ENG-2017 — Page 309

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The Environment

Construction Waste

An annual average of 23.7 million tonnes of overall construction waste was generated in Hong Kong from 2012 to 2016. The reuse rate was 93 per cent in 2016, having remained at above 90 per cent in recent years.

A disposal charging scheme provides economic incentives to reduce construction waste, encourage the recovery and reuse of inert materials, and reduce their disposal at landfills. The charges were adjusted in April to maintain their effectiveness in encouraging less waste. disposal.

Marine Refuse

Clearing marine refuse, including refuse that is washed ashore, involves a number of government departments, including the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department; Food and Environmental Hygiene Department; Leisure and Cultural Services Department; and Marine Department. Some of the work is outsourced to service providers. The Marine Department deploys a fleet of contractors' vessels that was expanded to 80 from about 70 in October 2017. The fleet comprises various types of vessels to scavenge floating refuse and collect domestic refuse from vessels in the anchorages and typhoon shelters. It collected nearly 11,600 tonnes of marine refuse from the waters and coastal areas of Hong Kong and 4,400 tonnes of domestic refuse from vessels in 2017.

Member departments of the Inter-departmental Working Group on Clean Shorelines implement improvement measures to keep the shorelines clean, and promote the importance of reducing marine refuse under the theme, 'Protect our coast, leave no trace: The EPD also co- organises monthly Shorelines Cleanup Days with community groups.

The Hong Kong-Guangdong Marine Environmental Management Special Panel developed a notification and alert mechanism in 2017 to enhance mutual responsiveness to the marine refuse issue in the region.

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 23,612 tonnes of waste in 2017.

Sewage Treatment and Disposal

The government will spend $18.4 billion on public sewerage infrastructure projects over the next five years, covering sewerage for rural villages.

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