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The Environment
waste. Under this 'reduction first' strategy, the Government encourages waste reduction and recycling through various measures to achieve the goal of recovering 55 per cent of municipal solid waste by 2015 and plans adequate environmental infrastructure to tackle Hong Kong's waste problem.
Waste reduction and recovery have always played an important role in waste management. Substantial quantities of recyclable materials are recovered and exported for recycling outside Hong Kong. Plastics, paper and metals are the major recyclables exported for recycling, contributing to over 90 per cent of the total quantity of recovered waste. The Government also promotes local recycling and has developed a 20-hectare EcoPark in Tuen Mun Area 38 for exclusive use by the recycling and environmental industry. Fourteen lots in EcoPark Phases 1 and 2 have been let to waste recyclers.
The territory-wide Source Separation of Waste Programme covers over 80 per cent of the population. To further promote waste reduction and recycling and provide outlets for recyclables of low commercial value in the community, in 2011 the Government launched the Community Recycling Network and, in collaboration with the District Councils, a programme to enhance community participation through district-based education, promotion and waste recycling programmes and activities.
International experience suggests that municipal solid waste charging can effectively reduce waste. A public consultation in 2012 showed majority support for a quantity-based charging system and the Council on Sustainable Development will consult the public further on the implementation details.
In line with the polluter-pays principle, the Government aims to create economic incentives to encourage recovery, recycling and waste reduction. The Government has started drafting legislative proposals to extend the Environmental Levy Scheme on Plastic Shopping Bags to cover all retailers and has also taken further action on mandatory producer responsibility schemes on waste electrical and electronic equipment. Meanwhile, the EPD continues to promote and support trade-funded voluntary recycling programmes and is examining possible charging options for Hong Kong in respect of municipal solid waste.
Landfills
All municipal solid waste is disposed of at three large strategic landfills in the New Territories, which are operated to high environmental standards.
In 2012, 3.4 million tonnes of municipal solid waste was disposed of. About 68 per cent was domestic waste and the remainder was commercial and industrial waste. On average, each person in Hong Kong disposed of about 1.3 kilogrammes of municipal solid waste daily. It is estimated that the three landfills will be filled to capacity by the mid- to late-2010s. Planning work for the extension of all three landfills is under way.
Hong Kong has 13 old landfills, which have been restored for safety and environmental reasons. Recreational facilities have been or will be built on most of the restored sites.
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