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Joint operation combats suspected illegal collection and storage of chemical waste in North District and Yuen Long recycling sites (with photos)
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     The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) launched a joint departmental enforcement operation in early May with the Fire Services Department (FSD), the Police and the Planning Department (PlanD) to inspect a number of open waste recycling sites in North District and Yuen Long in the New Territories. During the inspections, four recycling sites were suspected to have illegally stored large amounts of chemical waste including waste LCDs, cathode ray tubes and lead-acid batteries. The EPD is now investigating the people involved and gathering evidence in preparation for instituting prosecutions.

     An EPD spokesman today (May 23) said that the joint operation, entitled "Operation E-spark", aimed to conduct surprise inspections at open waste recycling yards in North District and Yuen Long to check whether their operations comply with the legal requirements on pollution control, fire safety and land planning.

     After initial investigation, the EPD found that four recycling sites located at Ta Kwu Ling in North District as well as San Tin and Lau Fau Shan in Yuen Long were used to illegally collect and store large quantities of chemical waste such as LCDs, cathode ray tubes and lead-acid batteries for export sale, or even dismantle LCDs. The chemical waste seized during the operation mainly comprised LCDs, totalling around 8 000 pieces with an estimated total market export value of $1.2 million. In addition, PlanD is also gathering evidence to check if the sites had breached regulations in land use planning. During the joint operation, the FSD reminded the people-in-charge and staff members of these recycling sites about the fire safety requirements. EPD staff also took water and soil samples in nearby areas to see whether the operations of these recycling sites had affected the surrounding environment.

     The spokesman said, "General use and normal selling of LCD monitors will not constitute danger. However, if a recycling site is involved in the collection, storage, dismantling, disposal or import and export of a large quantity of waste LCD monitors, which contain heavy metals (such as mercury and cadmium) as well as toxic organic compounds in such form, quantity or concentration so as to cause pollution or constitute a danger to health, it is regulated under the Waste Disposal Ordinance and the Waste Disposal (Chemical Waste) (General) Regulation. In addition, as waste lead-acid batteries contain sulphuric acid and lead, they are also classified as chemical waste. Any person who collects, stores, disposes of, imports or exports chemical waste must apply for a permit from the EPD. However, the four recycling sites concerned have not obtained the required approval."

     The spokesman added, "All chemical waste must be properly handled to avoid causing pollution to the environment or affecting public health. The EPD and relevant departments will continuously conduct joint enforcement action against illegal activities at waste recycling sites."

     The EPD reminds waste recycling site operators and those who are engaged in the collection, import and export of recyclables to strictly comply with the legal requirements in handling chemical waste. Chemical waste must be collected by licensed chemical waste collectors for delivery to the EPD's licensed chemical waste treatment facilities for disposal. Any persons who wish to import or export chemical waste require a permit issued by the EPD. It is an offence for anyone to collect, store, dispose of, import or export chemical waste not according to the legal requirements. First-time offenders are liable to a maximum fine of $200,000 and six months' imprisonment.

     Members of the public may visit the EPD's website for more information about the control of chemical waste: www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/environmentinhk/waste/guide_ref/guide_cwc.html.

Ends/Monday, May 23, 2016
Issued at HKT 17:35

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