Recycling site in Yuen Long convicted again for illegal storage of hazardous electronic waste
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A spokesman for the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) said that during a blitz operation in November last year, EPD enforcement officers successfully raided a recycling site in Shek Wu Wai, Yuen Long, and found that around 120 waste LCD monitors, which are classified as chemical waste, with an estimated export market value of approximately $20,000 were illegally stored at an open space in the site. The EPD initiated prosecutions against the operating company and the person-in-charge of the recycling site under the Waste Disposal (Chemical Waste) (General) Regulation after gathering evidence. Lately, EPD enforcement officers conducted another inspection of the site and noticed that no waste LCD monitors or other chemical waste were stored at the site. The EPD believes that a series of enforcement actions taken by the department has strengthened the deterrent effect.
The spokesman stressed that dismantled waste printed circuit boards, LCD monitors and cathode ray tubes are hazardous e-waste, containing heavy metals and other toxic substances. They are classified as chemical waste. Chemical waste is hazardous by nature and, if not properly handled and transported, will pollute the environment as well as pose a risk to the health of relevant trade practitioners and the general public. The EPD will continue to strictly combat the illegal collection, storage, handling and import of hazardous e-waste by recycling sites. The spokesman reminded operating companies and persons-in-charge of recycling sites that offenders would be liable to a maximum fine of $200,000 and six months' imprisonment for the first conviction. For subsequent offences, offenders are liable to a maximum fine of $500,000 and two years' imprisonment.
For more information about the control of chemical waste, please visit the EPD's website: www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/environmentinhk/waste/guide_ref/guide_cwc.html.
Ends/Tuesday, May 28, 2019
Issued at HKT 14:40
Issued at HKT 14:40
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