Hong Kong Air Cargo Terminals Limited (Hactl) — Hong Kong's largest independent handler — is stepping up its sustainability goals with its latest upcycling endeavour.

Hactl said it successfully transformed its old staff uniforms into 5,000 upcycled cups through its "Zero Waste Uniform Upcycling Project."

"The initiative marks the first zero-waste upcycling project for old clothing in the history of Hong Kong's aviation industry," the air cargo terminal operator added.

Hactl said its "Zero Waste Uniform Upcycling Project" has demonstrated the unlimited possibilities of zero-waste upcycling of old uniforms for the aviation industry and other sectors.

"In Hong Kong, the aviation industry, like many industries, provides uniforms for frontline staff. Dealing with old uniforms is an important environmental issue," commented  Wilson Kwong, chief executive officer of Hactl.

"We hope that through this project, we can break through traditional limitations and recycle old uniforms to achieve 'zero waste upcycling' and reduce the burden on landfills while encouraging the industry to contribute towards a circular economy and sustainable development," he added.

Hactl noted that since launching its "Green Terminal" programme in 2018, the company has been making positive impacts on the community and environment.

It has committed to achieving a 75% waste recycling rate by 2030.

The air cargo terminal operator noted that the "Zero Waste Uniform Upcycling Project" is one of its "most significant" initiatives to help realise this goal.

Hactl cited data from the Environmental Protection Department, which found that Hong Kong's textile waste recycling rate increased from about 4% in 2018 to nearly 11% in 2022.

However, company uniforms are mostly made of blended materials and are rarely recycled.

Even when recycled, they are only used to create recycled textile fibres for manufacturing new clothing.

Hactl said by upcycling old uniforms into non-textile products, Hactl's "Zero Waste Uniform Upcycling Project" has opened the door to new possibilities for raw plastics derived from clothing.

"Most importantly, the fact that these 5,000 cups, made from upcycled materials, can be recycled again in future to create other high-value products demonstrates the possibility and potential of achieving a circular economy," Hong Kong's largest independent handler further said.