ENG-1996 — Page 483

THE ENVIRONMENT

Livestock Waste

Indiscriminate disposal of waste from the livestock industry was one of the main causes of pollution in streams in the New Territories, and constituted a health hazard. Under the Waste Disposal Ordinance, livestock-keeping has been banned in urban and environmentally-sensitive areas of Hong Kong. Where they are allowed, however, all livestock farms must be equipped with proper waste treatment systems. Livestock farmers wishing to continue in business are eligible for a grant and a loan to help pay for pollution-control facilities. Since the start of the scheme in 1987, about $33 million has been paid out in capital grants. Farmers ceasing business are eligible for an allowance and about $837 million has been paid.

During the year, the livestock waste control scheme prevented pollution equivalent to the raw sewage from 100 000 people being discharged into the environment. This brought the total reduction in livestock waste pollution to over 75 per cent since the inception of the control scheme.

Ozone A Global Responsibility

The Ozone Layer Protection Ordinance controls ozone depleting substances and fulfils Hong Kong's international obligations under the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer. This law prohibits local manufacture of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and halogenated hydrocarbons (halons), methyl chloroform, carbon tetrachloride, methyl bromide, 34 hydrobromofluorocarbons (HBFCs) and 34 hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), and its licensing and quota controls restrict the import and export of these substances.

Import of CFCs, carbon tetrachloride, methyl chloroform, and HBFCs for local consumption were prohibited from January 1996. A quota system for controlling local HCFCs consumption was also implemented. In 1996, there were 19 prosecutions with fines totalling $417,500.

Neighbourhood Noise

Noise originating from domestic premises and public places is called neighbourhood noise and is handled by the police in response to complaints. In 1996, the police dealt with some 3 300 complaints and 25 offenders were convicted.

Provision of Facilities and Services

Hong Kong produces two million tonnes of sewage and more than 8 000 tonnes of municipal solid wastes every day. To deal with the sewage, the government will upgrade the local sewerage networks through the implementation of Sewerage Master Plans. Under the Strategic Sewage Disposal Scheme (SSDS), a new system of collection shafts and tunnels is being built to transfer the sewage from the main urban areas to a central treatment plant on Stonecutters Island. Eventually, treated effluent will be disposed of through an oceanic outfall.

Domestic, commercial and industrial wastes are collectively referred to as municipal solid waste. It is forecast that, by 2006, some 13 000 tonnes of municipal solid waste will require collection and disposal each day. The government is tackling the solid waste problem through replacing the old facilities with high-standard new facilities together with improved waste management services. Waste reduction measures are

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