ENG-2010 — Page 348

290 | The Environment

Waste reduction and recovery have always played an important role in waste management, resulting in the export of substantial quantities of recovered recyclable materials for re-manufacturing outside Hong Kong. Plastics, paper and metals are the major recyclables exported for recycling, contributing to over 90 per cent of the total quantity of recovered waste.

The Government is also promoting local recycling, with the development of a 20-hectare EcoPark in Tuen Mun Area 38 for exclusive use by the recycling and environmental industry. All lots in Phase 1 of the EcoPark have been let to waste recyclers. Tenders for leasing the remaining lots in Phase 2 will commence in 2011.

To encourage waste reduction, recovery and recycling, the Government launched a territory-wide Source Separation of Domestic Waste Programme in January 2005. The programme was extended to the commercial and industrial sector in October 2007. As at the end of 2010, the programme covered more than 80 per cent of the population.

In line with the polluter-pays principle, the Government aims to create economic incentives for waste reduction, recovery and recycling by introducing producer responsibility schemes (PRS). An environmental levy scheme on plastic shopping bags. was implemented in July 2009 as the first mandatory PRS under the Product Eco- responsibility Ordinance. Having completed a public consultation, the second scheme targeting waste electrical and electronic equipment is being developed.

Meanwhile, the EPD continues to promote and support trade-funded voluntary recycling programmes. In addition, it is examining possible charging options for Hong Kong in respect of municipal solid waste.

Landfills

All municipal solid waste is disposed of at three large modern landfills in the New Territories, which are operated to high environmental standards.

The community disposed of 3.33 million tonnes of municipal solid waste in 2010. Of this, about 67 per cent was domestic waste and the remainder was commercial and industrial waste. On average, each person in Hong Kong disposed of about 1.29 kilogrammes of municipal solid waste daily.

It is estimated that the three landfills would be filled to capacity during mid- to late-2010s. Planning work for the extension of all three landfills is under way.

Hong Kong has 13 old landfills, which have been restored for safety and environmental reasons. Recreational facilities have been or will be built on most of the restored sites.

Refuse Transfer Stations

Municipal solid waste is collected and delivered to refuse transfer stations by refuse collection vehicles, containerised and then taken to landfills by sea or land transport. A network of six transfer stations and seven outlying islands transfer facilities handled 1.79 million tonnes of waste in 2010. About 80 per cent of Hong Kong's domestic waste is delivered via this network to landfills.