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Following is the transcript of remarks by the Secretary for the Environment, Mr Wong Kam-sing, after taking part in a shoreline clean-up event at Shui Hau on Lantau Island today (July 10):
Reporter: Is it still tracking and analysing the marine refuse being collected, and may be the Chief Executive could respond to this as well? On e-waste (electronic waste), would you be considering following the Mainland's footstep to introduce a complete ban on the import of electronic waste to stop the problem at root?
Secretary for the Environment: A few years ago, we set up an inter-departmental working group (The Inter-departmental Working Group on Clean Shorelines), comprising EPD (Environmental Protection Department), LCSD (Leisure and Cultural Services Department), and FEHD (Food and Environmental Hygiene Department), Marine Department, AFCD (Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department) and relevant departments, actually, not only to monitor the situation, but also to clean up the beaches together with the public. We also analyse the source of refuse along the coastal areas. According to the normal survey, the refuse comes from two sources, local and also regional, that is obvious. So we will keep up the survey and monitor the situation including the changes. As said by the CE (Chief Executive), locally we have to step up our reduction at source, in particular, the single use of disposal items. For instance, in country parks, through AFCD, we are promoting "no litter" and "leave no trace" etc. The effect is getting certain results, and we will step up our public education. Separately, we will step up regional collaboration so that we can have a better overall regionally.
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)
Ends/Sunday, July 10, 2016
Issued at HKT 14:08
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