About The Project

Our Founder

Preston Yow is the founder of Public Goods in Hong Kong, focusing on the issue of overconsumption as he aims to redistribute underutilized items to those in need. He serves as a member of The Taft School’s Global Leadership Institute, a program which brings students from Taft and Waterbury to develop a program to aid the local Waterbury community. To address his interests in both electrical and mechanical engineering, he is currently co-authoring a research paper on the comparison of sonar & infrared low-cost distance sensors.

Our Project: Power

Sourcing electrical energy is a central challenge in modern society, as growing demand must be balanced with environmental and economic concerns. Traditionally, electricity has been generated from fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas, which are reliable and relatively inexpensive but contribute significantly to air pollution and climate change through greenhouse gas emissions. In response, many countries are shifting toward renewable energy sources like solar, wind, and hydroelectric power, which offer cleaner alternatives but can be intermittent and require substantial investment in infrastructure and storage technologies. Nuclear power also plays a role as a low-carbon energy source, though it raises concerns about safety, waste disposal, and high construction costs. Ultimately, the issue lies in developing a sustainable energy mix that ensures reliable electricity while minimizing environmental impact and supporting long-term economic growth.

Our Project: 4All

Refugees in Hong Kong face significant legal, social, and financial challenges. The government only provides temporary asylum and does not grant permanent residency, while strict employment restrictions prevent refugees from legally working, with violations potentially leading to imprisonment of up to 15 months. Financially, refugees receive about HK$4,300 per month in government assistance, which is stretched across essential needs: roughly HK$1,700 for rent, HK$1,400 in food coupons, and about HK$600 each for utilities and transport. Despite this support, refugee-led groups such as the Refugee Union struggle to secure donations and often lack sufficient government backing. These issues align with several Sustainable Development Goals, including SDG 1 (No Poverty), which aims to reduce extreme financial hardship; SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), which focuses on narrowing resource and opportunity gaps; and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions), which emphasizes the need for legal reforms and stronger protections for vulnerable populations.