ENG-2014 — Page 301

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The Environment

Chemical and Special Waste

All chemical waste producers are required to pack, label and store their chemical waste correctly before disposal at licensed treatment facilities. A trip ticket system tracks the movement of chemical waste from its origin to the final disposal point. In 2014, a daily average of 24 tonnes of chemical waste, including MARPOL Annexes I and II waste from ocean-going vessels, were treated at the Chemical Waste Treatment Centre on Tsing Yi Island, which is operated by a government contractor. Waste producers using its services are required to pay part of the treatment cost.

The Low-level Radioactive Waste Storage Facility at Siu A Chau is purpose-built to meet stringent international standards for the safe storage of low-level radioactive waste and most of such waste generated in Hong Kong has been transferred to the facility for long-term storage.

Construction Waste

The construction industry generated 25.4 million tonnes of construction waste in 2014. Of that, about 94 per cent was inert and suitable for re-use. To maximise the recovery and re-use of inert materials and minimise their disposal at landfills, a construction waste charging scheme provides an economic incentive for reducing construction waste. The government continues to deliver inert materials to the Mainland for re-use in reclamation projects there.

Marine Refuse

Clearing marine refuse, including refuse that has been washed ashore, involves several government departments: the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department; the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department; the Leisure and Cultural Services Department; and the Marine Department. Some of the work is outsourced to service providers. The Marine Department deploys a fleet of about 70 contractors' vessels to collect floating refuse and refuse from vessels. Nearly 15,238 tonnes of waste from marine waters and coastal areas of Hong Kong and 4,352 tonnes of refuse from vessels were collected in 2014. In addition to law enforcement, the government also uses publicity and education to tackle the marine refuse problem.

In November 2012, the government set up an inter-departmental working group on Clean Shorelines to identify the sources of marine refuse, review the existing measures, formulate strategic policies to prevent and reduce marine refuse, and promote public awareness of the need to keep Hong Kong's shorelines clean. The EPD continued the Marine Refuse Study to investigate the sources, fates, distribution and movement of marine refuse in Hong Kong waters to help the working group's deliberations. The working group's Clean Shorelines Day in July, with the theme of 'Protect our coast Leave no trace, emphasised the importance of reducing marine refuse and keeping the shorelines clean.

Livestock Waste

The Waste Disposal Ordinance bans the keeping of livestock in new towns and environmentally sensitive areas. Where they are allowed, livestock farms must have proper waste treatment systems. The government provides a free livestock waste collection service which collected about 20,829 tonnes of waste in 2014.

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