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The Environmental Protection Department will next month (November) launch a three-month trial scheme on Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) Charging to examine logistical arrangements for waste recovery and disposal in different housing settings for reference in the feasibility study of introducing a variable rate charging scheme.
"The trial scheme to be carried out in 20 housing estates will examine the arrangements for the distribution of bags, waste collection and auditing, as well as other complementary measures," a department spokesman said today (October 11), adding that no charging would be involved during the trial period.
"With the imminent MSW problem we have to substantially reduce waste generation and the amount of waste to be disposed of at landfills," the spokesman said.
"While the Government has made good progress in the Programme of Source Separation of Domestic Waste, we have to consider the feasibility of introducing MSW Charging Scheme to provide the public with direct economic incentives to reduce and recover waste," he said.
Housing estates participating in the trial are:
1) Public rental estates: Yiu Tung Estate, Oi Tung Estate, Chun Shek Estate, Wah Fu (II) Estate, Fu Tai Estate, Chun Seen Mei Chuen, and Sun Tin Wai Estate;
2) Subsidised sales flats: Wo Ming Court and Grand View Garden;
3) Private housing estates: Ocean View, King's Park Hill, Ocean Shores, Royal Peninsula, Heng Fa Chuen, Parc Palais, Seaview Crescent and Scenic View; and
4) Government quarters: 87-91 Broadcast Drive, Wong Tai Sin Disciplined Services Quarter, and 2-8, 9-11 Mansfield Road.
During the trial period, residents of participating housing estates will be given "designated bags" for disposal of non-recyclable domestic waste. To examine the feasibility of separating food waste at source, selected housing estates will also be provided with "food waste bags" to separate domestic waste from food waste. The department will collect the relevant data and conduct a questionnaire survey to collect views and opinions from residents participating in the scheme.
For further information on the trial scheme, people are welcome to visit the dedicated webpage (http://www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/environmentinhk/waste/prob_solutions/wsg1_mswcts.html) set up specially by the department or call 2778 2500.
Ends/Wednesday, October 11, 2006
Issued at HKT 16:01
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