Corporate News

Jockey Club funds Hong Konga£į?s first upcycling centre

10/10/2015

To promote the concept of minimising waste amid growing public concern about Hong Kong’s solid waste problem as the city is fast running out of landfill space, The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust has donated over HK$11 million to set up the St. James’ Settlement Jockey Club Upcycling Centre, the first of its kind in the city, and support its operation for three years. By converting waste materials into new products of value, this initiative is expected to provide job opportunities for about 1,000 ex-mentally ill people. In addition, a series of educational programmes will be held to raise public awareness of environmental protection.

Today (10 October), Club Steward Silas Yang joined Secretary for the Environment Wong Kam-sing; Social Welfare Department Chief Social Work Officer Lam Bing-chun; SJS Chairman Dr David Li; Chief Executive Officer Mrs Cynthia Luk; and Chaplain Rev. Lysta Leung to officiate at the opening ceremony of the St. James’ Settlement Jockey Club Upcycling Centre.

Mr Yang said the Club was delighted to support the establishment of the Centre, which helped upgrade and expand the scale of an earlier SJS upcycling project with better facilities. “The Centre provides a platform for new designers to revisualise discarded materials with their innovative ideas, and for ex-mentally ill workers to support the production of upcycling products,” he said. “Through upcycling, waste disposal can be reduced, while at the same time ex-mentally ill people can be given the chance to develop their potential fully. This helps build an inclusive society.”

The St. James’ Settlement Jockey Club Upcycling Centre, located in Stone Nullah Lane, Wan Chai, houses a materials library to store the waste products collected, and eight studios that will be rented to designers as work stations. By enabling ex-mentally ill workers to participate in the production process, it will expand the variety of training and job opportunities open to them. It is expected that some 10,000 pieces of upcycling products will be produced annually.

To spread the concept of upcycling, activities such as workshops, exhibitions, design competitions and corporate training programmes will be organised in the Centre, attracting over 7,000 participants every year. 

The Jockey Club is strongly committed to environmental protection and conservation. Besides the St. James’ Settlement Jockey Club Upcycling Centre, the Trust has supported CUHK to undertake a five-year community engagement programme, entitled CUHK Jockey Club Initiative Gaia, and set up the city’s first Jockey Club Museum of Climate Change; funded the carbon reduction partnerships with schools and NGOs; supported the Hong Chi Jockey Club Glass Bottle Recycling Project; Food Rescue and Hot Meal Assistance Programme; and the production of a TV documentary series.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club
Founded in 1884, The Hong Kong Jockey Club is a world-class horse racing operator and Hong Kong’s largest community benefactor, as well as one of Asia’s most prestigious membership clubs. Operating as a not-for-profit organisation, the Club allocates its surplus funds for charitable and community projects. In 2014/15, its donations reached a record $3.87 billion, and in the last decade alone it supported over 1,300 projects. The Club is also Hong Kong’s largest single taxpayer, contributing a record HK$20.05 billion in 2014/15. With about 70% of its revenue given back to society every year through donations and tax contributions, The Hong Kong Jockey Club delivers a significantly higher return to the community than any other racing and/or sports betting organisation in the world. As a socially responsible organisation, the Club helps Government combat illegal betting and advocates responsible gambling. The Club is also one of Hong Kong’s largest employers with over 24,000 full-time and part-time staff. Committed to global excellence and giving back to society, the Club is always “riding high together for a better future” with the people of Hong Kong.

Club Steward Silas Yang says the Club is delighted to support the establishment of the Centre, which helps upgrade an earlier SJS upcycling project with better facilities.
Club Steward Silas Yang says the Club is delighted to support the establishment of the Centre, which helps upgrade an earlier SJS upcycling project with better facilities.

Club Steward Silas Yang (3rd left) joins Secretary for the Environment Wong Kam-sing (3rd right); Social Welfare Department Chief Social Work Officer Lam Bing-chun (2nd right); SJS Chairman Dr David Li (2nd left); Chief Executive Officer Mrs Cynthia Luk (1st right); and Chaplain Rev. Lysta Leung (1st left) at the opening ceremony of the St. Jamesa£į? Settlement Jockey Club Upcycling Centre.
Club Steward Silas Yang (3rd left) joins Secretary for the Environment Wong Kam-sing (3rd right); Social Welfare Department Chief Social Work Officer Lam Bing-chun (2nd right); SJS Chairman Dr David Li (2nd left); Chief Executive Officer Mrs Cynthia Luk (1st right); and Chaplain Rev. Lysta Leung (1st left) at the opening ceremony of the St. Jamesa£į? Settlement Jockey Club Upcycling Centre.

Club Steward Silas Yang (right) is presented with a souvenir by SJS Chairman Dr David Li (left) as a token of thanks for the Cluba£į?s long-standing support to SJS.
Club Steward Silas Yang (right) is presented with a souvenir by SJS Chairman Dr David Li (left) as a token of thanks for the Cluba£į?s long-standing support to SJS.

Photos 4, 5, 6: <br>
Officiating guests tour the St. Jamesa£į? Settlement Jockey Club Upcycling Centre.
Photos 4, 5, 6:
Officiating guests tour the St. Jamesa£į? Settlement Jockey Club Upcycling Centre.



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