EPD and C&ED jointly tackle illegal collection and export of chemical waste (with photos)
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An EPD spokesman said that the EPD raided a recycling site in Yuen Long last Friday (July 15) which illegally stored waste lead-acid batteries and other chemical waste. During the operation, a truck involved in the illegal collection of waste lead-acid batteries was intercepted by the EPD. In the recycling site, about 3 000 lead-acid batteries and 3 200 waste cathode ray tubes (CRTs) and waste LCD monitors pending export were found. The EPD believes that the two intercepted containers involved in suspected illegal export of chemical waste may be related to the recycling site. The total estimated market value of the chemical waste involved was about $560,000. The EPD is now conducting thorough investigation into the parties involved and gathering evidence for initiating prosecutions.
Waste lead-acid batteries and other hazardous electronic chemical waste like CRTs and waste LCD monitors contain sulphuric acid, lead, mercury and other toxic substances. Improper treatment of them will therefore cause adverse effects on people’s health. It is also stipulated by the Basel Convention that the import and export of hazardous waste should be strictly regulated to prevent this waste being delivered to improper facilities for treatment, causing pollution to the environment or posing threats to workers' health.
The spokesman added that lead-acid batteries are widely used in vehicles and large-sized powered machine equipment, large-scale telecommunication systems and backup power supply for computer server systems and data centres, while waste CRTs are obtained from old-fashioned television sets or computer monitors, and they are both classified as chemical waste. To protect the environment, only licensed chemical waste collectors are allowed to collect chemical waste and all chemical waste must be delivered to the EPD's licensed chemical waste treatment facilities for treatment and disposal, according to the Waste Disposal Ordinance and the Waste Disposal (Chemical Waste) (General) Regulation. Moreover, the import and export of chemical waste are strictly regulated and prior approval must be obtained from 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.
The spokesman said that the EPD is gravely concerned about the illegal handling of chemical waste at local recycling sites. Since last year, the EPD has stepped up inspections at recycling sites in the New Territories and joint operations have been conducted with relevant departments to combat illegal activities there, resulting in 12 cases being prosecuted and leading to convictions. The EPD will continue to closely collaborate with the C&ED and other relevant departments to strictly combat illegal collection as well as import and export of chemical waste. The EPD will also continue to monitor whether local recycling sites have been involved in illegal handling of chemical waste and will take stringent enforcement action to prevent pollution of the environment.
More information about the control of chemical waste is available on the EPD's website:
www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/environmentinhk/waste/guide_ref/guide_cwc.html and
www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/environmentinhk/waste/prob_solutions/Waste_Lead-Acid_Batteries.html.
Ends/Tuesday, July 19, 2016
Issued at HKT 16:50
Issued at HKT 16:50
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