Fourth batch of applications approved under Recycling Fund
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All the newly approved applications come under the Enterprise Support Programme and were from recyclers of different business scales. The projects involve the processing of different recyclables including construction waste, waste plastics, small waste electrical appliances and used cooking oil. Among the approved applications, two are Small-scale Standard Projects; one will make use of the Fund to obtain an environmental management system certification for its recycling operation, and another will purchase equipment to enhance its operational efficiency and improve its occupational health and safety standards. Details of these projects are set out in the Annex.
In addition, the Advisory Committee agreed recently to further introduce a set of facilitation measures including (1) to provide partial reimbursement of expenses midway through the project period of small-scale projects; (2) to establish a new category of Small-scale Standard Project for procuring equipment for efficiency upgrading or minimising nuisances to the neighbourhood; (3) to streamline the arrangement for recyclers to send their staff to receive occupational training; (4) to consider mobile recycling operations acceptable for approved projects under limited conditions where appropriate; and (5) to include the cost of third-party liability insurance and a portion of the rental expenses incurred by an approved project as fundable items.
An EPD spokesman said, "Since the launch of the Fund, the Committee and the EPD have kept under review the operational experience of the Fund in light of the market conditions as well as the views of applicants and stakeholders with a view to working out more facilitation measures. We intend to attract more applications which are worthy of support through these facilitation measures, so as to further promote the sustainable development of the recycling industry."
The $1 billion Recycling Fund was established in October 2015 to provide appropriate funding support to enhance the overall capability, capacity, efficiency and skills of the local recycling industry, as well as to help develop the market for recycled products by providing more market information. To date, the Advisory Committee has approved funding for 55 applications involving a total sum of about $65 million.
In the future, the latest information on the Fund, the recommendations of the Committee and the details of the approved applications will be announced to the public via the Recycling Fund website (www.recyclingfund.hk).
Ends/Tuesday, January 24, 2017
Issued at HKT 16:00
Issued at HKT 16:00
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