Ms Rosie CHAN Man-wai
Founder, JAPJAP Zero Waste Limited
Environment and Interior Design graduate
Success is never guaranteed, whether you are pursuing education or embarking on a business venture. Ms Rosie Chan Man-wai, a graduate of the PolyU School of Design, has transformed her life from a struggling Band 5 student to the founder of a thriving green technology start-up. Her unwavering beliefs and the wisdom displayed in overcoming adversity offer insights worth reflecting on this Earth Day as we celebrate her remarkable journey of green transformation.
Reflecting on Rosie’s early years, she started working three part-time jobs at just 15 to support herself. After completing her secondary education, she entered the workforce. A transformative experience living self-sufficiently on a rural farm in Japan ignited her passion for environmental issues, catalysing significant personal growth.
The farmers in Japan viewed nothing as waste; everything could return to the soil, including turning substandard crops and food waste into organic fertiliser. This made Rosie acutely aware of the urban consumption culture, where waste is typically relegated to landfills without a second thought. Upon returning to Hong Kong, she committed herself to changing her habits and began experimenting with making fertiliser at home. Driven by a desire to expand her knowledge and contribute from an environmental design perspective, Rosie not only enrolled in a higher diploma programme but also achieved a remarkable CGPA of 3.98, gaining admission to PolyU to study Environment and Interior Design. Throughout the years at PolyU, Rosie emerged as a passionate advocate for sustainable living – in the final year, such commitment culminated in her innovation of a one-stop food waste collection and processing machine for her interdisciplinary Integrated Capstone Project. The machine utilises black soldier flies to consume food waste day and night, and once these flies complete their life cycle, they can be converted into animal feed, fertiliser for crops, or even biodiesel, revolutionising waste management practices.
Rosie’s eco-passion fuelled her ideas, and the entrepreneurial support from PolyU brought those ideas to life. After graduation, Rosie founded JAPJAP Zero Waste, receiving capital from the PolyU Micro Fund and Angel Fund Scheme to continue developing her machine, while also securing a 24x7 project base at the Industrial Centre that offers technical assistance for laser cutting machines, 3D printers, and various tools. Together with professional advice and networking opportunities, the University strongly supported the growth of this start-up. Envisioning a future where every community, household, and business has access to efficient and sustainable waste management solutions, JAPJAP Zero Waste has been the Champion of the Hong Kong Social Enterprise Challenge, garnered the Gold Award at Hong Kong Techathon+, and won the Young Techpreneur Project, showcasing its immense potential along with many other accolades.
Through her visionary approach to design and technology, this young alumna has not only transformed lives but also redefined her own career with knowledge and courage. Taking her studies to the next level, Rosie is now an MPhil student in the Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering at PolyU. Indeed, while adversity presents its challenges, it also serves as a powerful catalyst for change, inspiring us all to strive for a greener future!
Publishing date: April 2025
