Waste statistics for 2021 published
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The total quantity of solid waste disposed of at landfills was 5.67 million tonnes in 2021 and the average daily quantity was 15 533 tonnes, representing an increase of 5.4 per cent as compared to 2020. Regarding MSW, the total quantity of disposal at landfills was 4.15 million tonnes and the average daily quantity was 11 358 tonnes, representing an increase of 5.1 per cent from 2020. As far as the per capita MSW disposal rate per day is concerned, the 2021 figure was 1.53 kilograms, up from 1.44 kilograms in 2020. In the past few years, MSW disposal had been affected by various special social conditions. Having been affected by local social unrest in the second half of 2019 and the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, MSW disposal fell for two consecutive years, from the average daily quantity of 11 428 tonnes in 2018 to a low level of 10 809 tonnes in 2020. Subsequently, with the easing of the pandemic and the relaxation of social distancing measures, economic activities increased in 2021 (real GDP growth of 6.3 per cent in 2021), leading to a rebound in waste disposal in that year.
Food waste was still the largest component of MSW in 2021, accounting for 30 per cent, followed by waste plastics (21 per cent). These shares are comparable to those in 2020. Waste paper was the third largest component, accounting for 20 per cent, less than the corresponding share in 2020.
Despite the increase in waste disposal, the overall MSW recovery rate rose from 28 per cent in 2020 to 31 per cent in 2021 as driven by various recycling measures launched by the EPD. The quantity of MSW recovered for local recycling was about 280 000 tonnes in 2021, representing an increase of more than 20 per cent compared to about 230 000 tonnes in 2020. Among them, the quantity of food waste recovered locally rose significantly from about 55 000 tonnes in 2020 to 66 000 tonnes in 2021, representing an increase of 21 per cent. The community recycling network GREEN@COMMUNITY under the EPD has received positive feedback from the public since its rebranding at the end of 2020. The quantity of waste recovered vastly increased by more than 2.5 times from about 4 000 tonnes in 2020 to about 14 000 tonnes in 2021.
Regarding construction waste, the quantity of waste generation (the sum of disposal and reuse) in 2021 dropped by about 6 per cent as compared with the 2020 level. The quantity transferred for direct reuse registered an increase of about 9 per cent and, since inert materials generated from some large-scale construction project were directly reused, the amount delivered to public fill reception facilities dropped by about 17 per cent. On the other hand, the quantity of construction waste disposed of at landfills increased by about 7 per cent, which might be due to relatively more demolition after closure of companies and shops amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The recovery rate of construction waste was 93 per cent in 2021, similar to that in 2020.
An EPD spokesman said, "The Government would work at full steam to implement various waste reduction and recycling measures in the Waste Blueprint for Hong Kong 2035 to achieve the vision of 'Waste Reduction‧Resources Circulation‧Zero Landfill'. Apart from actively preparing for the implementation of MSW charging next year at the earliest, we will launch a host of new initiatives. First example, we will introduce a bill into the Legislative Council next year to regulate disposable plastic tableware and other plastic products. Second, we will explore legislation requiring major housing estates and single-block buildings with a relatively large number of flats to collect separated recyclables and pass them to recyclers for processing. Third, a trial scheme on food waste collection in public rental housing estates was launched this October."
It is believed that with a multipronged approach, the public will gradually change their waste treatment habits, reduce waste at the source and practise resources recovery.
The report and "Hong Kong 2021 Municipal Solid Waste - At a Glance" are both available in electronic format and can be obtained from the EPD website at www.wastereduction.gov.hk/en/assistancewizard/waste_red_sat.htm.
Ends/Thursday, December 29, 2022
Issued at HKT 13:00
Issued at HKT 13:00
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