Smart Food Waste Bins
Since April 2026, the HKUST campus is equipped with 19 Smart Food Waste Bins located across student halls and staff residences, as Hong Kong's first academic institution's self-financed food waste smart recycling bin program. The bins enable easy food waste recycling using the GREEN$ mobile app.
HKUST produces around 1.4 metric tons of food waste on campus each day, with approximately 5.7% of that coming from student and staff residences. Help separate and recycle your food to ensure valuable organic resources can be recovered.
Currently, collected food waste is sent to O·PARK1 in Tuen Mun, where it’s converted into compost and biogas for electricity. In the longer term, HKUST is working to bring food-waste treatment on campus to create a true circular system—a key objective of the Life Beyond the Bin campaign.
Smart Food Waste Bin Locations
How to Use
-
Download the GREEN$ mobile app and sign in or create an account.
-
Tap the GREEN$ button at the bottom of the app homepage and select “Recycle.”
-
Scan your QR Code at the Smart Food Waste Recycling Bin and deposit your food waste.
* Note: If you do not have the GREEN$ mobile app, you can use the public QR code attached to the bins to activate the Smart Food Waste Recycling Bin.
For more information, refer to the Environmental Protection Department’s food waste recycling guide.
Redeem your GREEN$ points for household essentials or supermarket vouchers at GREEN@COMMUNITY Stores or on the app! Learn more here.
By recycling regularly, you not only earn points but also contribute to reducing food waste in your community. The more often you use the app and bins, the more rewards you can accumulate, making recycling both environmentally friendly and personally beneficial.
HKUST Food Waste Recycling Guide
Launch Campaign: Recycle from 1 April – 31 May 2026 for Extra Rewards!
To celebrate the launch, campus residents who recycle food waste at least three times using the Smart Food Waste Bins between 1 April and 31 May 2026 will be eligible for an extra gift.
Collect your gift at the Living Lab Hub redemption counter on 2-4 June 2026, 12-3 pm. Be sure to present your GREEN$ mobile app to show your recycling records!
For any enquiries, please contact green@ust.hk.