Following is the transcript of remarks by the Secretary for the Environment, Mr Wong Kam-sing, after attending the launch ceremony for the New Chapter for Glass Bottle Recycling this afternoon (January 10):
 
Reporter: Does the relatively new recycling scheme for electronics and electrical appliances have any flaws? Or any room for improvement? Because there are complaints that people are not getting their products taken away immediately, and that's why the old products are being left on the street. That's not helpful to the scheme.
 
Secretary for the Environment: Firstly, the disposal of the concerned e-waste at the RCPs (refuse collection points) or roadsides actually is not increasing, based on our data collected before and after the (introduction of the) new law. The numbers of the disposed e-waste actually are more or less the same. But, we would like to further promote the new initiative. That means even people are not going to buy any new equipment, there are free services, as long as they can use the hotline, and arrange for the free collection of the old appliances from their premises. I think that there's room for the Government and the community to further promote this type of service.
 
Reporter: But just now, a reporter was asking that whether your bureau will be considering subsidising some recyclers who are interested in taking up the scheme, but may not have the relative required space or equipment. Are you considering subsidising these recyclers or interested parties?
 
Secretary for the Environment: I think there are two points. Firstly, the stakeholders can consider the market situation themselves to decide if they participate in it. Secondly, for the government contractor, we engaged him through the open tender. Certainly, there's room for further consideration by the Government. But, I think the law is still new, that we would like to have more observations and consider the way forward later.
 
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)

Ends/Thursday, January 10, 2019
Issued at HKT 19:04

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