THE ENVIRONMENT
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Operators ceasing business are eligible for an allowance to help tide them over until they find other employment. About $770 million has been paid out in such allowances, of which about $80 million was handed out in 1995.
During the year, the livestock waste control scheme stopped pollution equivalent to the raw sewage from 140 000 people being discharged into the environment. This brought the total reduction in livestock waste pollution to over 70 per cent since the inception of the control scheme.
Ozone A Global Responsibility
The Ozone Layer Protection Ordinance was enacted in 1989 to control ozone- depleting substances and fulfil Hong Kong's international obligations under the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer. This law prohibits local manufacturing of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and halogenated hydrocarbons (halons), and its licensing and quota controls restrict the import and export of these substances.
The quota system works well, as do the provisions for dealing with those who do not stick to the rules. In 1995, there were 17 prosecutions with fines totalling $311,000. The ordinance was amended in 1992 and 1994 and the control of ozone- depleting substances extended to cover methyl chloroform, 10 additional CFCs, carbon tetrachloride, methyl bromide, 34 hydrobromofluorocarbons (HBFCs) and 34 hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs).
From January 1, 1995, methyl bromide imports for local consumption were restricted to quarantine and pre-shipment treatment of cargoes. No HBFC import or export licences have been issued since June 14, 1995, for consignments which originate from or are designated for non-party countries to the Montreal Protocol. Imports of HBFCs into Hong Kong for local consumption are banned from January 1, 1996, when a quota allocation system for controlling local HCFC consumption will be implemented.
The Montreal Protocol has been successfully implemented. Halon imports were banned from January 1, 1994, and the CFC import quota was cut to 25 per cent in 1995, to be followed by a complete ban in 1996.
Neighbourhood Noise
Noise originating from domestic premises and public places is called neighbourhood noise and is handled by the police in response to complaints. In 1995, the police dealt with 3 006 complaints and 38 offenders were convicted.
Provision of Facilities and Services
Hong Kong produces two million tonnes of sewage and 8 000 tonnes of municipal solid wastes every day. To deal with the sewage, the government will upgrade the local sewerage networks through the implementation of sewerage masterplans. Under the Strategic Sewage Disposal Scheme (SSDS), a new system of collection shafts and tunnels to transfer the sewage from the main urban areas to a central treatment plant on Stonecutters Island. Eventually, treated effluent will be disposed of through an oceanic outfall although, as an interim arrangement, a temporary outfall off Stonecutters Island will be used.