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LCQ19: Treatment of used fluorescent tubes and compact fluorescent lamps
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     Following is a question by the Hon Audrey Eu and a written reply by the Acting Secretary for the Environment, Dr Kitty Poon, in the Legislative Council today (November 25):

Question:

     Fluorescent tubes and compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) have been more commonly used by the public in recent years, but such products contain mercury and may cause pollution if they are not properly disposed of.  In this connection, will the Government inform this Council :

(a) whether it knows the respective quantities of fluorescent tubes and CFLs disposed of in Hong Kong in each of the past three years as well as the amount of mercury involved;

(b) of the quantity of mercury-containing waste treated by the Chemical Waste Treatment Centre on Tsing Yi Island in each of the past three years, and its capacity for treating such waste each year;

(c) whether it has forecast the quantities of fluorescent tubes and CFLs to be disposed of in Hong Kong in the next three years; and

(d) whether it has assessed the quantities of fluorescent tubes and CFLs to be directly dumped at the landfills in the next three years, as well as the impact of the mercury content of such waste on the impermeable liners of the landfills?

Reply :

President,

(a) The quantities of used fluorescent tubes and compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) disposed of at the Chemical Waste Treatment Centre (CWTC) on Tsing Yi Island under the fluorescent tubes and compact fluorescent lamps recycling programme are set out in the Annex. We have no statistics on used fluorescent tubes and CFLs disposed of at landfills.

(b) From 2006 to 2008, 59, 87 and 123 tonnes of mercury-containing waste were treated at the CWTC respectively.  At present, the annual capacity of the CWTC's mercury waste treatment facility is about 1 million used fluorescent tubes/CFLs.  Taking the mercury content of each used fluorescent tube or CFL as 4 milligrams, the amount of mercury to be recycled is about 4 kilograms.  We have launched a plan to upgrade the capacity of the CWTC's mercury waste treatment facility.  Upon completion of the upgrading works, which is expected to be in 2010, its treatment capacity will be increased to about 3 million used fluorescent tubes/CFLs a year.  We will study the need for further upgrading of the CWTC's mercury waste treatment facility in the light of the recycling of used fluorescent tubes and CFLs in future.

(c) and (d) The Government's aim is to collect as many used fluorescent tubes and CFLs as possible for proper disposal at the CWTC.  Upon the completion of the upgrading works in 2010, 3 million used fluorescent tubes/CFLs could be treated at CWTC a year.

     The Government is actively encouraging the public to use energy efficient lighting.  Although a rise in the use of energy efficient lighting such as CFLs is expected, the quantities to be disposed of depend on a number of factors, such as a probably longer service life of future lighting installations, development of alternative energy saving products, and enhanced public awareness of energy conservation and environmental protection.  We therefore are unable to make a precise estimate at this stage of the quantities of fluorescent tubes and CFLs to be disposed of in the next few years.

     As for the strategic landfills in the territory, their bases and sides are sealed with impermeable liners to prevent the contamination of groundwater by waste and leachate.  The impermeable liners are made of high-density polyethylene, an inert material which can withstand the erosive chemicals or metallic substances in leachate.  Through an effective collection system of the impermeable liners, leachate generated in waste degradation is first carried to sewage treatment facilities in the landfill for treatment and then to a public sewage treatment plant for further treatment and final discharge.

Ends/Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Issued at HKT 14:20

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