********************************
Following is a question by the Hon Audrey Eu and a written reply by the Secretary for the Environment, Mr Edward Yau, in the Legislative Council today (February 25):
Question:
It has been reported that since the onset of the financial tsunami, the quantities of used clothing collected by non-profit-making organisations and recyclers have decreased substantially when compared with those in the past. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(a) whether it knows the total quantities of used clothing collected last year, and a breakdown by the type of clothing (i.e. men's clothing, women's clothing and children's clothing); if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that;
(b) of the measures it adopted last year for encouraging participation by the public in used clothing collection activities; and
(c) whether it has studied the introduction of new measures to encourage more non-profit-making organisations to participate in the used clothing collection work, so as to create more employment opportunities?
Reply:
Mr President,
(a) According to the export figures compiled by the Census and Statistics Department, the quantity of used clothes and other used textile products exported in 2008 amounted to 5,533 tonnes, representing a drop of 1,190 tonnes (about 18%) against the export of 6,723 tonnes in 2007. The Government has not conducted any territory-wide survey on the recycling of used clothes by category and therefore no breakdown by the type of used clothes is available.
The above export figures cover used clothes and other used textile products exported from Hong Kong but not used clothes reused or recycled locally. Therefore, the figures do not fully reflect the recycling of used clothes in Hong Kong. They are for reference only.
(b) Currently the public can participate in recycling used clothes through various channels. At source, we have launched the Programme on Source Separation of Domestic Waste (the Programme) which covers about 1,000 housing estates in the territory. Waste separation facilities are provided on each floor or within the estate to facilitate separation of waste at source by residents. The types of recyclables include used clothes, waste paper, metals, plastics, used computers and electrical appliances. In addition, the Government launched the Community Used Clothes Recycling Bank Scheme in 2006. Under the Scheme, Community Used Clothes Recycling Banks (Recycling Banks) are placed at suitable locations (e.g. entrances to community halls/community centres, sitting-out areas, parks, sports centres and libraries) in the 18 districts throughout the territory. Four non-profit making organisations experienced in used clothes collection were appointed as scheme managers. Other non-profit making organisations may apply to the scheme managers for operating the Recycling Banks. At present, over 180 Recycling Banks are placed in all districts throughout the territory under the Scheme. On top of this, many recyclers engaged in recovering used clothes provide recovery service for the public.
(c) Apart from promoting the Programme to facilitate the separation of used clothes and recyclables at source for recycling, the Government offers, through the Environment and Conservation Fund, funding support to non-profit making district organisations for launching wide-ranging projects aimed at waste reduction and recycling. This also helps create more employment opportunities. We have briefed various District Councils and the Hong Kong Council of Social Service on the operation of the Fund to encourage more organisations to launch waste reduction projects with the funding support of the Fund.
Ends/Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Issued at HKT 16:31
NNNN
