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16
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the paragraphs above will generally achieve this aim.
2.35
The Government
exa mine
therefore intends to more fully
measures to li mit the amount of waste generated,
and to encourage the recovery and recycling of wastes. The
pri me objectives are to reduce the demand on the limited
space available at landfill disposal sites and restrict the
generation of wastes that give rise to litter problems.
2.36
There is already a substantial waste recovery
industry in Hong Kong. $1.7 billion of recovered waste was
exported in 1987, for recycling elsewhere. Apart from
these export earnings, the industry a lso contri butes
directly towards reducing the a mount of waste Government
has to dispose of.
2.37
now
Further opportunities
to
The EP D is
recover wastes should
be explored.
now assessing other
possibilities, such as the recovery of waste at source,
the
new recycling technologies, and the
introduction
of
Government
expansion of the present waste recovery activities. Many
waste materials that are currently disposed of at lan dfills
have comparatively low recovery value, and would require
more elaborate reprocessing and marketing for the recycled
products.
therefore intends to identify
practicable measures with a view to promoting, facilitating
and supporting waste recovery and recycling schemes that
have an overall beneficial effect on waste management.
However direct participation in
waste recovery and
recy cling activities is not appropriate for Government.
The measures identified by Government should comp le ment the
industry, which has the knowledge and flexibility required
to operate viable recycling developments.
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