Towards Sustainable Sports: Large Scale Waste Decomposition System In Operation for Hong Kong Sevens 2025 at Kai Tak Sports Park

(27 March 2025, Hong Kong) Kai Tak Sports Park (KTSP) has always prioritized sustainability, incorporating carbon-reduction elements into every stage of its design, construction, and operations to create an eco-friendly, low-carbon Park for events. KTSP recently introduced a large-scale waste decomposition system from South Korea, which will be in operation during the 2025 Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens (HK7s), following a successful trial, to process food waste and paper-based waste from Kai Tak Stadium. The system can convert over 200 tonnes of food waste, paper cups, and other paper containers into compost annually. Notably, approximately 85% of the solid waste treated by the system will evaporate as water vapour, significantly reducing landfill disposal during major events and advancing Hong Kong’s sustainable sports goals.

As the city’s premier integrated sports and entertainment hub, the Sports Park has implemented comprehensive waste recycling and management measures to minimize solid waste generation. Beyond providing waste-sorting and recycling bins to uphold the "3R Concepts" (Recycle, Reuse, Reduce), KTSP actively explores innovative technologies to enhance waste reduction. This year’s HK7s, held at KTSP for the first time from 28 March to 30 March (Friday to Sunday), will see in operation a new microbial decomposition system. The system can process up to 600 kg of daily waste—including food waste, paper cups, and paper containers, converting it into nutrient-rich compost.

Operating 24/7, the system uses heating, agitation, deodorization, and sterilization to transform 600 kg of waste into 100 kg of compost, with the remainder emitted as vapour, drastically cutting on-site waste during events.

John Sharkey, CEO of Kai Tak Sports Park stated: "During the tournament, all 33 catering outlets in Kai Tak Stadium, along with Kai Tak Mall, Dining Cove, and The Village, will offer diverse dining options for attendees. We will collect food waste, paper cups and paper containers for processing in this new system. We aim to deliver an electrifying HK7s experience while minimizing waste, supporting Hong Kong’s event economy and carbon-reduction efforts.”

Additional Sustainability Features:

• Energy Efficiency: Over 10% of rooftop areas are equipped with solar panels for hot water and electricity, reducing annual carbon emissions by ~1,000 tonnes.
• Water Conservation: A rainwater harvesting system meets 25% of irrigation needs across KTSP
• Green Spaces: With 30% greenery coverage and 1,000+ trees planted, KTSP mitigates urban heat island effects and enhances community livability.