Perspectives
June 2021∣Youth Hong Kong
Saving food from landfills l “Sell by” and “best before by” dates can be confusing and can often lead to far more wasted food than is justifiable. l Safe options for environmentally-aware consumers are a welcome solution. l Terence Hon, co-founder of GreenPrice, explains how his company’s retail outlets make it possible for food that is near its expiry date can be sold at a discount and eaten while it is still good to eat.
l 五花八門的食物標籤例如「保質期限」和「此 日期前最佳」容易造成混亂，甚至導致不必要 的食物浪費。 l 著重環保意識的顧客或有其他安全可靠的新 出路。 l 綠 惜 超 市（GreenPrice）創 辦 人 之 一 韓 駿 謙 （Terence）分享其零售店如何以優惠價格售賣 將會過期，但仍可安全食用的食品。
We serve as the last mile disposal outlet to lighten the burden on the local environment.
Should we buy food that is near its sell-by date? That’s a good question and one that Terence Hon and the co-founders of GreenPrice take to heart. Their startup sells prepackaged food and other products with date labels that are near to expiry. The goal is to save them from landfills. Founded in Hong Kong in 2016 and based on an idea that began life as an entry for a social innovation competition, GreenPrice has come a long way in five years. “We have five outlets selling surplus and short-dated stock sourced both locally and overseas,” Terence explains. “Our aim is to reduce waste while offering products at much lower prices.” A quick look at the company’s website proves his point. Popular snacks, honey and breakfast cereals are available at 24
half-price. A bottle of Dettol hand-wash liquid is going for HK$10, almost a quarter of the original price. “Our products can’t be sold at the regular price because of the date label or because packaging is slightly damaged. However, “best before” dates on packaging are there to give you clues regarding freshness, taste, fragrance and texture. “If stored properly, many prepackaged goods are safe for consumption beyond the dates on the labels,” he continues. Over 3,200 tonnes of food waste are produced in Hong Kong each day. Retailers and distributors dispose of many millions of expired food items. “We serve as the last mile disposal outlet to lighten the burden on the local environment.” says Terence. His clients understand what is at issue and they can exercise independent judgement at GreenPrice stores in Central, Wan Chai and Quarry Bay, in Kwun Tong and Kwai Fong. “Our target customers are mostly middle-class professionals in their late 20s to early 40s. They are environmentally aware.” Most GreenPrice customers buy mainly prepackaged food and snacks, as well as nutrition supplements, skin care products and luxury brand cosmetics sourced at duty free or specialty shops.
