The planned organic waste treatment facility in North Lantau, which can handle 200 tonnes of food waste daily, will be commissioned by 2013-14.

Secretary for the Environment Edward Yau told lawmakers today the Government is planning the development of the modern facility at Siu Ho Wan. By using biological technology, source-separated food waste can be turned into useful resources like compost and biogas.

Almost 3,000 tonnes of food waste is disposed of in landfills daily, down from 3,300 tonnes in 2007. About 70% originates from households and 30% from the commercial and industrial sectors.

Mr Yau said the Government has introduced a good waste recycling partnership scheme with the commercial and industrial sectors to promote good food waste management practices.

"We will jointly produce a code of practice on the management of food waste with [the] sectors to assist them in avoiding and reducing food waste, and to separate food waste at source," he said, adding the participants' experience will be consolidated as guidelines will be disseminated to the sectors through the internet, pamphlets, workshops and seminars.

To further reduce food waste and disposable lunchboxes the Environment and Education Bureaus will invite schools to sign a Green Lunch Charter this year.

The Environment & Conservation Fund has reserved $50 million to help schools conduct retrofitting works and install the facilities necessary for implementing "on-site meal portioning". Applications have already started. New school premises will also be designed to facilitate such an implementation at school.