With over twelve years of experience in operations, manufacturing, and customer success, Jose is a passionate and multi-disciplined professional leading Spare-it’s APAC office. Spare-it, a PropTech and sustainability company, is transforming how organizations measure, report, and reduce in-building waste. Our mission is to accelerate circularity through data , embodying our tagline: “More Data. Less Waste.”.

As General Manager, Jose has been instrumental in partnering with key Property Developers and Multinational Companies to revolutionize waste intelligence. Spare-it transforms waste into actionable insights, moving organizations beyond messy, limited audits to scalable, clean data. This enables our customers to pinpoint contamination, reduce waste, and drive cost savings. Jose’s leadership helps organizations Make Zero Waste a Team Sport, turning waste goals into tangible, attainable, and motivating outcomes for everyone involved.
Jose’s multicultural and multi-industry experience enables him to think strategically and effectively influence colleagues and clients across diverse technical and C-level backgrounds. He has a strong track record of delivering results, collaborating with partners, and driving innovation in the PropTech and sustainability sectors.
Jose holds an MBA from HKU Business School, a Bachelor’s degree in Industrial and Systems Engineering from Tecnológico de Monterrey, and a Six Sigma certification. He is fluent in Spanish, English, and Portuguese, with intermediate proficiency in French and Mandarin.

My Sustainability Goals for 2025:

• Prioritize Waste Avoidance.
• Drive Upstream Solutions for Circularity: Tackle the waste problem at its root.
• Champion Ethical and Sustainable AI

Holly Ho is a senior-management level marketing and communications professional bringing over 16 years of experience and expertise in public relations, branding, content creation, qualitative research and marketing. She has been with The Woolmark Company on a full-time and consultant basis for over 8 years, and is currently its Greater China Senior Manager, Marketing Communications and Sustainability. Having been based back in Hong Kong since 2019, Holly’s experience spans across the three continents of Asia, Europe and North America, with a keen understanding of the nuances in the Greater China market. With a Master’s Degree in Global Fashion Supply Chain Management, and a published academic paper on sustainable supply chain management in the Journal of Fashion Marketing and Management: An International Journal, Emerald Publishing LTD., Holly has also recently completed a Circular Economy and Sustainability Strategies short course at the University of Cambridge Judge Business School, as well as an Advanced Executive Diploma in ESG Strategy and Innovation for Net-Zero at the HKMa Global Centre for ESG Education & Research. These days, she continues on her quest to empower global textile and fashion supply chain stakeholders in optimising their best practices, reduce their environmental footprint and create positive change from the inside out.

Lisa Griplas is a strategic communicator and sustainability leader with close to 20 years’ experience in the fashion and textiles industry. She brings deep knowledge of the wool industry’s end-to-end value chain and a strong belief in the power of natural fibres to drive meaningful, positive change. Her work sits at the intersection of sustainability, storytelling and systems thinking – championing the role of wool and other natural fibres within a circular economy. Passionate about the value and co-benefits that nature can bring to the fashion and textiles sector, she helps brands, growers, and global stakeholders turn complex ideas into clear, compelling narratives that resonate.

My Sustainability Goals for 2025 

• Position natural fibres – especially wool – as more than low-impact materials: frame them as enablers of climate-positive land management, biodiversity gains, and rural livelihoods.
• Advocate for a cultural reset around clothing use: one that prizes care, repair, and longevity over novelty.
• Bridge gaps between fibre producers, brands, scientists, and policymakers—helping co-design solutions that close the loop.

Leo is a sustainability professional with a Master’s degree in Analytical Chemistry and over a decade of experience in the Testing, Inspection, and Certification (TIC) industry, specializing in the fashion and textile sector. His diversified roles encompass strategic business development with a strong focus on innovative sustainability solutions for global clients, provision of technical advisory services and constant expertise sharing on sustainable fashion and industry best practices.

Driving sustainable transformation in the textile industry, Leo has led impactful ESG initiatives as Technical Services Manager at SGS. He has driven projects that promote the adoption of recycled and bio-based materials to mitigate plastic pollution, enhanced circularity through biodegradable and compostable solutions, and developed traceability programs that reduced supply chain audit redundancies. His deep understanding of global sustainability regulations enables enterprises to meet their ESG goals and drive meaningful environmental impact effectively.

My Sustainability Goals for 2025:

• Promote Circularity in Textiles: Encourage the textile industry to adopt circular economy principles by using certified natural and recycled fibers – such as organic cotton and recycled wool – to reduce reliance on fossil-based materials.
• Drive Decarbonization Through Innovation: Advocate for increased incentives and funding from both public and private sectors to support low-carbon technologies and sustainable innovation in textile manufacturing.
• Empower Sustainable Transitions: Foster collaboration among businesses, policymakers, and consumers to accelerate the shift toward eco-friendly practices across the industry.

Ms Katherine Chan, MBA
Director, Business Development
The Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel

Ms Chan has extensive experiences in the full supply chain of textile and apparel industry globally. Her knowledge covers textile chemicals, yarn spinning and textile manufacturing and was in roles overseeing design to garment productions to retail in the USA, Singapore and Hong Kong.
Ms Chan has worked with textile factories in Asia and the Americas in product development as well as manufacturing. She was involved in R&D, marketing, operations and quality assurance.
Before joining HKRITA, Ms Chan was with BASF as global product manager as well as global marketing, strategic projects and regional product managements for different chemical segments. During the years, she has worked with global teams and management for chemical manufacturing around the world including Europe, the USA, Asia and Middle East.
Ms Chan received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from University of Wisconsin, Madison, an AAS degree in Fashion Buying and Merchandising from Fashion Institute of Technology, both in the USA and MBA from The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology.

Dr. Chris DeArmitt is an internationally recognized scientist, author, and thought leader in materials science, known for his relentless commitment to uncovering and communicating the truth about plastics and their environmental impact. With a career spanning decades and grounded in rigorous, peer-reviewed research, Dr. DeArmitt stands at the forefront of dispelling myths and correcting misinformation pervasive in today’s environmental discourse.

Author of influential books such as “The Plastics Paradox” and “Shattering the Plastics Illusion,” Dr. DeArmitt combines scientific depth with engaging clarity, revealing through meticulous analysis how conventional narratives about plastics and their ecological footprint often diverge dramatically from reality. His work is driven by a passion for scientific integrity, using evidence-based reasoning to challenge widely held beliefs and inform sustainable policies.

As the founder of the Plastics Research Council, Dr. DeArmitt has created an essential resource dedicated to educating policymakers, industries, and the public about scientifically validated environmental facts. He has reviewed and synthesized over 5,000 scientific studies, becoming a leading authority whose insights influence both academic circles and global industries.

Beyond academia and research, Dr. DeArmitt is a sought-after keynote speaker, adept at translating complex scientific concepts into compelling narratives that resonate with diverse audiences worldwide. His engaging presentations not only illuminate critical environmental truths but inspire thoughtful dialogue, driving meaningful change in how society perceives and interacts with plastics.

Dedicated to a future where environmental decisions are rooted in factual accuracy rather than misconceptions, Dr. DeArmitt continues to be an influential voice advocating for evidence-based environmental stewardship.

My 2025 Sustainability Goals

• My goal is to educate people on the science of of plastics and the environment.
• This will enable business people to make wiser decisions.
• It will enable policy makers to make good policy that works.
• A goal is to make sure people are informed rather than afraid about microplastics

Elisa Chan (PhD) is an Assistant Professor in the School of Hotel and Tourism Management and the Associate Director at the Centre for Hospitality and Real Estate Research (CHRER) at CUHK Business School. Prior to joining CUHK, Elisa worked at the EHL Hospitality Business School (Switzerland) and the New York Institute of Technology (Canada) where she taught the undergraduate and master’s programmes. She also conducted executive trainings for hospitality companies, including Nespresso (Switzerland), Beijing Tourism Group (China), and Terme e Grandi Alberghi Sirmion (Italy). Moreover, she worked on various research and capstone projects with Moncierge (US), Statler Hotel (US), STR Global (US), HSMAI (US), Caran d’ache (Switzerland), Royal Savoy Hotels (Switzerland), Hilton Worldwide (UK), and SHARC Energy Systems (Canada). Like many others, Elisa has prioritized sustainability in her work and her current research focuses on sustainable tourism and hospitality. She also oversees the Greater China Hotel Business Sustainability Index (Hotel BSI) for the Centre for Hospitality and Real Estate Research (CHRER).

Prof. Dan Wang has been recognized for her impactful research and leadership in academia and industry in tourism and hospitality management. Prof. Wang’s research focuses on digital transformation in tourism, technology adoption, and social media marketing within the hospitality industry. Her work also explores hotel environmental management practices and their sustainability implications. Prof. Wang has also shaped public policies on hotel environmental management in Hong Kong and Mainland China by working with the China Hospitality Association and the Hong Kong Hotel Association. She has published over 50 peer-reviewed journal articles, including 33 in top-tier journals, 49 conference papers, and seven book chapters. Her research has garnered over 9,000 citations, with an h-index of 35 and an i10-index of 46. Prof. Dan Wang was listed as one of the top 2% of scientists worldwide in the Economics & Business field (Sport, Leisure, & Tourism subfield) in the latest report released by Stanford University. Prof. Wang’s leadership extends to her role as Associate Director of the Research Center for Digital Transformation of Tourism at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University.

Andy Cornish grew up in Hong Kong, and completed a Ph.D on reef fishes at The University of Hong Kong in 2000. He spent 16 years working for the world’s largest conservation organisation WWF, first as the Conservation Director for WWF-Hong Kong, and then as the leader for a global marine conservation program for WWF International.
He subsequently founded Cornerstone Strategies, a boutique consultancy that provides tailored strategic planning support to charities, foundations and corporations in Asia Pacific and beyond. Andy has extensive experience in strategic planning, fundraising, people development, communications and building collaborations, and a firmly results-driven approach.
His food-related experience includes working as the technical advisor for the Hong Kong Sustainable Seafood Coalition and co-authoring two WWF Hong Kong Ecological Footprint Reports

My Sustainability Goals for 2025:

• The Government provides increased policy and other support for sustainable food
• Corporate interest in sourcing sustainable seafood increases to pre-pandemic levels, and goes mainstream

Mr Edwin Lau is the Founder of The Green Earth, an environmental organization promoting resource conservation and zero-waste culture. He has been actively engaged in environmental protection work since the late 1980s. He places great concern on several pressing environmental topics, e.g., waste management, climate change, energy conservation, and air pollution.

Mr Lau keeps offering his recommendations and expressing his opinions through media interviews and open letters on several pressing environmental issues confronting humankind. Most of his published letters can be viewed from the following link https://www.scmp.com/author/edwin-lau

Mr Lau is currently a member of the CUHK Jockey Club Museum of Climate Change Expert Committee and a senior advisor of the Hong Kong Solar Industries Association.

In 2009, Mr Lau was awarded the Medal of Honour by the HKSAR Government in recognition of his long-term contribution to the promotion of environmental protection and environmental education. In the same year, he was also awarded an Outstanding Earth Champion by The Earth Champions Foundation.

My Sustainability Goals for 2025:

• More individuals and businesses will act immediately by adopting genuine measures and practices to tackle the escalating environmental crisis.
• The Government will act fast to roll out the much-needed environmental policies and set a good role model for others to follow suit.

As Senior Global Marketing Manager at BOTEC, I lead sustainable packaging initiatives across financial, utility, government, F&B, and beauty sectors. I specialize in driving adoption of our innovative algae-based materials, which serve multiple applications: biodegradable envelope windows for high-volume institutional mailers (banks, utilities, government), sustainable food packaging solutions, and revolutionary hydrogel facial masks for the beauty industry. At BOTEC, we’re transforming multiple sectors through our seaweed-derived materials that offer a carbon-negative alternative to conventional plastics. Our nature-based innovation delivers both functionality and sustainability – from document windows for bank statements and bills to food-service packaging and premium beauty products.

Our Sustainability Goals for 2025

1. Institutional Document Solutions:

I aim to partner with Hong Kong’s major banks, utility companies, and government departments to replace conventional plastic envelope windows with BOTEC’s biodegradable algae-based films. As these institutions collectively send millions of documents annually, transitioning to our sustainable solution would significantly reduce plastic waste while supporting their ESG objectives.

2. Multi-Industry Sustainable Transition:

My goal is to accelerate adoption of our biodegradable solutions across multiple sectors:

– F&B industry: Implementing sustainable food packaging for restaurants, hotels, and delivery services

– Beauty sector: Expanding the use of our algae-based hydrogel facial masks as an eco-friendly alternative to traditional sheet masks

– Food service: Providing naturally degradable food wraps and containers that maintain quality while meeting environmental standards

3. Innovation Integration:

I hope to demonstrate how one sustainable material source – algae – can revolutionize multiple industries in Hong Kong. By showcasing successful applications from institutional document windows to food packaging to beauty products, we can accelerate the adoption of truly biodegradable solutions that absorb more carbon than they produce while meeting diverse business needs. This cross-sector approach will help Hong Kong businesses transition away from conventional plastics while maintaining or enhancing product functionality.

Mr. Andy Chan is currently serving as Technical Director at Binnies Hong Kong Limited. He also holds the position of Vice Chairman of the Hong Kong Waste Management Association (HKWMA), where he actively contributes to shaping policies and practices in waste management in Hong Kong.

As a chartered civil engineer with nearly 20 years of diverse consulting experience in the United States and Hong Kong, Andy has specialized in civil, water, and environmental engineering. Throughout his career, he has successfully advised clients on critical issues such as flood management, climate change adaptation and mitigation, and effective waste management strategies.

At Binnies Hong Kong, Andy manages various environmental engineering and waste infrastructure projects, focusing on innovative solutions that promote resource recovery and beneficial reuse. His played pivotal roles in initiatives like the establishment of the Pilot Biochar Production Plant in EcoPark, the first of its kind in Hong Kong. Additionally, he is currently collaborating with the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) on the development of the Integrated Waste Management Facility Phase 2 (I.PARK2).

Andy’s passion for the environment and sustainability drives him to seek realistic advancements for a more sustainable future in Hong Kong through the principles of circular economy. His commitment to fostering collaboration among public and private sectors exemplifies his dedication to creating impactful changes in the community.

My Sustainability Goals for 2025:

• Foster a unique green culture consisting of a balance between life and sustainability within the hectic and congested living environment of Hong Kong
• Continue to forge collaborations between the public and private sectors in establishing a local circular economy.

Ir Kenny Wong is the Director, Business Development & Projects – Hong Kong of ALBA Group Asia. Ir Wong is responsible for identifying, developing and implementing projects of effective waste management and recycling to foster circular economy. He is also acting as the Director and Project Manager of the WEEE·PARK that is currently recycling over 20,000 tons of waste electrical & electronic equipment per year. Ir Wong has over 25 years of experience in environmental management and technologies research and development, with expertise in waste, energy and carbon management, corporate sustainability; and has been leading design and implementation of cleaner production systems for various types of trades and industries, R&D & commercialization of environmental and automotive technologies. Ir Wong also has extensive experience in leading public policy research and studies; including development and implementation, as well as conducting stakeholders’ engagement on government policies and initiatives. Among major government consultancy services, Ir Wong served as a Deputy Programme Director of the HK$2 Billion Recycling Fund for the HKSAR Government. Currently Ir Wong is leading the company’s preparation and actively communicating with the HKSAR Government on the development of Producer Responsibility Scheme for the plastic beverage containers and beverage cartons.

My Sustainability Goals for 2025:

• Hope Hong Kong can implement the Producer Responsibility Scheme for the plastic beverage containers and beverage cartons as soon as possible
• Hope Hong Kong can re-think the implementation timeline and operation model of the quantity based waste charging scheme
• Hope Hong Kong can further step up collection and recycling of food waste so as to further boost up recycling rate as well as to enhance clean recycling

Kitty is an Associate Director of SMEC, an SJ Company. She is also a Chartered Environmental Engineer, committee member of HKIE Environmental Division, a Chartered Water and Environmental Manager, Engineering EIA Professional and a Certified ESG Analyst with 16 years of work experience. She has been based in Hong Kong and has worked on projects in Hong Kong, China, Australia, India, Malaysia and the US. She is specialised in delivering projects related to waste, hydraulic, water, drainage, sewerage, environmental and sustainability. She has been involved in several iconic projects such as I∙Park 1, O∙Park 2, Pillar Point Sewage treatment Works, Tai Po Water Treatment Works Phase 2. Kitty has worked through the project lifecycle including feasibility studies, conceptual design, detailed design and construction. She also demonstrated strength as project manager and project coordinator for multi-disciplinary projects. Kitty has served as committee member of Hong Kong Waste Management Association for years, and she is currently the Vice Chairlady.

Prof. Dan Tsang is a Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology and Pao Yue-Kong Chair Professor in the State Key Laboratory of Clean Energy Utilization at Zhejiang University in China. A trailblazer in environmental engineering and sustainability, Prof. Tsang has over two decades of research and professional experience. With more than 650 publications in leading international journals, over 75,000 citations, and an h-index of 152, he has been recognized among Stanford University’s Top 2% Scientists (lifetime) and Clarivate’s Highly Cited Researchers in both the engineering and the environment and ecology categories. He also holds fellowships from the Institution of Civil Engineers (FICE), Royal Society of Chemistry (FRSC), and Hong Kong Institution of Engineers (FHKIE). In addition, with a strong commitment to advancing the engineering profession and contributing to public service, Prof. Tsang serves as the founding Editor-in-Chief of npj Materials Sustainability (Nature Portfolio), as well as Chairman of the Hong Kong Waste Management Association (2023–2025) and Waste Management Subcommittee Chair (2023 & 2024) of the Advisory Council on the Environment of the Hong Kong SAR Government.

Kenny received his bachelor’s degree in Environment & Sustainable Development and master’s degree in Environmental Management and Engineering from CEE of PolyU in 2012 and 2014 respectively.

Kenny is the Director of EnviPro Technology Company Limited (EnviPro), contributing to consultancy projects related to air, acoustic, odour and health impact assessment in Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan.

Kenny participates in various professional bodies actively. Kenny was elected as an Executive Committee Member of Hong Kong Waste Management Association (HKWMA) in 2019. Besides, Kenny is a member of the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers (MHKIE), the Hong Kong Institute of Acoustics (MHKIOA), the Hong Kong Institute of Environmental Impact Assessment (MHKIEIA), the Hong Kong Institute of Qualified Environmental Professionals Limited (MHKIQEP) and associate member of Institution of Mechanical Engineers (AMIMechE) and BEAM Professional (BEAM Pro).

Kenny appointed by the Government as member of the Advisory Committee on Countryside Conservation (ACCC) in 2021. Kenny obtained The outstanding alumni Award from the PolyU CEE in 2023. Starting from 2024, Kenny appointed as member of Practice and Action Projects Vetting Subcommittee, Environment and Conservation Fund Committee (ECF).

Our sustainability goals for 2025:

• Envision a world where you don’t have to sacrifice convenience, or the environmental quality, to get where you’re going and do what you need to do.