ENG-2014 — Page 298

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The Environment

Hong Kong also produced substantial quantities of construction waste, with an annual quantity within the range of, 1.22 to 1.44 million tonnes disposed of at landfill over the past five years, an average 45 per cent drop on the 2.39 million tonnes in 2005 before the implementation of the Construction Waste Charging Scheme in 2006.

Waste Reduction

Waste reduction and recovery play an important role in waste management. The Source Separation of Waste Programme provides waste separation facilities where people live and work and covers over 80 per cent of the population.

Waste-to-Resources Plan and Food Waste & Yard Waste Plan

The government's 'Hong Kong Blueprint for Sustainable Use of Resources 2013-2022' maps out the strategy, policies and plans for waste management to tackle the waste problem through: (i) policies and legislation to drive behavioural changes to reduce waste at source; (ii) targeted territory-wide waste reduction campaigns to arouse public awareness and encourage community participation; and (iii) enhancement of waste-related infrastructure. The aim is to reduce Hong Kong's per capita MSW disposal rate to 0.8 kg or less by 2022.

In February 2014, the government unveiled 'A Food Waste & Yard Waste Plan for Hong Kong 2014-2022' mapping out a comprehensive strategy, targets, policies and action plans to manage food waste and yard waste. The government aims to reduce food waste disposal to landfills by 40 per cent by 2022 and sets out four strategies to tackle food waste: reduction at source; reuse and donation; recyclable collection; and turning food waste into energy.

To further promote waste reduction and recycling and provide outlets for recyclables of low commercial value in the community, in 2011 the government launched the Community Recycling Network and, in collaboration with the District Councils, a programme to enhance community participation through district-based education, promotion and waste recycling programmes and activities.

International experience suggests that quantity-based MSW charging is effective in reducing waste. Following public consultation, the Council for Sustainable Development (SDC) submitted its proposals for quantity-based MSW charging to the government in December 2014. In April, the government launched a pilot MSW charging scheme in seven housing estates to obtain practical experience and further views from the community. A pilot scheme for rural villages was also launched in December.

In line with the polluter-pays principle, the government aims to expedite the introduction of Producer Responsibility Schemes (PRSS) to encourage recovery, recycling and waste reduction at source. Legislation has been enacted to extend the Environmental Levy Scheme on Plastic Shopping Bags to cover all retailers with full implementation effective from 1 April 2015. The government is also proceeding with new PRSS on waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) and glass beverage bottles and has sought funding approval from the Legislative Council to develop a WEEE treatment facility and expand the collection network for glass. bottles. Meanwhile, the EPD will continue to promote and support trade-funded voluntary recycling programmes.

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