UM entrepreneurship team develops recycling solution for used playing cards

Cheng Yu Tung College (CYTC) of the University of Macau (UM) held a launch event on 23 May to showcase its student entrepreneurship team’s recycling solution for used playing cards, which turns the cards into new and eco-friendly materials.

To address the problem of the large quantity of used playing cards generated in Macao, the team has developed a recycling solution that features a localised processing and recycling system for them. The cards are turned into pulp, which can then be used to make recycled paper and packaging materials. The project is being incubated at UM’s Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship and the Macao Young Entrepreneur Incubation Centre. It has been showcased at local exhibitions, including the 29th Macao International Trade & Investment Fair (MIF) and the 2025 Macao International Environmental Co-operation Forum and Exhibition (MIECF). The project has also won several awards at local and regional entrepreneurship competitions.

In addition, the college has set up a new studio at its CYTC Maker Space, which will serve as a dedicated facility for the recycling initiative. The entrepreneurship team is made up entirely of CYTC students: Zhang Yunzhe from the Faculty of Science and Technology is the project leader; Ng Mong Cheng from the Faculty of Business Administration (FBA) is responsible for external relations; Pan Cheng from FBA is responsible for technical research; and Lam Ieng I from FBA is responsible for administration.