EPD to assume management of roadside recycling bins and concludes public engagement exercise of newly designed recycling bins and litter containers in public places (with photos)

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The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) will take over the management of recycling bins in public places such as roadsides from the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) starting from tomorrow (October 1). Under the new arrangement, the collection of recyclables and general waste will be managed by the EPD and the FEHD respectively. Also, the public engagement exercise for newly designed recycling bins and litter containers in public places in the future has been completed and the new design has received general public support.

A spokesman for the EPD said today (September 30), "The recycling bins in public places such as roadsides will be enhanced to achieve 'Bigger Capacity, Easy Reporting'. The EPD also added a number of new requirements in the new contract of recyclables collection services to increase their efficiency and strengthen the public's confidence in the proper handling of recyclables."

In terms of "Bigger Capacity", the litter compartment currently connected with the recycling bins will be changed to collect recyclables such as waste plastics to increase the collection capacity and help the public avoid putting litter into recycling bins by mistake. This should help increase the cleanliness of recyclables collected along the roadside.

For "Easy Reporting", new labels with a QR code and service hotline number will be put on the recycling bins to facilitate the public to report matters such as overfilled or damaged bins to improve the efficiency of the recyclables collection contractor in taking follow-up actions.

The EPD will also strengthen the monitoring of recyclables collection services, including the processes for collection, transportation and sorting of recyclables, and the recycling capability downstream, to ensure that recyclables are properly handled, thus turning waste into resources. Starting from mid-September, the EPD has progressively replaced the labels on the recycling bins with the new design. The enhancement measures will take effect once the new labels are affixed.

The spokesman added that there are about 1 800 sets of recyclable separation bins throughout the territory, including those on pavement and at public transport interchanges and rural areas. The EPD will continue to review the distribution and usage of these recycling bins. If, for example, there is frequent abuse of the bins at certain locations due to dumping of litter into them, thereby affecting their recycling effectiveness, the department will make suitable adjustments to enhance the efficiency in recycling service.

Moreover, having taken into consideration the recommendations of the Steering Group on the Modification of Recycling and Refuse Collection Facilities in Public Places, the EPD and relevant departments have reviewed the design of recycling bins and litter containers in public places and conducted a public engagement exercise in July and August to collect public views through roving exhibitions. Members of the public generally welcomed and supported the new design and the functional improvements made to protect occupational safety and health. Relevant departments are fine-tuning the design having regard to the feedback collected. The design will be finalised with reference to the outcomes of field trials, which will be conducted in selected locations next year.

The newly designed recycling bins and litter containers are expected to be rolled out and replace the existing ones gradually from 2022, with a view to further supporting the public to practise clean recycling and frontline personnel to collect the waste and recyclables.

Ends/Wednesday, September 30, 2020
Issued at HKT 17:00

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The Environmental Protection Department will take over the management of recycling bins in public places such as roadsides from the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department tomorrow (October 1). The litter compartment currently connected with the recycling bins will be changed to collect recyclables. New labels with a QR code and service hotline number will be put on the recycling bins to enable the public to report matters such as overfilled or damaged bins. Picture shows a roadside recycling bin with new labels.

The Environmental Protection Department and relevant departments have reviewed the design of recycling bins and litter containers in public places and conducted a public engagement exercise in July and August to collect public views through roving exhibitions. Members of the public generally welcomed and supported the new design and functional improvements made to protect occupational safety and health. Relevant departments are fine-tuning the design, having regard to the feedback collected. Picture shows the proposed new design of the recycling bins and litter containers.