The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) today (December 22) published the report "Monitoring of Solid Waste in Hong Kong - Waste Statistics for 2024". It presents the 2024 statistics on disposal and recovery/recycling of solid waste generated in Hong Kong, including municipal solid waste (MSW) (covering both domestic waste and commercial and industrial waste), overall construction waste and special waste.
      
     The total quantity of MSW disposed of at landfills has dropped for three consecutive years to 3.85 million tonnes in 2024, and the average daily quantity was 10 510 tonnes, representing a decrease of 3.4 per cent comparing with the average of 10 884 tonnes in 2023. Among these, disposal of waste plastics has dropped by 11.1 per cent; disposal of food waste has dropped by 6.0 per cent; disposal of waste glass has decreased by 7.1 per cent. The per capita MSW disposal rate per day was 1.40 kilograms, down from 1.44 kilograms in 2023 by 3.3 per cent. Among the three major categories of MSW in 2024, food waste accounted for 29 per cent, followed by waste paper and waste plastics, accounting for 23 per cent and 18 per cent respectively.
      
     With the implementation of various measures by the Government in promoting food waste recycling and plastic-free culture, including the implementation of the regulation on disposable plastic products in 2024, both the shares of disposal of food waste and waste plastics had decreased compared to 2023. The drop in the disposal amount of waste plastics also reflected the increasing global awareness of being "plastic-free" in recent years and the effectiveness of the Government's active promotion of various related measures. Since the Government enhanced the Plastic Shopping Bag Charging Scheme on December 31, 2022, the amount of plastic shopping bags disposed in 2024 has dropped to 56 408 tonnes, down from 63 367 tonnes in 2023 by 11 per cent. Meanwhile, the share of waste paper has increased; this was mainly paper waste other than cardboard, newsprint, office paper or tetrapak that could not be easily recycled.
      
     The overall MSW recovery rate has risen for four consecutive years. The latest figures show that it rose from 33 per cent in 2023 to 34 per cent in 2024 and the increase in the total recovery amount was about 50 000 tonnes. The increase was mainly driven by the recycling of food waste (around 26 000 tonnes) and ferrous metal recyclables (around 53 000 tonnes).
      
     An EPD spokesperson said that in order to achieve the vision of "Waste Reduction‧Resources Circulation‧Zero Landfill" by 2035, the current term Government is working at full steam to promote the culture of waste reduction and recovery, and to encourage active participation in waste reduction by citizens through the community recycling network GREEN@COMMUNITY and the food waste collection network. The latest statistics show that the current-term Government has successfully reversed the long-term upward trend in waste disposal quantities. The recovery rate showed a continuous upward trend, reflecting the achievements of the Government's persistent effort in promoting waste reduction and recovery.
      
     Regarding construction waste, the overall quantity of construction waste generation in 2024 increased by about 4 945 tonnes per day (11 per cent) as compared to 2023, to 50 505 tonnes per day on average. The quantity of construction waste disposed of at landfills increased slightly by 6 per cent to about 4 694 tonnes per day. The construction activities performed by the main contractors in the same period increased by 6.3% compared to 2023. The overall construction waste recovery rate was above 90 per cent; the average quantity of construction waste reused was 45 810 tonnes per day.
      
     The Government will continue to encourage small-scale works to properly dispose of construction waste in a compliant and paid manner through publicity and education, strengthened enforcement actions, as well as a pilot scheme to assist with collection of construction waste. The EPD also encourages private enterprises to upcycle construction waste into products like eco-blocks, ceramic products and outdoor paving materials. In terms of land, there is an enterprise operating construction waste recycling facilities in the EcoPark, and the EPD has also provided land for short-term lease for the purpose of recycling construction waste. Moreover, the Recycling Fund has also subsidised different enterprises' projects on upcycling of construction waste.
      
     Looking ahead, seizing the opportunity of increasing public participation in waste reduction and recycling, the Government will further promote a green waste reduction and recycling culture in society and will take forward waste reduction and recycling initiatives along four directions, namely: (1) Strengthen publicity and education to change public behaviour and cultivate a green living culture; (2) Continue to enhance the recycling network; (3) Strengthen collaboration with industries to explore and take forward practical environmental protection measures; (4) Utilise market forces to develop environmental infrastructure and assist in the transition to a green economy.
      
     In the meantime, the Government is building an advanced and efficient network of modern waste-to-energy facilities at full steam. The first waste-to-energy facility for treating municipal solid waste, Integrated Waste Management Facilities Phase 1 (I·PARK1), commenced operation at the end of this year; and the Government is also working in full steam on the preparation work for Integrated Waste Management Facility Phase 2 (I·PARK2) to expand waste-to-energy capacity. The goal is to achieve zero landfill with the efforts of the HKSAR Government and citizens.
                 
     The report and "Hong Kong 2024 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/Monday, December 22, 2025
Issued at HKT 13:11

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