As global waste and resource depletion reach critical levels, circular design has emerged as a transformative approach to creating products that are built to last and wont end up in the landfill. This session will explore how designing for durability, repairability, and material circularity can break the “take-make-waste” cycle while unlocking business value through cost savings, brand loyalty, and resilience to resource scarcity. Discover real-world innovations across industries and learn how collaboration between designers, businesses and policymakers can scale these solutions and shift consumer mindsets toward valuing longevity over disposability.

Learnings

• How can businesses encourage consumers to prioritise product longevity and participate in repair/recycling programs?
• What policy changes or incentives could accelerate the transition to circular business models?
• What are some examples of exemplary circular product design?

Post-event Actions

• Explore partnership with material innovators or repair networks to implement circular solutions.
• Conduct a circularity audit or your product portfolio to identify redesign opportunities for durability and recyclability.
• Develop customer training to highlight the value of long-lasting, repairable products.

As the global fashion and textile industry faces mounting pressure from consumers and regulators to reduce waste and pollution, the shift from a traditional linear production model to a sustainable circular economy has become imperative. Natural fibres, particularly wool, offer a compelling solution to this challenge. Wool’s unique circular properties—its renewability, biodegradability, and suitability for reuse and recycling—position it as a vital resource for driving innovation and sustainability across the supply chain. This panel will explore how research, development, and innovation are unlocking the potential of natural fibres to accelerate the transition towards circularity. From advancements in fibre recycling technologies to sustainable design practices and regenerative farming methods, wool provides an inspiring blueprint for reducing the industry’s environmental footprint.

Learnings

• Recognise the role of natural fibres in circularity and how their inherent benefits contribute to sustainable practices across the supply chain.
• How supply chain stakeholders can collaborate and innovate to create more circular global value chains that address regulatory and pressing environmental needs.
• Learn about organisations programmes and initiatives and how to get involved in order to accelerate the industry’s transition to a nature positive future.

Post-Event Actions

• To connect with participating organisations to learn more about their fibres that help support the circular economy.
• To connect with others along the supply chain to activate more collaboration opportunities.
• To consider using more natural fibres in their every day lives and businesses.

This panel discussion explores building effective collaborations for circular supply chains in Hong Kong. Experts will discuss transitioning from linear to circular models, highlighting the economic and environmental benefits while addressing Hong Kong’s unique context. Key topics include cross-supply chain collaboration, leveraging technology, the role of government policy, and engaging consumers.

Featuring diverse perspectives from business, and civil society, the panel provides a high-level overview and practical insights into the circular economy landscape. Attendees will gain insights into best practices and the importance of collaboration for a sustainable Hong Kong economy.

Learnings

• Understand the critical shift from linear to circular supply chain models, and recognize the economic and environmental benefits this transition can bring to businesses in Hong Kong.
• Explore the importance of cross-supply chain collaboration among businesses, and civil society to create effective circular systems. Share successful cases studies to enhance resource efficiency and innovation.
• Gain insights into how technology can facilitate the circular economy by improving transparency and efficiency. Discuss the role of government policies in supporting circular initiatives and the ways businesses can engage consumers in sustainable practices.

Post-event Actions

• Initiate discussions with stakeholders to create partnerships that promote circular supply chain practices.
• Assess current supply chain practices to identify gaps and prioritise areas for transitioning to circular models.
• Explore and pilot technologies like data analytics and blockchain to enhance supply chain visibility and efficiency.

This session will examine case studies that have applied circular practices to foster resource efficiency in the built environment and further contribute to Hong Kong carbon neutrality roadmap.

This session will introduce a practical framework leading to effective environmental sustainability management in hotels and share the implementation experience in China and beyond. As sustainability becomes an increasingly critical priority for the hospitality industry, understanding how to integrate eco-friendly practices into daily operations is essential for long-term success. In this session, participants will gain insights into a step-by-step approach designed to help hotels minimize their environmental impact while maintaining operational efficiency and guest satisfaction. Drawing on real-world examples from leading hotels from across the region, we will explore the challenges faced, solutions implemented, and measurable outcomes achieved throughout the journey toward sustainability. Attendees will also have the opportunity to discuss best practices, innovative technologies, and collaborative strategies that can be adapted to different market contexts. Whether you are looking to start your sustainability journey or enhance your current initiatives, this session will provide actionable guidance and inspiration to drive meaningful change within your organization.

Learnings

• Learn a step-by-step framework for sustainable hotel operations.
• Explore real-world case studies and solutions from leading hotels in China and the region.
• Discover best practices and technologies for sustainability in diverse markets.

Post-event Actions

• Reflect on the adoption of the practical framework as a self-monitoring tool for your business to improve environmental sustainability management.
• Attend seminars on digital transformation for business sustainability for tourism and hospitality SMEs.
• Engage in the National Green Hotel evaluation organized by the China Hospitality Association annually.

Most of our food and other products derived from nature are imported. While it is to be expected that most of our impacts on biodiversity will occur outside Hong Kong’s boundaries, these impacts are disproportionately high even for a city-dominated region. According to the most recent WWF Hong Kong Ecological Footprint report data (2021), we would need 4.4 Earths if everyone adopted our lifestyle. Food production accounts for nearly 40% of this total, and per capita animal protein consumption is one of Asia’s highest. While a handful of sustainable food topics have received widespread attention, the importance of food systems in their full breadth has been underplayed. This session will unpack the main issues and provide guidance on how to get started on a universally important topic.

Learnings

• The breadth of food issues related to sustainability
• The depth of Hong Kong’s love for animal protein
• Untangling food systems at a company level
• How industry works through the complexities around seafood

Post-Event Actions

• Take a fresh look at food in relation to sustainability, from both a corporate and individual level
• Use the session insights to identify some entry points for your company to expand its work on food systems

The food and hospitality industries are under increasing pressure to tackle packaging waste, as conventional materials like paper and plastic contribute to environmental harm and growing consumer concern. In Hong Kong, the implementation of the single-use plastic ban presents unique challenges, raising important questions about effective waste management. This panel will explore innovative alternatives that are transforming the hospitality sector and examine how policy can play a supportive role. Experts will discuss advancements in materials, circular design, and supply chain collaboration that aim to reduce waste while preserving functionality and cost efficiency.

Learnings

• How can businesses collaborate across sectors to create closed-loop packaging solutions?
• What challenges and opportunities are there to create more sustainable packaging solutions?
• What role does policy play in accelerating the shift to sustainable packaging?

Post-event Actions

• Educate stakeholders on the lifecycle benefits of sustainable packaging.
• Initiate partnerships and agreements with material innovators or reuse platforms to test new packaging models.

Hong Kong is facing a dual crisis of overflowing landfills and rising energy demands, making waste-to-energy (WtE) solutions a critical pathway to sustainability. This panel will examine ow cutting edge technologies can transform the city’s 5.6 million tonnes of annual municipal waste into renewable energy, heat or recycled materials. With Hong Kong’s first Integrated Waste Management Facility set to start operations in 2025 and set to support government’s push for circular economy, this session will explore how industries, policy makers and innovators can collaborate to overcome challenges. Experts will spotlight opportunities in policy alignment, cross sector partnerships, and decentralised WtE systems tailored to Hong Kong’s dense urban environment.

Learnings

• How can different industries integrate decentralised WtE solutions to reduce waste and energy costs simultaneously?
• What is the government policy to support the WtE transition?
• What developments are happening in this area in Hong Kong and regionally?

Post-event Actions

• Initiate dialogues with waste management firms, tech providers, and policymakers to explore WtE projects.
• Understand the the need for WtE solutions in Hong Kong and what this would mean for local businesses.