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Following is a question by the Hon Raymond Ho and a reply by the Acting Secretary for the Environment, Dr Kitty Poon, in the Legislative Council today (November 25):
Question:
At present, people in Hong Kong use various kinds of electronic equipment and electrical appliances (e.g. computers, televisions, mobile phones and audio/visual players, etc.). The amount of electronic waste being disposed of every year is not small, and some of the components of such products often contain toxic substances which, if not disposed of properly, will pollute the environment. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council, in addition to implementing the voluntary producer responsibility scheme to enhance the recycling of the relevant products, whether:
(a) the authorities have issued to the public clear guidelines on the disposal of electronic waste; if so, whether such guidelines have been publicised to the public in an appropriate manner;
(b) at present, the electronic waste and domestic waste among the refuse collected are treated separately by the Government; and
(c) it has assessed the impact of electronic waste on the environment of Hong Kong; if it has, of the main points of the assessment report?
Reply:
President,
In 2008, the total volume of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) generated in Hong Kong was estimated to be some 71 000 tonnes. Over 80% of WEEE are recycled and reused in Hong Kong or other markets as second-hand goods; less than 20% are disposed of at the landfills.
(a) We have been encouraging the public to arrange proper treatment of WEEE. In addition to implementing voluntary producer responsibility schemes (PRS) to enhance the recycling of the relevant products, we have also implemented other initiatives in three aspects as follows –
(i) formulating guidelines and code of practice. For instance, in 2006, we formulated guidelines on the export of WEEE and proper treatment of mercury-containing lamps;
(ii) providing support to environment-related projects, including the funding support approved by the Environmental and Conservation Fund for a WEEE recycling centre; and
(iii) conducting publicity and public education. Apart from the conventional channels to promote civic education and public participation through the media and waste reduction programmes in the community and schools, we have launched a dedicated website to promote waste reduction and to disseminate relevant information about environmental protection, practical guidelines and details of recycling services, etc.
These initiatives are on-going. We would also upload the latest information about waste reduction onto the Environmental Protection Department's website for reference by the public.
Furthermore, the Legislative Council enacted the Product Eco-responsibility Ordinance in July 2008 to provide the legal basis for implementing statutory PRSs. We have already launched the environmental levy scheme for plastic shopping bags as the first PRS under the said Ordinance and have proposed WEEE as the target for our next mandatory PRS. We would soon consult the public on the relevant options.
(b) At present, we have primarily been promoting source separation through publicity and public education so as to reduce the volume of WEEE that is mixed with domestic waste. Over 80% of WEEE is now recycled and reused. The public consultation on a mandatory PRS for WEEE will be launched in the near future. At that juncture, we will explore possible measures to enhance the proper management of WEEE and will invite views and comments from the public.
(c) WEEE that is neither recycled nor reused would be disposed of at the landfills. Extensive environmental monitoring programmes are being carried out at the landfills to measure pollutants in the air, stream courses, ground water, sea water as well as checking constituents of the leachate and landfill gas. Findings obtained from our monitoring show that the landfills are safe and have not caused any pollution to the environment in the neighbourhood.
Ends/Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Issued at HKT 14:47
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