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A territory-wide Fluorescent Lamp Recycling Programme, funded and organised by 15 members of the lighting trade with the full support of the Environmental Protection Department (EPD), was officially launched today (March 15).
Officiating at the launching ceremony at the East Point City, the Secretary for the Environment, Mr Edward Yau, said, "The programme will provide an outlet for the public to return their used fluorescent lamps for recycling, and will encourage people to switch to more energy efficient lighting products."
Under the programme, all brands of fluorescent lamps including compact fluorescent lamps and fluorescent tubes will be collected for treatment at the Chemical Waste Treatment Centre. The initial target of the programme is to collect 400,000 used fluorescent lamps each year generated from households. The costs will be shared by the participating companies. The programme is the third voluntary producer responsibility scheme in Hong Kong after the Rechargeable Battery Recycling Programme and the Computer Recycling Programme.
"I commend this voluntary initiative of fluorescent lamp producers and suppliers to shoulder their eco-responsibility. I call on the producers and suppliers of other products to respond positively to the rising public aspiration for a greener lifestyle and introduce similar programmes for the benefit of our environment", Mr Yau said.
Regular collection service will start from April at more than 400 public, subsidised and private housing estates that have signed up for the programme. A total of 53 public collection points will, starting from today, gradually be provided at the retail outlets of participating companies, designated shopping malls and houseware stores.
To provide added convenience to the public, the Environmental Protection Department will launch a mobile collection service towards the end of March. From March 29, a collection vehicle will be stationed at designated locations on every Saturday and Sunday according to a district roster to enable the public to hand in their used fluorescent lamps, as well as other used computer equipment and waste electrical and electronic equipment.
Participating companies of the programme are: General Electric International Inc, Havells Sylvania Asia Pacific Ltd, IKEA Hong Kong, Megaman (HK) Electrical & Lighting Ltd, Osram Prosperity Co Ltd, Philips Electronic HK Ltd, Shun Hing Electric Works & Engineering Co Ltd, Sunshine Lighting Ltd, Fu Sun Engineering Ltd, Goodway Electric Enterprise Ltd, Greenpower Technology Ltd, Luen Yick Electrical Mfg Co Ltd, Matic Lighting Technology (HK) Co Ltd, Starwise Industrial (HK) Ltd and Wellcome Supermarket. The Hong Kong Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Recycling Association is the programme manager. Supporting organisations include Friends of the Earth, Green Power, Tai Po Environmental Association, the Hong Kong Association of Property Management Companies, the Hong Kong Housing Authority, the Hong Kong Housing Society, Sun Kung Kai Real Estate Agency Limited and Pricerite Stores Limited.
Details of the programme have been uploaded onto the department's website (www.epd.gov.hk). The public can also call 2838 3111 for enquiries.
Ends/Saturday, March 15, 2008
Issued at HKT 15:53
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