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The final session of the debate competition on waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) organised by the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) was held today (April 24). The debate team of Heep Yunn School won the championship after a heated debate on the motion, "Locally generated WEEE must be treated locally".
The Secretary for the Environment, Mr Edward Yau, presented awards to the winners after the competition.
The debate competition aims to encourage public discussion on the proper management of WEEE. The winners of the preliminary sessions, The Mission Covenant Church Holm Glad College and Heep Yunn School, competed for the championship in the final today.
Speaking before the competition, the Secretary for the Environment, Mr Edward Yau, said he hoped that the debate competition could be an impetus to public discussion on the proper management of WEEE. He also exchanged views with the students and audience on this topical issue during the event.
"Hong Kong generates around 70,000 tonnes of waste electrical and electronic equipment each year and the volume has been increasing at the rate of 2% annually in recent years. The problem of WEEE is closely related to the public at large," he said.
Mr Yau said that WEEE contained hazardous substances that were harmful to the environment and human health if not properly treated or disposed of, therefore they must be handled with care.
Mr Yau said today's motion, "Locally generated WEEE must be treated locally", was a critical topic on the producer responsibility scheme for the proper management of WEEE. The consultation document issued by the Government on January 18 contains a detailed analysis and some mainstream proposals.
"I hope that the public can seize the chance to express their views before the consultation period ends on April 30," Mr Yau said.
The consultation document can be downloaded from the EPD's website (www.epd.gov.hk/epd/weee). Views and comments by post (to EPD's Waste Management Policy Group, Room 4522, Revenue Tower, 5 Gloucester Road), email (weee@epd.gov.hk) or fax (2318 1877), or through the Internet (www.epd.gov.hk/epd/weee) are welcome.
To enhance the public's understanding of the issue of WEEE, the EPD has been holding roving exhibitions on the issue since early April, with the last session to be held in the Covered Piazza of Times Square. The exhibition will be open to the public from noon to 8pm between April 26 and 30. The EPD will distribute leaflets on site that outline the consultation details. Members of the public are invited to visit the exhibition.
Ends/Saturday, April 24, 2010
Issued at HKT 16:09
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