HEALTH
Waste is collected daily throughout the year, except on Lunar New Year's Day. The department has 383 refuse collection vehicles for collecting domestic waste and junk. During the year, about 5 969 tonnes of household waste were collected every day.
In older districts, the FEHD provides 38 public bathhouses 11 on Hong Kong Island, 16 in Kowloon and 11 in the New Territories and outlying islands.
To meet growing public expectations, various measures have been taken by the department to improve public toilet facilities, including stationing cleaners in toilets. with high usage rates. Under a regular refurbishment programme, 43 public toilets were renovated in 2000.
Clean Hong Kong
In an effort to improve the HKSAR's environmental hygiene conditions, the Government launched a new Clean Hong Kong programme in December. Under the guidance of a Steering Committee on Clean Hong Kong, various enhanced cleansing as well as public education and publicity measures have been drawn up for phased implementation to bring about visible and sustainable improvements.
District Councils and community groups are being invited to participate in Clean Hong Kong activities to signify a renewed public commitment to a cleaner Hong Kong.
Abatement of Sanitary Nuisances
Accumulation of refuse, choked or defective plumbing systems, water dripping from air-conditioners, and water seepage inside private premises are common sanitary nuisances. To tackle these problems, the FEHD issues statutory notices that require abatement of nuisance. Prosecution will be initiated against those who fail to comply with the notice within a specified period. During the year, the department issued 2 371 statutory notices and 11 prosecutions were initiated.
Pest Control
Prevention of vector-borne and rodent-borne diseases is an important task of the FEHD. The methodology used in pest control is continuously reviewed to enhance effectiveness and efficacy. Anti-rodent and anti-mosquito campaigns were mounted throughout Hong Kong during the year.
Cemeteries and Crematoria
As land is a limited resource in the HKSAR, it is the Government's policy to encourage cremation of the dead. Normally, human remains buried in public cemeteries have to be exhumed after six years and either cremated or reinterred in an urn cemetery.
The FEHD operates six government crematoria and 11 public cemeteries, and oversees the management of 28 private cemeteries.
Food and Trade Licensing
The FEHD is the authority responsible for the licensing of food businesses and the issuing of permits for the sale of restricted foods including frozen confections, sushi and sashimi. It also issues trade licences to places of public entertainment such as theatres, cinemas and entertainment machine centres. In addition, it issues trade
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