Page 101 of 212
134
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
not arise again, that the sale of the product should continue by public tender. The interested party was informed of the Committee's decision on 14th August, 1973, and was invited to tender for the product along with any others who were similarly interested.
(3) MR. ALEX S. C. Wu asked the following question (in English): –
(a) In view of mounting pressures on refuse collection services due to the continuing increase in high-rise buildings throughout Hong Kong and Kowloon, and because recruitment of adequate labour for these services is a recurring difficulty, can this Council be informed if consideration has been given to the introduction of mechanical garbage disposal units in the sinks of domestic and licensed premises, as is common in numerous other countries nowadays?
(b) If so, can this Council be informed in detail of the implications of such a system, in terms of its extra loading on the sewerage system, possible discharge complications, etc.?
(c) If not, and since such system would greatly reduce the daily amount of refuse requiring to be handled, could urgent consideration be given to its introduction in close consultation with the Drainage Office of the Public Works Department and other Government departments involved, if necessary even as a requirement and condition for all restaurants and food factories licensed by the Council and as a generally desirable, if not compulsory, requirement for all new domestic premises?
DR. DENNY M. H. HUANG, CHAIRMAN OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE SELECT COMMITTEE, replied as follows (in Cantonese): ---
This question concerns the possible introduction of mechanical garbage disposal units in the sinks of domestic and licensed premises.
Our Select Committee has consulted experts in the Public Works Department, and also based on the information of the U.K. and United Nations, it is considered that this is not feasible in Hong Kong. But because my
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
135
answer is very long, I ask that, according to the Standing Order, the answer be tabled.
In reply to the first part of the question, the answer is that mechanical garbage disposal units are already in use in several leading hotels in Hong Kong and are believed to have been installed also in some domestic premises. The Urban Services Department has not given any serious consideration to the general introduction of such units, but there is no restriction on their installation and use at present. The decision on whether they should be permitted to be used generally in domestic premises rests with the Public Works Department, in particular the Buildings Ordinance Office and the Drainage Office. It is understood that the matter is under continuous study because of the possibility of increased harbour pollution should they become widely used.
While it is true that the mechanical garbage disposal units, if put into common use in the city, would reduce the bulk of refuse to be collected every day, the benefit in terms of saving may not be as great as might be expected. In England, it has been estimated that such units can deal with only about 10% of the domestic refuse by weight from a centrally-heated flat. In Hong Kong, despite the different living habits of the population, the portion of household refuse that can be disposed of by these units is not expected to be more than 20% (based on the result of a special 1969 refuse analysis carried out in Kowloon), but it must be emphasized that a normal collection service still has to be provided for the remainder of the refuse.
With regard to the implications of this system in relation to Hong Kong, it is thought that introduction of the units on a general basis at this time would be premature. Whilst it is recognized that these units will, to a very limited extent, relieve a little of the ever-mounting pressure on refuse collection services and at the same time contribute to a better living environment, the installation of this type of kitchen garbage disposal unit is subject to a number of limitations; which are:
(a) the cost of its installation and maintenance, including power consumption, is believed to be quite high.
Page 102 of 212
136
...
Page 102 of 212
136