How can Hong Kong, Macau, and the wider GBA move from a linear model of “take-make-dispose” to one that regenerates, recirculates, and reimagines value? This session explores the diverse social, policy, and economic drivers accelerating circular economy adoption across GBA and beyond.
Representatives from NGOs, corporates, and sustainability platforms will share practical experiences in promoting behavioral change, advancing community-based circular initiatives, and aligning local action with global frameworks. From food systems and materials to outreach, education, and procurement reform, this session highlights the potential for circularity to become not just a strategy — but a shared culture.

Learnings

• Learn how NGOs, businesses, and government can co-create effective circular strategies across sectors
• Understand the role of community outreach and education in shifting mindsets around reuse and resource value
• Discover examples of circular pilot programs in hospitality, urban planning, and education
• Explore policy incentives and institutional frameworks that support local circular ecosystems
• Identify common barriers and enablers when scaling grassroots circular efforts

Post-event Actions

• Share session insights within their organizations to spark internal discussions around circular practices
• Explore opportunities for CSR or education-based circular economy collaborations
• Participate in local or regional awareness campaigns aligned with circular goals
• Connect with cross-sector partners (e.g., NGOs, startups, educators) to co-design pilot projects
• Consider how procurement, operations, or public engagement strategies can embed circular principles

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.

As Hong Kong accelerates its transition toward a circular economy, Producer Responsibility Schemes (PRS) are gaining traction as a key policy tool to reduce waste, promote recycling, and drive sustainable product design. By placing the onus on producers to manage the lifecycle of their products—from production to post-consumer disposal—PRS can help shift Hong Kong’s waste management system from a linear to a circular model.

This session will explore the current and future landscape of PRS in Hong Kong. Speakers will examine the multifaceted challenges that come with designing and implementing effective PRS—from regulatory hurdles and infrastructure gaps to industry compliance and public participation.

Public acceptance is vital to the success of any PRS. The session will also discuss strategies to build awareness, encourage behavioural change, and foster a culture of shared responsibility among consumers. Drawing on successful models from around the world, the panel will compare international approaches to PRS and distill key lessons that can inform Hong Kong’s own path towards successful implementation of the scheme.

Learnings

• How can engagement and education drive acceptance and compliance amongst the public?
• What are the building blocks of a successful PRS framework, and how can they be tailored to Hong Kong’s unique context?
• What are the major implementation challenges—from logistics and enforcement to industry alignment?
• What international PRS success stories offer transferable insights for Hong Kong?

Post-event Actions

• Initiate conversations with producers, recyclers, and policymakers to fine-tune practical PRS mechanisms suitable for Hong Kong.
• Facilitate organizations’ readiness for PRS compliance and explore circular business opportunities.
• Stakeholders to develop or participate in public-facing campaigns or partnerships to support behavioural change and public participation in the PRS.

Waste management is no longer just about disposal—it is now a critical component of Hong Kong’s strategy to meet its climate commitments and sustainability goals. With waste management accounting for a relatively small yet significant portion of the city’s carbon emissions, improving how we handle, reduce, and recover waste is essential for lowering our carbon footprint and building a more resilient urban system.

This session will explore how an integrated and forward-looking waste management strategy can support Hong Kong’s carbon neutrality roadmap. From reducing landfill reliance and enhancing recycling systems to investing in low-carbon technologies and infrastructure, the panel will examine practical solutions and policy levers that can drive measurable impact.

Collaboration will definitely play a role in scaling these efforts. This session will bring together voices from different sectors of the society to explore how partnerships can unlock innovation, build capacity, and ensure that waste reduction efforts contribute meaningfully to the city’s wider sustainability ambitions.

Learnings

• What role does waste management play in Hong Kong’s carbon reduction strategy?
• How can advances in recycling, resource recovery, and waste avoidance reduce emissions?
• What are the challenges across different waste streams, and how can they be addressed?
• How can stakeholders—from government to community—work together to accelerate progress?

Post-event Actions

• Evaluate current waste practices and identify areas for carbon reduction.
• Connect with stakeholders to explore zero-waste and low-emission initiatives.

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.