Another plastic recycling workshop in New Territories convicted of causing air pollution
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The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) recently stepped up law enforcement actions against non-compliant operations of plastic recycling workshops. Staff of the EPD conducted an inspection of Ping Shan, Yuen Long in November last year and confirmed that the workshop operated there by Hong Kong Golden Plastic Limited was causing an odour nuisance by producing plastic pellets after an assessment. Under the APCO, the EPD issued an air pollution abatement notice to Hong Kong Golden Plastic Limited, requesting the company to improve the situation by a deadline. After the expiry of the deadline, enforcement officers of the EPD conducted two follow-up inspections of the workshop in March this year and discovered that the situation was not improving. Subsequently, the EPD initiated a prosecution against the company.
A spokesman for the EPD reminded operators of plastic recycling workshops that they must properly service and maintain their plastic management facilities with a view to ensuring their effective operation. Operators of plastic recycling workshops should equip them with suitable and effective air pollution control equipment, for instance, adopting fully enclosed production lines and installing effective ventilation and air purifying systems for their workshops and production lines to reduce air pollutant emissions. In addition, operators of plastic recycling workshops should arrange for experienced technicians to carry out regular inspections and maintenance so as to avoid causing air pollution nuisances to residents nearby. The EPD will continue to step up inspections of plastic recycling workshops with a view to strictly combating illegal activities.
According to the APCO, anyone failing to comply with any requirement of an air pollution abatement notice commits an offence. Offenders are liable to a maximum fine of $100,000 on first conviction. A maximum fine of $200,000 and six months' imprisonment may be imposed on subsequent convictions.
Ends/Tuesday, August 20, 2019
Issued at HKT 14:51
Issued at HKT 14:51
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