Tam Jai International Pioneers Upcycling of Surplus Pork Belly

Setting a New Paradigm in Upcycling with Three Cross-sectoral Partners

Tam Jai International (TJI) has collaborated with the Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education (IVE), Hong Kong Design Institute (HKDI) and the New Life Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association (NLPRA) to become the pioneering restaurant group in Hong Kong in the upcycling of surplus pork belly into an array of lifestyle products, including lip balm, handmade soap and scented candles. Packaged with a chic pouch and playful stickers, these items are available at designated TamJai and SamGor stores, with a portion of the sale proceeds allocated for charitable purposes.

Cross-sectoral Partnerships to Take Forth Pioneering Green Innovation

TJI’s R&D Department teamed up with IVE teachers and students, using ground-breaking technology to extract oil from surplus pork belly in the central kitchens of TamJai and SamGor. This oil is subsequently transformed into a renewable material, which is repurposed into lifestyle products. Under the guidance of expert instructors, trainees in mental recovery from the NLPRA learned how to manufacture the upcycled products, uplifting their workplace skills and providing them with new job opportunities. HKDI students also designed a super cute character called “Porky Angel” (腩肉小天使), applying their creativity to tell a compelling product story.

Candlelight Dinner and Upcycling for Earth Hour

TJI invited celebrity Sarah Song and a group of young families to participate in an Earth Hour Upcycling Workshop to craft Tam Jai-themed candles upcycled from surplus pork belly, followed by a candlelight dinner. On 22 March, TamJai, SamGor, Marugame Seimen and Yakiniku Yamagyu also switched off part of their store lights to support Earth Hour.