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Following is the transcript of remarks by the Secretary for the Environment, Mr Wong Kam-sing, after officiating at the launch ceremony of the Recycling Fund today (October 6):
Secretary for the Environment: Regarding this recycling fund, we are using money to support the sustainable development of the recycling industry that can enhance the quality and quantity of recyclables so that we can reduce the burden on landfills. It is also important for everyone to practise clean recycling in their daily practice so that we can reduce the landfill burden and also uphold the quality and quantity of recycling.
Reporter: Is it going to amend the fund so that front-line recyclers can have their work subsidised in terms of manpower and collection?
Secretary for the Environment: The current proposal is based on thorough consultations with the recyclers in the past and also with extra input by the committee members (the Advisory Committee on Recycling Fund), and also the (Hong Kong) Productivity Council. So it is based on a very good basis to launch this current recycling fund scheme. Certainly, the situation is changing and so we are keeping a very close dialogue with the trade so that we can see how to refine the scheme in future. But I think we should launch the scheme first and see the response and the situation that is changing.
Reporter: Some members of the recycling industry questioned the composition of the Recycling Fund Advisory Committee (the Advisory Committee on Recycling Fund) and their representation (inaudible).
Secretary for the Environment: When we formed the committee, we were aware of the potential conflict of interest involving certain recyclers. We have communicated with the trade and we would like to have a dialogue closely with them outside the committee while maintaining fairly good understanding about the trade. I think consensus has reached and the committee has been running pretty good. We are listening to the voice of the trade and also voice from the green groups. Through balancing the conflict of interest and also the expertise, we are getting a pretty good result. Certainly, we would also monitor the progress of the recycling fund and continue to listen to the voice of the stakeholders so that we can ensure that the fund will be properly used.
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)
Ends/Tuesday, October 6, 2015
Issued at HKT 18:09
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