2 Hong Kong MTR disruptions may be linked, expert says
Two rush-hour disruptions at Hong Kong’s MTR Lam Tin station within 15 hours could be connected if they involved the same power supply circuit or exposed procedural shortcomings, an engineering expert has said, with a lawmaker urging the rail operator to offer more targeted compensation to affected passengers. The first disruption came on Tuesday evening, when an insulating rubber component in a…
In a bid to make recycling more convenient, Hongkonger Jorch Wong Ching-hei abandoned his advertising career in 2019 to establish The Loops Hong Kong. The company addresses the inconvenience that prevents people from recycling, a common barrier that led Wong to create a one-stop service where customers can place various recyclables together. Initially, Wong taught himself coding, spending a year learning online to develop an early version of the platform used to arrange collections.
The Loops now accepts over 40 categories of recyclable materials, tackling waste that is harder to handle. Hong Kong's shift towards waste-to-energy treatment has opened a new business area for The Loops. Liquid-heavy waste, which can reduce incineration efficiency, prompts The Loops to separate liquids from packaging before disposal.
The company cleans the packaging and returns it to recycling channels, reducing overall incineration volume. It also processes drinks, dairy products, cosmetics, and other liquid-filled goods.
Technology plays a significant role in The Loops' approach to another major challenge businesses face. Many firms know they generate large amounts of rubbish but lack detailed information about what is being thrown away. The company's newest service uses cameras and artificial intelligence (AI) to analyse clients' waste streams, categorising rubbish, estimating recyclable proportions, and tracking when and where specific waste is generated. This helps companies determine where recycling points are needed most.
Corporate clients can access collection records and reports through The Loops' system, and service packages and prices are set out in advance. Although the government scrapped a waste-charging scheme in 2024 due to insufficient social support, Wong remains optimistic about its eventual implementation. He believes that such a policy could make recycling more attractive to households and businesses, despite Hong Kong being behind several Asian cities in using charging to encourage waste reduction.
The Spirit of Hong Kong Awards, established in 2013, recognize unsung heroes and organisations whose work might go unnoticed. The Loops' innovative approach to recycling has been nominated for this year's award, highlighting the importance of addressing urban waste. Wong's willingness to learn new skills, from machinery and software to repairs and sales, has been crucial to the company's success.
Written by urgent.news from South China Morning Post - Hong Kong's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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