HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
mainstream should not be incineration, but more work on waste recovery. The Chairman mentioned that heat from incinerators could generate electricity and be sold to power companies for monetary return. I did talk to the senior management of power companies recently on this possibility. The response was that the Council should not place too much hope on it since there was already an excess of supply of electricity. If the Urban Council is serious about this, first of all, we have to ensure steadiness in power supply. It would not be workable if there was sizable supply in one month and diminished supply in another.
As such, I would say that the prospect of selling electricity generated from incinerators for export or to our two power companies is dim. Let us forget selling to China because Guangdong Province can generate more electricity than we can. That channel is closed. I would say that we could perhaps consider supplying electricity to Council facilities. I did move a motion several years ago for the Council's motor fleet to be powered by electricity. Technology in this field is now very advanced and electric vehicles are in use in Japan. If we can set up power stations in our districts, I think the electricity generated from incinerators can supply for around 300 vehicles of the Council. It is something to consider,
In the Department, there is a green manager. I think his work should be revised. I also wonder if the Council has a policy to allocate a percentage of the budget for environmental protection work. I can't see what we can do, apart from using fewer pieces of paper as suggested by the former Director of the Department. What can the Department do? Let us search ourselves and ask whether the Council is a body for environmental protection. I think this is worth our deep thoughts. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
MR. CHAN KWOK-LEUNG (in Cantonese): Mr. Chairman, reducing pollution from solid waste helps protect the environment. The only effective way to tackle the problem is to start from the source. That is why this Council as well as central government need to formulate an effective policy to reduce waste. Waste management is only the second priority. Introducing high temperature systems (incinerators) to help reduce the volume of solid waste will be an after-care measure for the environment. Let me stress again that it is only an after-care measure for the protection of the environment.
The Environmental Protection Department has just compiled a study report in the form of a Draft Paper. It affirms that the principle and direction to generate less waste is correct. However, on measures proposed, we find the Draft Paper passive. It suggests that a system based on voluntary involvement is most suitable for Hong Kong and that compulsory actions will only be taken when necessary. This approach reduces waste reduction measures to no more than propaganda and empty talk. The real targets will not be attained. Take the example of this Council's call for the use of fewer plastic bags, it has been going on for many years but the effects are questionable. The principle of
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