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THE ENVIRONMENT

The Waste Disposal Ordinance complements the Water Pollution Control Ordinance in controlling industrial pollution. It provides the statutory framework for managing all solid and semi-solid waste in Hong Kong.

The Waste Disposal (Chemical Waste) (General) Regulation controls all chemical waste. Chemical waste producers must register with the EPD. They must pack, label and temporarily store their chemical waste properly before its delivery to licensed facilities for treatment and disposal. Only facilities capable of treating, recycling or disposing of chemical waste in an environmentally acceptable manner can obtain a licence. Licensing control also applies to the collection and transportation of chemical waste. The licence conditions require a sound operation employing fully- trained and skilled staff, and proper equipment and vehicles. The Chemical Waste Treatment Centre on Tsing Yi Island run by a government contractor is the main licensed disposal facility and collector for chemical waste. Its operator provides vehicles for the collection of waste from the waste producers.

Many factories and commercial activities produce air-borne emissions. The EPD operates a range of controls under the Air Pollution Control Ordinance and its subsidiary regulations, including specific controls on furnaces and chimneys, dark smoke emissions, fuel composition and specified processes. A regulation to ban the open burning of waste materials came into operation in February 1996 and a regulation to control dust emissions from construction works will be enacted early in 1997.

Nuisance and other environmental problems caused by air pollution arouse great public concern, especially when factories are near homes. In connection with such problems, 140 legal notices were issued and 3 200 complaints were investigated.

Certain industrial facilities and processes liable to cause significant air pollution are targeted for control. Exemptions from licensing control granted to owners of some existing specified process premises are being removed in phases up to 1998. In 1996, about 67 per cent of the specified process premises have been brought under licensing control.

Noise from industrial or commercial activities is controlled by means of Noise Abatement Notices (NANS). The department may serve NANs to require the owners of premises emitting excessive noise to reduce it within a given period. In 1996, around 2 300 complaints were investigated and some 200 NANs served, which led to about 100 convictions.

Floating Refuse in the Harbour

The Marine Department collects floating refuse through a combined fleet of government and contract vessels. Enforcement actions have been stepped up also through collaboration between the Agriculture and Fisheries, Urban Services, Regional Services and Marine Departments. Since July 1996, Fisheries Officers of the Agriculture and Fisheries Department have been empowered to issue citations against marine littering in Fish Culture Zones.

More refuse collection points have been set up in frequently used areas and publicity and educational activities increased. In February 1996, the Marine Department was allocated $50.4 million to modernise its refuse collection and scavenging fleet in phases over three years. Six new specialised vessels will be acquired and an extra 29 contract vessels hired to strengthen the refuse collection service.

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