Spirit of Hong Kong Awards: sifting through trash with civic-minded savvy
Hong Kong entrepreneur Kenny Lam wants to improve waste management standards and make better recycling practices a way of life in the city
When Kenny Lam Kan-kei resettled in Hong Kong from Britain in 2019, he was shocked to see the poor waste management system in the city and lack of recycling culture.
Lam noticed that recycling facilities were poorly managed, with collection points in disarray and recyclables often mixed with regular waste.
“Hong Kong’s three-colour recycling bins were just a mess. Everything was thrown in together, defeating the purpose of recycling,” he recalled.
This lack of organisation and infrastructure contrasted sharply with what he had seen in Britain, where he had lived for 30 years, and where recycling had become a commonplace practice supported by clear government regulations.
“Over there, the government mandates sorting recyclables, but everyone does it as a routine part of life,” said Lam, who worked in restaurants in the United Kingdom but decided to return to Hong Kong with his family so his children would be immersed in Chinese culture.
“Coming back here, I realised that the recycling system was very poor, so I had an idea. I thought, why not help my community and family, see if I can turn it into a business?”
