The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) today (January 14) said that, through smart enforcement and interdepartmental collaboration, it has successfully tackled an illegal waste disposal blackspot on Yick Yuen Road, Tuen Mun, significantly improving environmental and hygienic conditions. Over 50 prosecutions were instituted during the operation.

     Yick Yuen Road in Tuen Mun is situated in a remote rural area, surrounded by villages and brownfields. Following the commencement of the Hung Shui Kiu/Ha Tsuen New Development Area project, residents in the vicinity of Yick Yuen Road had gradually relocated. The EPD had identified illegal waste disposal at a concealed and remote roadside spot on Yick Yuen Road since mid-last year. The situation has grown increasingly severe, adversely affecting environmental hygiene.

     The EPD promptly co-ordinated with the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department, the Highways Department, the Civil Engineering and Development Department, and the Lands Department to jointly work out an action plan. A series of interdepartmental collaborative measures were implemented, including setting up a smart surveillance system to detect illegal activities, swiftly clearing waste to prevent the deterioration of hygiene conditions, as well as placing concrete barriers and warning signage to deter further violations. During the initial phase of the operation (from June to August 2025), the EPD utilised the smart surveillance system to quickly identify vehicles transporting waste for illegal disposal at the site and prosecuted the registered owners of the relevant vehicles. Among these, several small-scale works or transport companies were found to be involved in repeated illegal dumping of large quantities of waste and demolition materials. These prompt prosecutions had a significant deterrent effect, resulting in a substantial reduction in violations in the subsequent months.

     An EPD spokesman said, "The department has been concerned about the rural areas of the New Territories, especially some public places such as remote roadsides or laybys, which are easily becoming illegal waste disposal sites. The waste deposited at this site, including some large-sized commercial and industrial (C&I) waste, not only created obstruction to pathways but also caused environmental hygiene problems. The EPD will continue to combine technology-driven enforcement with interdepartmental collaboration in its commitment to improving the living environment."

     The spokesman appealed to all sectors, especially members of the logistics and construction industries, to properly dispose of waste in accordance with the laws. The logistics sector and the C&I sector may contact recyclers to collect C&I waste with reusable or recycling value, while non-recyclable waste should be delivered to refuse transfer stations or landfills.

     According to the Public Cleansing and Prevention of Nuisances Regulation (Chapter 132BK), it is an offence to dispose of waste on streets or in public places from vehicles, including goods vehicles, private cars and motorcycles. The registered vehicle owners concerned may be prosecuted. Offenders are liable to a maximum fine of $25,000 and six months' imprisonment.

Ends/Wednesday, January 14, 2026
Issued at HKT 11:30

NNNN