HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
19
this category of waste is disposed properly in the landfill sites. This service, although not a statutory duty, is of historic origin. A consultant appointed by the Administration is studying the various aspects of the Centralized Incineration Facilities which will handle special waste including clinical waste, under the Clinical Waste Control Scheme. The Department is being consulted on matters affecting its operation, particularly in the disposal of animal carcasses from households, veterinary clinics, the streets, etc. According to the proposed schedule, the new Facilities should be ready in 1997 and the Department has not been made aware of any delay to the Scheme. The Department will consider withdrawing its present limited service when these new Facilities are operational and the Government has made appropriate Regulations under the Waste Disposal Ordinance.
6. The fourth part of the question is about the Council's policy in discouraging market stall lessees and the public from using non-degradable plastic bags in public markets. There is no specific Council policy to reduce the use of plastic bags in Urban Council markets. Theoretically it might be possible to impose such restrictions on stall lessees. However this would not in fact be very practicable because to try to do so would give rise to conflicts between the Council and the stall lessees and subsequently between the stall lessees and their customers. Other retail outlets in the commercial sector do not generally impose similar prohibitions or restrictions on the use of plastic bags. It could thus significantly affect the viability of the Urban Council markets if the market stall lessees are compelled to stop using or limit supplies of plastic bags which customers can get freely from other shops and supermarkets. It should be acknowledged that this environmental issue is a long term battle and, at the present stage, should be more effectively dealt with through environmental pollution education. This is being done.
7. The fifth and the final part of the question is about the Council's previous efforts in environmental protection education. The Council is represented on the Working Group on Plastic Bags Reduction which organised the 'Plastic Bags Reduction Trial Scheme' early this year. As part of that Scheme, two Urban Council Markets, the Shek Tong Tsui Market and Kowloon City Market were being put on trial. The Working Group has conducted two surveys to measure the attitude and behavioural changes of the consumers and stall operators towards using plastic bags in the markets. The first survey was conducted before the trial scheme in February 1995, the other was conducted after the scheme late last month. The results of the surveys will now be analysed and, in the light of the findings the Working Group will be invited to formulate strategies to determine the way forward.
8. Finally, Members will be aware that a Consultant appointed by the Administration is in the process of finalising a study on various aspects of waste reduction under which the feasibility of various kinds of waste separation and reduction are being examined. Recommendations arising from the consultancy will be studied by the Administration, and the two Municipal Councils will ...
Page 41 of 485
Page 41 of 485
Page 41 of 485
Page 41 of 485
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
19
this category of waste is disposed properly in the landfill sites. This service. although not a statutory duty, is of historic origin. A consultant appointed by the Administration is studying the various aspects of the Centralized Incineration Facilities which will handle special waste including clinical waste, under the Clinical Waste Control Scheme. The Department is being consulted on matters affecting its operation, particularly in the disposal of animal carcasses from households, veterinary clinics, the streets, etc. Accordingly to the proposed schedule, the new Facilities should be ready in 1997 and the Department has not been made aware of any delay to the Scheme. The Department will consider withdrawing its present limited service when these new Facilities are operational and the Government has made appropriate Regualtions under the Waste Disposal Ordinance.
6. The fourth part of the question is about the Council's policy in discouraging market stall lessees and the public from using non-degradable plastic bags in public markets. There is no specific Council policy to reduce the use of plastic bags in Urban Council markets. Theoretically it might be possible Lo impose such restrictions on stall lessees. However this would not in fact be very practicable because to try to do so would give rise to conflicts between the Council and the stall lessees and subsequently between the stall lessees and their customers. Other retail outlets in the commercial sector. do not generally impose similar prohibitions or restrictions on the use of plastic bags. It could thus significantly affect the viability of the Urban Council markets if the market stall lessces are compelled to stop using or limit supplies of plastic bags which customers can get freely from other shops and supermarkets. It should be acknowledged that this environmental issue is a long term battle and, at the present stage, should be more effectively dealt with through environmental pollution education. This is being done.
7.
The fifth and the final part of the question is about the Council's previous efforts in environmental protection education. The Council is represented on the Working Group on Plastic Bags Reduction which organised the 'Plastic Bags Reduction Trial Scheme' early this year. As part of that Scheme, two Urban Council Markets, the Shek Tong Tsui Market and Kowloon City Market were being put on trial. The Working Group has conducted two surveys to measure the attitude and behaviourial changes of the consumers and stall operators towards using plastic bags in the markets. The first survey was conducted before the trial scheme in February 1995, the other was conducted after the scheme late last month. The results of the surveys will now be analysed and, in the light of the findings the Working Group will be invited to formulate strategies to determine the way forward.
8. Finally. Members will be aware that a Consultant appointed by the Administration is in the process of finalising a study on various aspects of waste reduction under which the feasibility of various kinds of waste separation and reduction are being examined. Recommendations arising from the consultancy will be studied by the Administration, and the two Municipal Councils will of
Page 41 of 485
Page 41 of 485
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.