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Waste recycling sites to observe good practices and fire safety (with photo)
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     The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) and the Fire Services Department (FSD) today (April 17) jointly launched a four-month promotional campaign to inspect some 200 outdoor waste recycling sites in the New Territories. During the inspections, site operators will be reminded to maintain good practices and step up fire safety awareness so as to reduce the risk of pollution and fire.

     During a visit today to a waste recycling site at Ng Chau Road, Ping Che, Fanling, officers of the EPD and the FSD distributed leaflets to the person-in-charge and workers at the site to remind them to observe relevant environmental and fire safety regulations. They were also urged to implement appropriate measures to prevent environmental nuisance and fire hazards.

     An EPD spokesman said, "Recyclables including waste plastic, scrap metal, waste paper, waste rubber tyres, used electrical appliances and waste electronic parts are commonly treated at waste recycling sites. Improper operation of these sites will create dust, waste, wastewater and noise problems. Such operation pollutes the environment and causes nuisance to nearby residents, and the site operators may also breach the law."

     The EPD reminds waste recycling site operators to ensure that site operation complies with the relevant environmental regulations and to put in place the following good environmental practices:

* Prevent air pollution and prohibit open burning activities as stipulated in the regulation;
* Store and treat any chemical waste in accordance with the law;
* Prohibit the disposal of imported waste in Hong Kong;
* Do not discharge waste water generated from site operation into storm water drains or river courses;
* Recycle wastewater from washing activities as far as possible to save water;
* Schedule work to avoid noisy night-time operations (e.g. loading and unloading activities); and
* Avoid leaving the site unattended.
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     A spokesman for the FSD said, "In view of recent fire incidents at waste recycling sites which posed threats to life and property, the FSD appeals to the owners, occupiers and workers of waste recycling sites to observe fire safety."

     Site operators are also reminded of the importance of fire safety management and maintaining a high degree of fire safety alertness. Observance of the following fire safety measures will help prevent fire at waste recycling sites:

* Setting up of a designated cigarette smoking area;
* Proper handling of naked flames;
* Proper use of electrical appliances and maintenance of electrical installations;
* Proper maintenance of fire service installations and equipment;
* Proper handling and storage of dangerous goods. Any dangerous goods over the exempted quantity shall have a valid licence issued by the FSD;
* Maintain adequate ventilation during welding and cutting processes, and keep flames and hot slag away from combustibles;
* Adopt safe storage methods to separate waste recycling materials; and
* Check the site before ending the day's operation to ensure any fire sources are extinguished and cut off any unnecessary power supply.

     Officers of the EPD and the FSD will continue to inspect waste recycling sites in North District, Yuen Long, Tuen Mun and Tai Po for the promotion of good environmental practices and fire safety messages.

Ends/Thursday, April 17, 2014
Issued at HKT 16:00

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