Page 223 of 485
rage 223 of 485
Page 223 of 485
198
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
about implemention with the Government or the private sector. The basic problem is, there is no proper way of treating the categorised refuse, so I think it is the right time for the Urban Services Department to do something. Even if the Central Government is hesitant, the Department or the Council should be able to do something single-handedly.
So, with these brief remarks, I support Mr. To's motion.
Mr. Steven Hung Chung-fun (in Cantonese):—Thank you, Mr. Chairman. After knowing this motion, I had a feeling in my heart and I felt excited. But this excitement faded as Members spoke. I feel that in the present day we talk about protecting the environment not because we want to have progress. In fact, the subject of today's debate is raised only basing on the fact that Hong Kong is facing a crisis in development. The so-called environmental protection policy that Members mentioned is only a result of inundation of instrumentalism that everybody wants to do something together. Do what? It is the so-called environmental protection. What kind of environmental protection is that? It is only treating the refuse through a certain process to achieve the purpose of protecting the environment. But that is inadequate. We ought to be aware that our society is already developing to an advanced stage. Just think of the large quantity of paper used for the meetings of the Council. Are we using more paper than we need? Mr. To has just mentioned that the cost of paper purchased amounts to $20 billion. You can see how staggering the quantity is.
I think what we should do thoroughly is reducing the consumption of paper rather than purchasing paper and then having it burnt. Can the central incinerator system really solve the problem of environmental pollution? There is one thing that Members must know—those who have handled waste paper recycling in schools are well aware of this. Do you know how much you can get for selling 100 catties of waste paper? Can the selling price cover the pay for the workman who comes from afar to remove the heavy paper with a cart? Can the workman recover what he has spent in terms of effort and energy? You should know that 100 catties of waste paper is worth only $20-odd and when the price of paper drops, the price of waste paper will be below this figure and so some recycling firms even refuse to buy the waste paper. Even if we have retrieved the whole lot of waste paper that is worth $20 billion, can we find buyers in the current market? This is really a problem.
I have to point out that it is wrong to think that the mentioned problems of environmental protection can be solved merely by waste recycling. But having said that, the waste produced should be recycled somehow, but we have to get to the core of the problem, i.e. we should do more to reduce the amount of waste produced.
The question was put.
The motion was carried unanimously.
Page 223 of 485
Page 223 of 485
Page 223 of 485