ENG-2015 — Page 297

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The Environment

participation through district-based education, promotion and waste reduction and recycling activities.

International experience reveals quantity-based charging of municipal solid waste is an effective means of providing economic incentives in reducing waste. Based on recommendations made. by the Council for Sustainable Development after an extensive public engagement exercise, the EPD proposed a framework in February 2015 on how to implement the charging scheme. The bureau will continue to co-ordinate the preparation work through an inter-departmental working group and support extensive community involvement projects with funding from the Environment and Conservation Fund.

In line with the polluter-pays principle, the government aims to expedite the introduction of Producer Responsibility Schemes to encourage recovery, recycling and waste reduction at source. The charging of plastic shopping bags in the entire retail sector was fully implemented on 1 April 2015. In March and July 2015, the government introduced to the LegCo legislative proposals respectively for two schemes on waste electrical and electronic equipment and glass beverage containers. LegCo funding approval to develop a treatment and recycling facility for electrical and electronic waste was obtained in February 2015 and construction is expected to be completed in 2017. The department also continues to support the expansion of a collection. network for glass containers and is achieving results.

Efforts are continuing to set up a Community Green Station in each of the 18 districts, whereby the department appoints a non-profit-making organisation via open tender to operate and provide funding for each station. The first two stations started operation in Sha Tin and Eastern District in May and August 2015 respectively. The stations in Kwun Tong, Yuen Long and Sham Shui Po are expected to be commissioned in phases from the second half of 2016.

Food Wise Hong Kong Campaign

The government's Food Wise Hong Kong Campaign, rolled out in 2013, seeks to drive. behavioural change and encourage the community, from individuals to households to commercial and industrial operators, to avoid and reduce food waste at source.

The campaign received an Excellence Award at the HKMA/TVB Awards for Marketing Excellence 2014 in recognition of its success in taking root in the community and promoting a 'food wise' culture. It is the first government promotional campaign to receive such an award.

Surplus Food Donation

The government has increased support to non-governmental organisations in collecting edible surplus or 'close-to-expiry' food from supermarkets, wet markets, restaurants, clubs and hotels for donation to the needy. NGOs can apply for funding from the Environment and Conservation Fund for projects to reduce food waste.

Waste Recycling

The department actively supports the recycling trade and has stepped up publicity efforts to educate the public to reduce waste at source, separate waste properly to prevent

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