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The Secretary for the Environment, Mr Wong Kam-sing, welcomed the report submitted today (December 16) by the Council for Sustainable Development (SDC) on the public engagement process on municipal solid waste (MSW) charging, and said that the Government will thoroughly consider and follow up on the report's recommendations.
"I would like to express my gratitude again to the SDC Chairman, Mr Bernard Chan, as well as the Convenor of the Support Group on MSW charging, Professor Nora Tam, and all members of the SDC for their efforts. This has been very challenging work and I am pleased that the SDC has employed a bottom-up and stakeholder-led engagement process, with in-depth and wide-ranging exploration of the various issues related to MSW charging, including the charging mechanism, coverage of the charging scheme, the charging level and how to enhance recycling facilities. The recommendations are both aggressive and pragmatic, and at the same time compatible with the prevailing situation in Hong Kong," Mr Wong said.
Mr Wong said the Government will thoroughly study and follow up on the recommendations set out in the report. The Environment Bureau has already set up an interdepartmental working group to commence related work, and will work out as soon as possible a framework plan with a view to introducing the proposal to the Legislative Council and the public early next year. Mr Wong also appealed to the public and the trade to support and participate in the implementation of MSW charging and other related measures to promote behavioural change for achieving the "Use Less, Waste Less" goal.
The SDC recommends that the Government implement quantity-based MSW charges in both the domestic sector and the commercial and industrial sector in one go. To effect waste charging, waste collected at Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) refuse collection points or through direct collection services would need to be packed in pre-paid designated garbage bags for disposal while a "gate fee" based on the weight would be charged for waste disposed of at landfills and refuse transfer stations. Residential buildings that are served by the FEHD could adopt a charging mechanism based on the total volume of waste disposed of by the building for a transitional period of up to three years, during which they could gradually move towards collection "by household using pre-paid designated garbage bags" as the ultimate goal.
Mr Wong added, "With the support of seven housing estates, a Pilot Scheme on MSW Charging commenced in April this year. We are now preparing for a similar pilot programme in rural areas. The practical experience gained will be taken into account when we implement the SDC's recommendations. At the same time, I fully agree with the SDC that supporting measures should be introduced in conjunction with MSW charging. We will concurrently expedite relevant complementary measures, especially the enhancement of recycling facilities."
The Government published the "Hong Kong Blueprint for Sustainable Use of Resources 2013-2022" last year with a target of reducing the MSW disposal rate by 40 per cent on a per capita basis by 2022. Among various initiatives, both MSW charging and producer responsibility schemes (PRSs) are the key policy tools to drive behavioural changes for waste reduction at source. In preparation for the implementation of MSW charging, various PRSs are being put into place progressively. Updates include the following:
ĄŻĄ@Full extension of plastic shopping bag charging will take place on April 1, 2015;
ĄŻĄ@The mandatory PRS for waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) is ready for discussion at the Legislative Council in this legislative session. At the same time, the Environment Bureau is seeking the approval of the Public Works Subcommittee of the Legislative Council's Finance Committee to build the WEEE treatment and recycling facility; and
ĄŻĄ@For the PRS on glass beverage bottles, alongside the preparatory work for submission to the Legislative Council, the Environmental Protection Department is proactively expanding the glass bottle recycling network to cover more of Hong Kong's population. The annual target has been achieved with the setting up of a total of 1,000 glass bottle collection points in various housing estates, representing residential coverage of some 50 per cent of the total population in Hong Kong.
In addition, the Government will progressively appoint non-profit-making operators by open tender to operate community green stations (CGSs) in each of the 18 districts in order to strengthen environmental education and recycling support at community level. At present, the Government has consulted the relevant District Councils on site selection for 11 CGSs, and the first two stations are already in the construction stage. The Sha Tin CGS has already appointed an operator and is expected to come into operation early next year, and the Eastern CGS is already undergoing an open tender arrangement. Moreover, the Government is going to put forward a recycling fund and other supporting measures for promoting the sustainable development of the recycling industry.
Ends/Tuesday, December 16, 2014
Issued at HKT 15:01
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