Cities play a crucial role in the circular economy. As urbanisation and economic growth continue, carbon emissions and resource use also increase. It is estimated that by 2030, 60% of the world's population will live in cities, accounting for 70% of global carbon emissions and over 60% of resource use. Over the years, the Hong Kong Government (‘Government’ hereof) proactively implemented and promoted measures to tackle waste challenges in Hong Kong. In 2021, the Government announced, “Waste Blueprint for Hong Kong 2035” (Blueprint) with the basis of “Use Less, Waste Less” and advocated the vision of “Waste Reduction • Resources Circulation • Zero Landfill”. To achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 in Hong Kong, building up a circular economy would be able to reduce both waste and carbon emissions. The disposal of E-waste and furniture in Hong Kong has become a growing issue in recent years. According to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Hong Kong produced over 150,000 tonnes of electronic waste in 2019, which is approximately 0.29% of global e-waste. Additionally, around 1,800 tonnes of furniture waste are disposed of in Hong Kong every day, making up nearly 16.1% of municipal solid waste by weight in 2021.
In order to reduce the amount of e-waste and furniture that is thrown away in Hong Kong, the Government should encourage the circular economy and discourage products from becoming waste. Repair and reuse (R&R) should be an integral part of the circular economy, as it prolongs the lifespan of products, keeps them in use for a longer period of time, and reduces the need for raw materials used to make replacement products. However, promoting the concept of repair and reuse in Hong Kong comes with its own set of challenges. There are currently no regulations regarding R&R, and companies generally do not prioritise making their products easy to repair. Their business models mostly rely on selling new products, and there is also a lack of infrastructure for repair due to space limitations and high labour costs. To achieve the goal of transitioning to a circular economy, it is important to promote a culture of R&R to the public in Hong Kong.
