Hong Kong News

Nonpartisan, Noncommercial, unconstrained.
Wednesday, Mar 22, 2023

Converting yard waste into resources

The yard waste recycling center Y·PARK is leading the way in promoting the recycling of suitable yard waste that can be transformed into useful wooden products, stunning works of art as well as the cultivation of Lingzhi mushrooms.
The recycling facility at Tsang Tsui of Tuen Mun mainly receives tree trunks within six meters long and the bole’s attached tree branches, twigs and leaves. It is equipped with various installations, including wood shredders that can convert suitable yard waste into numerous practical items like wooden boards and beams for different recycling purposes.

Dickson Yan, a wood artist from Hong Kong, transforms yard waste handled by Y·PARK into unique wooden products and art pieces with skilful craftsmanship and creativity.

“I have been a wood artist since five years ago. Everything started with Super Typhoon Mangkhut when we had a lot of fallen trees everywhere. So I brought some of the nicest type of wood home and then started to play around with it. Of course, I learnt some things from YouTube and some of my friends believe that my artwork is pretty good, so I just kept working on it.

“Our wood artists' creations are not just about making furniture. It depends on the size of the wood. They can be shaped into trophies or decorations. There are all kinds of possibilities,” he explained.

By recycling yard waste, he hopes he can play a part in promoting the importance of environmental protection.

As a prime example of its commitment to recycling, the Environmental Protection Department has successfully collaborated with a local Lingzhi mushroom farm to use wood chips from Y·PARK to cultivate the fungus, which is then manufactured into different products.

Lingzhi mushroom farm founder Timothy Cheung described the arrangement of receiving about 20 tonnes of wood chips from the yard waste recycling center every month as a green-worthy strategy.

“We will then pack them into small bags. After these bags are sterilized completely, we will start to cultivate Lingzhi mushrooms.

“In my view, if the general public does not actively use the recycled yard material, it will be disposed of in landfills which eventually causes waste.”

Since the commencement of operation in June 2021, Y·PARK has processed more than 15,000 tonnes of yard waste, a daily average of about 30 tonnes.

Most yard waste comes from clearance works in routine vegetation maintenance and public works projects.

Environmental Protection Department Senior Environmental Protection Officer Keith Lai pointed out that wood chips are the largest amount of recyclable material the department produces and the bonus is, it can be used for agricultural and gardening purposes.

“For the successful operation of our recycling facility, we need to secure good quality sources of yard waste and also secure outlets for our yard waste products.

“We play a proactive role in staying in contact with government departments, developers, landscape contractors and organic farmers to encourage them to use more wood chips,” he added.

To further source outlets for wood chips, the department is developing a pilot plant that can convert yard waste into biochar, a charcoal produced from plant matter.

There are various applications of biochar, such as soil conditioners, adsorption materials for filtering pollutants, composting enhancers and building material additives.

With a resource center, an upcycling products showroom and a wood workshop, Y·PARK organizes guided tours for the public to gain more knowledge about the utilization of wood.

People can also gain hands-on experience with turning wood waste into useful products.
Newsletter

Related Articles

Hong Kong News
Close
0:00
0:00
Credit Suisse's Scandalous History Resulted in an Obvious Collapse - It's time for regulators who fail to do their job to be held accountable and serve as an example by being behind bars.
Goldman Sachs cuts outlook for European bank debt over Credit Suisse crisis
Paris Rioting vs Macron anti democratic law
'Sexual Fantasy' Assignment At US School Outrages Parents
The US government has charged Chinese businessman Guo Wengui with leading a $1 billion fraud scheme that cheated thousands of followers out of their money.
Credit Suisse to borrow $54 billion from Swiss central bank
The BBC problem about China
Russian Hackers Preparing New Cyber Assault Against Ukraine
"Will Fly Wherever International Law Allows": US Warns Russia After Drone Incident
If this was in Tehran, Moscow or Hong Kong
Announcing GPT-4
TRUMP: "Standing before you today, I am the only candidate who can make this promise: I will prevent World War III."
China is calling out the US, UK, and Australia on their submarine pact, claiming they are going further down a dangerous road
A brief banking situation report
We are witnessing widespread bank fails and the president just gave a 5 min speech then walked off camera.
Donald Trump's asked by Tucker Carlson question on if the U.S. should support regime change in Russia?.
'No relation to the American SVB': India's SVC Bank acts to calm depositors amid brand name confusion.
Good news: The U.S. government is now guaranteeing all deposits, held by, Silicon Valley Bank, and the funds are available as of today
Silicon Valley Bank exec was Lehman Brothers CFO
In a potential last-ditch effort, HSBC is considering a rescue deal to save Silicon Valley Bank UK from insolvency
Saudi Arabia has announced a major breakthrough in diplomacy with Iran after two years of intense talks
Elon Musk Is Planning To Build A Town In Texas For His Employees
The Silicon Valley Bank’s collapse effect is spreading around the world, affecting startup companies across the globe
City officials in Berlin announced on Thursday that all swimmers at public pools will soon be allowed to swim topless
Fitness scam
Market Chaos as USDC Loses Peg to USD after $3.3 Billion Reserves Held by Silicon Valley Bank Closed.
A primitive judge in Australia sparked outrage when he told a breastfeeding woman to leave his courtroom for being “a distraction"
Barcelona is feeling the heat as they face corruption charges over payments to former vice-president of Spain's referees' committee, Jose Maria Enriquez Negreira
Banking regulators close SVB, the largest bank failure since the financial crisis
Silicon Valley Bank: Struggles Threaten Tech Startup Ecosystem"
The unelected UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, an immigrant himself, defends new controversial crackdown on illegal migration
Old clip of Bill Gates saying Ukraine is a big, fat, corrupt sinkhole is going viral
Man’s penis amputated by mistake after he’s wrongly diagnosed with a tumour
2 universities in Hong Kong embrace use of ChatGPT, other AI tools
In a major snub to Downing Street's Silicon Valley dreams, UK chip giant Arm has dealt a serious blow to the government's economic strategy by opting for a US listing
Missing Chinese banker was working to set up Singapore family office
Hong Kong ditches Covid mask mandate after 945 days
Xi Jinping and His Wife Meet with Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni and Queen Mother Norodom Monineath Sihanouk
How do stolen goods end up on Amazon, eBay and Facebook Marketplace?
It's the question on everyone's lips: could a four-day workweek be the future of employment?
Is Gold the Ultimate Safe Haven Asset in Times of Uncertainty?
Spain officials quit over trains that were too wide for tunnels...
Hello. Here is our news digest from London.
Corruption and Influence Buying Uncovered in International Mainstream Media: Investigation Reveals Growing Disinformation Mercenaries
When it comes to Tesla vs Lamborghini, an empty vessel makes more noise
European MP Clare Daly condemns US attack on Nord Stream
Former U.S. President Carter will spend his remaining time at home and receive hospice care instead of medication
North Korea test-fires an intercontinental ballistic missile into the Sea of Japan west of Hokkaido
US bombed Nord Stream gas pipelines, claims investigative journalist Seymour Hersh
US Joins 15 NATO Nations in Largest Space Data Collection Initiative in History
×