Hello, I’m Rio Tam, one of the committee members of the SDGs group at Sumitomo Mitsui Trust (Hong Kong) Limited. On 23 July 2025, 22 colleagues from SMTHK gathered during lunch to participate in an inspiring Food Waste Jewelry Workshop, organized with Ways Out Hong Kong—a social venture empowering young single mothers through upcycling food waste into jewelry, creating both environmental and social impact.

The event highlighted how creativity and social responsibility can drive meaningful change, aligning with SDG Goals 5 (Gender Equality) and 13 (Climate Action). We discussed food waste management policies worldwide, comparing South Korea’s successful tax-based system—reducing waste by over 80%—with Hong Kong’s reward-based approach. These insights underscored the importance of policy design in shaping waste reduction behaviors across diverse cultural contexts.

A key focus was on the environmental impact of food waste in landfills, where lack of oxygen produces harmful methane gases. With limited recycling infrastructure in Hong Kong, the session emphasized the urgent need for community-driven, scalable waste solutions.

The true magic happened during the hands-on activity where participants crafted jewelry from food waste such as coffee grounds, onion skins, carrots, red dragon fruit and garlic peels. Under expert guidance, we learned how to make beads and assemble bracelets, transforming waste into art and reinforcing small actions contribute to larger sustainability goals, fostering creativity while promoting environmental consciousness.

Beyond environmental awareness, the workshop showcased social inclusion by providing employment opportunities to marginalized groups, particularly young single mothers, through upcycling initiatives. It demonstrated how collaboration, creativity, and community engagement can foster a greener and more equitable future.

This event reaffirmed that individual efforts—whether policy innovation or creative reuse—are essential in advancing sustainability and gender equality. It serves as a reminder that the most powerful change often begins with the smallest scraps. Together, we can turn trash into treasure and champion a greener, more inclusive world.