香港中文大學社會創新研究中心（CSIS）以人文與藝術的角度介入減廢議題，推動跨界的行為改變。今年，CSIS首次與香港餐飲業龍頭企業美心集團攜手合作，聯同知名設計師、環保物料生產商等，舉辦了「BEST with LESS 香港大專飲食業可持續包裝設計比賽」。經評審脫穎而出的八組入圍作品，於 9 月 21 至 24 日於沙田新城市廣場展出。活動於9 月 22 日公佈比賽結果，頒獎典禮的嘉賓有環境及生態局局長謝展寰，美心集團首席營運官（香港及澳門）蕭德威先生，以及超過上百個來自飲食界、學術界、設計界、環保界等專業人士。

此次比賽廣邀全港專上院校學生參與，徵集環保設計方案，通過採用紙質或甘蔗渣等素材設計餐盒、杯、杯蓋、醬料盒等，並研究如何減少外賣包裝。美心集團承諾會採用優秀且具實用性與成本效益的環保餐盒設計方案。

社會創新研究中心為是次比賽的顧問及研究機構，比賽的概念及計畫大綱均由CSIS設計，並獲得美心集團大力支持。為了讓參賽團隊了解法例的要求和顧客、營運的需要，暑假期間舉辦了培訓工作坊。研究中心為參賽同學以及美心集團員工提供培訓，介紹減塑的全球視野，並帶領同學到餐廳實地考察，以獲取顧客及前線店員的意見，確保設計方案的可行性。

社會創新研究中心主任，文化與宗教學系副教授胡嘉明認為這次BEST with LESS的活動是為中文大學文學院、社會科學院，飲食業、餐具生產商，和非政府組織搭建了一個共同減廢的橋樑，喚起顧客、業界及社會大眾從一個日常飲食的角度探討減塑減廢的解決方案，同時將人文關懷，藝術美學化為設計行動，減少即棄塑料污染。

環境及生態局局長謝展寰在致辭中表示：自今年4月實行首階段走塑措施，市民的生活習慣正逐漸改變，香港的「走塑文化」正在形成；當下全球面臨氣候變化的影響加劇，呼籲各界加快「綠色轉型」。香港中文大學香港亞太研究所所長馮應謙教授致辭：「Best with Less比賽正正呼應中文大學的《中大2025》策略計劃，強調創新、社會責任和可持續發展。我們同時期待政府在減廢減塑上有更清晰的路線圖，說好香港的減排故事。」

BEST with LESS的項目展覽得到香港中文大學香港亞太研究所，社會責任及可持續發展處資助，設計作品已經開始在中大利黃瑤璧樓地下展出，及後也會在各大專院校巡迴展出。

The Centre for Social Innovation Studies (CSIS) has been an active advocate for environmental education that integrates humanities and the arts to foster cross-sectoral behavioral change. This year marks a significant milestone for CSIS as it embarks on its inaugural collaboration with Maxim’s Group, a leading catering enterprise in Hong Kong. Together with renowned designers, eco-material manufacturers, and other stakeholders, they launched the “BEST with LESS Hong Kong Tertiary Institutions Sustainable Packaging (F&B Industry) Design Competition.”

The competition showcases innovative designs aimed at promoting sustainability in the food and beverage packaging industry. The eight shortlisted designs from the first round of judging were exhibited at Shatin New Town Plaza from September 21 to 24. The results of the competition were announced during the award ceremony on September 22, attended by guests including Mr. Tse Chin-wan, Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr. Keith Siu, Chief Operating Officer (Hong Kong and Macau) of Maxim’s Group, and over a hundred professionals from academia, the design industry, and the environmental sector.

Students from various tertiary institutions across Hong Kong submitted eco-conscious design proposals, focusing on using sustainable materials such as paper and bagasse to create solutions for lunch boxes, cups, lids, and sauce containers. Outstanding designs that are practical and cost-effective may be adopted by Maxim’s Group in their restaurants.

CSIS served as the consultant and researcher for this competition, designing the overall concept and project outline with strong support from Maxim’s Group. During the summer, CSIS organized a series of training workshops to help participating teams understand the new single-use plastics ban policy, as well as the needs of customers and restaurant operations. CSIS also introduced global perspectives on plastic reduction and led students on field visits to restaurants, where they gathered feedback from customers and frontline staff, ensuring the feasibility of their designs.

Prof. Wu Ka Ming, Director of the Centre for Social Innovation Studies and Associate Professor in the Department of Cultural and Religious Studies at CUHK, emphasized that the “BEST with LESS” competition has created an innovative platform for collaboration among various sectors, including CUHK’s Faculty of Arts and Faculty of Social Sciences, the catering industry, tableware manufacturers, and NGOs. This initiative encourages stakeholders—customers, businesses, and the general public—to explore waste reduction solutions through the lens of daily dietary practices. At the same time, it transforms humanistic and artistic values into practical design prototypes to reduce single-use plastic pollution.

In his speech, Mr. Tse Chin-wan, Secretary for Environment and Ecology, noted that since the first phase of Hong Kong’s plastic-reduction measures was implemented in April this year, citizens’ habits have gradually shifted, contributing to the formation of a “plastic-reduction culture” in the city. Amidst the growing global impact of climate change, he called for all sectors to accelerate the “green transition.” Prof. Anthony Fung, Director of the Hong Kong Institute of Asia-Pacific Studies (HKIAPS), remarked, “The BEST with LESS competition aligns with ‘CUHK 2025’ strategic plan, which emphasizes innovation, social responsibility, and sustainable development. We also look forward to the government providing a clearer roadmap for waste and plastic reduction to a compelling story of Hong Kong’s emission reduction.”

With the support and sponsorship of HKIAPS and Social Responsibility and Sustainable Development Office, the design works are currently on display at the ground floor of Esther Lee Building at CUHK and will be showcased at various tertiary institutions in the coming months.