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The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) has successfully tested out two carbon reduction measures – an Artificial Intelligence-driven (AI) Reusable Meal Container Lending System and a Water-Saving Smart Showerhead.
Both were developed under the leadership of the Jockey Club Sustainable Consumer Programme (JCSCCP) earlier this year and will be fully implemented on the campuses of all eight publicly-funded university members of the Hong Kong Sustainable Campus Consortium (HKSCC) in the autumn of 2023.
Excessive consumption of disposables and water resources not only places a significant strain on the environment but also increases carbon emissions, exacerbating global warming. To promote sustainable campus development, HKUST took the lead to the trial of a Water-Saving Smart Showerhead in February, saving close to one million litres of water, equivalent to the average daily water consumption of seven thousand and seven hundred Hong Kong residents. The water project was soon followed by an AI Reusable Meal Container Lending System in mid-June, which has already eliminated over 300 disposable lunchboxes from our landfills in a relatively short period of time.
The Director of HKUST’s Sustainability/Net-Zero Office and Chair of the JCSCCP Steering Committee expressed that the key to these measures is to facilitate users in changing their behaviours in a fun and easy way. He highlighted that feedback from users has been positive, as they find these interventions interesting and attention-grabbing. He further added that recent advancements in AI, IoT, and FinTech have enabled them to develop a truly 21st-century solution that reflects the innovative spirit of their institutions.
The two measures are set to be fully implemented across all eight members’ campuses of the HKSCC in the autumn of 2023. To promote the adoption of reusable meal containers and water-saving practices among students, these initiatives will be encouraged through workshops, various challenges, and reward schemes, contributing to the advancement of sustainable campus development.
The AI Reusable Meal Container Lending System, a pioneering initiative among universities in the Asia-Pacific region, combines distribution and reverse vending machines to lend and return reusable meal containers. These machines, available 24/7, can each provide 120 lunchboxes.
Equipped with internal cameras and AI Object Recognition software, users can borrow a lunchbox by paying a HK$20 deposit using their Octopus Card, which will be fully refunded upon returning the container. The used containers are professionally cleaned by a dishwashing partner, ensuring they are sterilised before being reissued by the lending machine. Additionally, campus caterers offer discounts to incentivise the use of BYO meal containers, leading to personal savings for users.
In the realm of water-saving technology, HKUST introduced the Water-Saving Smart Showerhead in student halls from February. This innovative showerhead features an integrated water-powered LED light that changes colour based on water usage, encouraging users to take shorter showers. With a low water flow rate of 6.6 litters per minute, the smart showerhead outperforms even the highest-rated conventional showerhead under the Water Efficiency Labeling Scheme, resulting in up to 26% water savings. Real-time data, including average shower times and volumes, are displayed online and in participating halls’ lobbies, promoting water-saving awareness among students.
Currently, 85 smart showerheads have been installed in two halls of residence, benefiting over 1,000 students annually. An additional 895 smart showerheads will be installed across 17 student residence halls among the eight campuses of the HKSCC, expected to cater to nearly 6,000 students.
Funded by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, the JCSCCP drives various campus improvement and education initiatives in its member institutions, leveraging cutting-edge technology to cultivate responsible and mindful consumers. Housed within the Sustainability/Net-Zero Office at HKUST, the project management team oversees the coordination of JCSCCP activities.
