TNAG-1980-FCO40-2813-Pollution-in-Hong-Kong-1989 — Page 28

CONFIDENTIAL

16

-

the paragraphs above will generally achieve this aim.

2.35

The Government

exa mine

therefore intends to more fully

measures to li mit the amount of waste generated,

and to encourage the recovery and recycling of wastes. The

pri me objectives are to reduce the demand on the limited

space available at landfill disposal sites and restrict the

generation of wastes that give rise to litter problems.

2.36

There is already a substantial waste recovery

industry in Hong Kong. $1.7 billion of recovered waste was

exported in 1987, for recycling elsewhere. Apart from

these export earnings, the industry a lso contri butes

directly towards reducing the a mount of waste Government

has to dispose of.

2.37

now

Further opportunities

to

The EP D is

recover wastes should

be explored.

now assessing other

possibilities, such as the recovery of waste at source,

the

new recycling technologies, and the

introduction

of

Government

expansion of the present waste recovery activities. Many

waste materials that are currently disposed of at lan dfills

have comparatively low recovery value, and would require

more elaborate reprocessing and marketing for the recycled

products.

therefore intends to identify

practicable measures with a view to promoting, facilitating

and supporting waste recovery and recycling schemes that

have an overall beneficial effect on waste management.

However direct participation in

waste recovery and

recy cling activities is not appropriate for Government.

The measures identified by Government should comp le ment the

industry, which has the knowledge and flexibility required

to operate viable recycling developments.

CONFIDENTIAL