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Following is a transcript of the stand-up briefing by the Secretary for the Environment, Transport and Works, Dr Sarah Liao, today (December 8) on policy framework on management of municipal solid waste:
Reporter:...are very concerned about how much the scheme will cost...? ...would this plan actually minimise the amount of waste?
Dr Liao: Actually we do not have a number at the moment because the whole scheme is aiming towards reducing waste and recycling waste such that it becomes a kind of resources instead of waste. And that's why we have two parts in it. The recyclables would become resource. That is why it is not classified as waste. And the rest that are not able to be recycled would be charged. And the more you recycle the less you have to pay for waste. And that is the principle. So the Government is at the moment establishing a system such that the recycling and the reuse can be done efficiently and help to reduce the cost in that area. So the entire scheme is aiming towards reducing the cost of waste to everyone.
Reporter:...is incineration the only way to go? Are we going to have one mega incinerator?
Dr Liao: First of all, incinerator is not the only way. The reason why we have such an extensive management plan is because we have many other methods like the MBT, Mechanical Biological Treatment method. We also retain our landfills for the biological degradable compounds. And incineration is one of the last resorts and we have not come up with a site selection as yet. But I was talking about module so people do not need to worry about us building a mega plant and then leaving it idling if our recycling efforts have come to fruition.
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion)
Ends/Thursday, December 8, 2005
Issued at HKT 20:12
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