Waste Reduction and Recovery Factsheet No.1 Figure 1 Quantities of Major Types of Recyclable Waste Recovered in Hong Kong Quantities Recovered (in 000 tonnes) 1. Recovery and Recycling of Municipal Solid Waste in Hong Kong Local Recycling Export 0 4 1573 1.1 Situation in 2010 Domestic, commercial and industrial wastes are collectively referred to as municipal solid waste (MSW) in Hong Kong. About 3.33 million tonnes and 3.60 million tonnes of MSW were disposed of and recovered in Hong Kong in 2010 respectively. In 2010, the overall recovery rate in Hong Kong is 52%. The recovered wastes were mostly exported to the Mainland and other countries for recycling (3.57 million tonnes). 1195 0 566 4 151 24 87 The major types of recyclable wastes recovered included paper, plastics, ferrous metal and non-ferrous metal, which accounted for about 97% of the waste recovered. The remaining 3% include electrical & electronic equipment, wood, textile, rubber tyres and glass. Figure 1 illustrates the overall quantities of wastes recovered in 2010. Paper Ferrous Metals Non Ferrous Metals Plastics Others Composition of Municipal Solid Waste Recovered (by weight) Paper (33%) 1.2 Government Policy in Waste Management Although we are recovering 52% of our waste for recycling, our landfills will be exhausted one by one during the period from mid to late 2010s. There is a pressing need to further reduce the generation of waste and the amount of waste we send to the landfills. It is the Government's policy to promote waste avoidance, minimisation, recovery for reuse and recycling. To tackle our waste problem, the Government published A Policy Framework for the Management of Municipal Solid Waste (2005-2014) in December 2005. This Policy Framework sets out a comprehensive strategy consisting of a series of policy tools and measures to tackle our waste problem head on with a view to achieving the following targets Ferrous Metals (16%) Others (3%) Non-ferrous Metals (4%) Plastics (44%) 1. To reduce the amount of municipal solid waste (MSW) generated in Hong Kong by 1% per annum up to the year 2014. 2. To increase the overall recovery rate of MSW to 45% by 2009 and 50% by 2014. 3. To reduce the total MSW disposed of in landfills to less than 25% by 2014.
Figure 2 Main Collection and Disposal Routes of Municipal Solid Waste in Hong Kong Domestic Waste Private Waste Collectors Cleansing Workers Public/Private Refuse Collection Points Private Waste Collectors Refuse Transfer Stations Commercial & Industrial Waste Waste Cleansing Producers Workers Private Refuse Collection Points Food and Environmental Hygiene Department & their Contractors Private Waste Collectors Environmental Protection Department & their Contractors Landfills Normal collection and disposal route Other collection and disposal route 1.3 Waste Collection and Disposal The waste collection arrangement in Hong Kong is complex. Figure 2 illustrates the main collection and disposal routes of MSW. In general, the domestic waste produced at households is collected by cleansing workers and taken to public/private refuse collection points. The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department then transfers the waste collected from domestic sector and street level to refuse transfer stations for final disposal at landfills. The waste produced by commercial and industrial sectors is handled primarily by private waste collectors. The exact collection routes depend on the waste arising locations and the provision of local waste collectors. Alternative routes are not uncommon. For instance, people living in rural areas may bring their domestic waste to nearby public refuse collection points directly without the involvement of private waste collectors. 1.4 Waste Recovery Waste materials are recovered at different points along the waste collection and disposal routes. The materials recovered usually bear good market values. They include paper, cardboard, plastics and aluminium metal cans. According to the data collected by the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) in early 2011, there are around 340 active waste collectors in Hong Kong, while about 45 of them are also involved in waste recycling and reprocessing operations. The majority of these waste collectors collect more than one kind of recyclables, whereas the recyclers and reprocessors usually handle only one kind of recyclables in their workshops. The key recovery activities are: a) waste generators (mainly industrial waste generators) separate recyclables from their waste as it is economic to do so by selling the recovered materials directly to waste dealers; b) scavengers, including the workers of waste collection services, separate valuable materials from the mixed waste and sell the recovered materials to waste collectors for further processing; c) organizations such as schools, housing estates, government departments and community bodies implement their own waste recovery schemes or participate in the Source Separation of Waste Programme organized by EPD and sell or give the recovered materials to waste collectors or other waste dealers.
Figure 3 The Key Players of Local Waste Recovery Waste Generators Mainly industrial waste The key players in waste recovery and the related recovery routes are illustrated in Figure 3. 1.5 Major Constraints on Waste Recovery/Recycling There are a number of constraints which limit the extent of waste recovery and recycling activities in Hong Kong. These include: Voluntary Waste Recovery Programmes Scavengers (including workers of cleansing companies) Recyclable Material Collectors Recyclable Material Exporters/Recyclers Normal recovery route Other recovery route a) Although the environmental awareness of the general public has increased significantly in recent years, their willingness to actively participate in waste reduction still needs to be enhanced. b) The promotion of waste avoidance purely on environmental grounds might not be sufficient. Waste charging is a key policy tool in waste avoidance and minimization. By putting a price on generating waste, we can induce change in people s waste habits and behaviour. c) To facilitate the collection and recovery of recyclable materials that have marginal recycling values, the adoption of producer responsibility schemes will enhance their recovery and help sustain the local recycling industry. d) The built environment inhibits recycling activities from the domestic waste stream. Small flat sizes and communal utility areas restrict source separation and storage practices. e) Low values, high transportation cost or lack of market demand for recovered materials particularly for glass, wood, tyres and organic materials. f) The predominance of small and medium recovery and recycling enterprises discourages investments in waste recovery technologies. g) High land premium and labour cost affect the economic viability of setting up local recycling facilities.
Common Recyclable Materials Waste Paper 1. Recovery and Recycling of Municipal 1.6 Government Initiatives in Waste Reduction and Recycling The EPD is working closely with various sectors including housing and property management, education, non-governmental organizations, as well as the construction industry, the waste recycling industry and the Government to implement sector-specific waste reduction and recycling measures. Aluminium Cans Metal Containers Waste Separation Bins To facilitate public participation in waste separation and recovery, the Government has placed waste separation bins to collect waste paper, aluminium cans and plastic bottles throughout the territory since 1998. Starting from May 2006 onwards, the waste separation bins in public places can also be used for putting all kinds of waste plastics and metals. By the end of 2011, over 44 000 waste separation bins are placed by the roadside, in parks, leisure and cultural facilities, government buildings, hospitals, clinics, public and private housing estates, schools and refuse collection points. Land Allocation Policy The Government encourages materials re-use, recovery and recycling to help achieve waste reduction. Allocating suitable land solely for recycling purpose at affordable rent is a major measure for supporting the waste recycling industry. As the profit of waste recovery and recycling is often marginal, leasing land through open tendering exclusively to waste recyclers could lower their operation cost and help to promote the local recycling activities in Hong Kong. Plastic Bottles Other Waste Plastics At the end of 2010, a total of 33 sites (about 6 hectares) have been allocated to waste recyclers under short term tenancy. These sites are located in different parts of the territory and are being used for recycling and processing a wide range of waste materials including paper, glass, plastics, metals, wood and tyres. More sites are being identified and will be put out for open tender from time to time. In addition, a 20 hectare EcoPark is being developed in Tuen Mun Area 38 to provide long term and affordable land to the waste recycling industry. All the six Phase I lots have been awarded for recycling of waste cooking oil, waste metals, waste wood, waste computer equipment, waste plastics and waste batteries. The first batch of five lots in Phase 2 was also awarded in August 2011 for the recycling of waste metals, waste batteries, waste construction materials / waste glass, waste electrical and electronic equipment, and waste rubber tyres. Besides, tender invitation for lease of another Phase 2 lot will be commenced in 2012. The whole EcoPark could provide a total of 14 hectares of rentable land for recycling and environmental industries.
Refuse Storage and Material Recovery Room Facilitates Waste Separation and Recovery in Buildings Amendment of Building Regulations Amendment of the Building (Refuse Storage and Material Recovery Chambers and Refuse Chutes) Regulations (Chapter 123H) was made in the 2007-08 legislative session. Commencing from 1 December 2008, all new domestic buildings and the domestic part of new composite buildings are required to provide a refuse storage and material recovery room on every building floor to facilitate residents to participate in waste recovery. Programme on Source Separation of Domestic Waste EPD has launched a territory-wide Programme on Source Separation of Domestic Waste since January 2005 and we are calling on the public to actively participate in the programme. The main objectives of the programme are (a) to make it more convenient for residents to separate waste at source by encouraging and assisting property management companies to provide waste separation facilities on each building floor; and (b) to broaden the types of recyclables to be recovered to waste paper, plastics, metals, electrical and electronic equipment, and used clothing etc. Waste Recycling Programme in Housing Estate As at end of 2011, more than 1 790 housing estates/residential buildings participating in the Programme. The total population in Hong Kong now covered by the Programme has exceeded 80%. For details of the programme, please refer to: https://www.wastereduction.gov.hk/en/household/source_intro.htm Programme on Source Separation of Commercial and Industrial Waste In 2007, EPD launched the Programme on Source Separation of Commercial and Industrial Waste which aims to encourage the property management sector of the commercial & industrial (C&I) buildings to undertake initiatives to set up and implement effective mechanism to separate and recover waste within the C&I premises and commend the C&I buildings which have implemented source separation of waste within their premises. This will facilitate the tenants/occupants to practise waste separation and recycling in workplaces and increase the quantities of C&I waste being recycled. Up to end 2011, 732 buildings have signed up the programme.
Waste Separation Bins given out by the ECC Community recycling centres receive recyclables from neighbouring residents 1. Recovery and Recycling of Municipal Promotion Programme on Source Separation of Waste To encourage public participation in waste separation and recycling, the Environmental Campaign Committee (ECC) and the EPD have jointly organized a territory-wide campaign, titled Promotion Programme on Source Separation of Waste (the Programme), by distributing newly designed waste separation bins to residential, commercial and industrial buildings on a free-of-charge basis. Through the provision of new waste separation bins, not only can the waste separation facilities be improved but also the variety of recyclables can be expanded. Besides, property management companies are encouraged to implement waste separation in the premises, so as to increase the recycling rate in long-run. The response of the Programme has been promising. Since its launching in the end of 2008, nearly 5 000 sets of the newly designed waste separation bins had been distributed to the participants. For details of the programme, please visit: http://www.ecc.org.hk. Community Recycling Network With the goal to achieve the waste recovery target of 55% by 2015, EPD has established the Community Recycling Network (CRN) to promote waste reduction and recovery and collect recyclables of low commercial value, including plastics, glass bottles and small Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE). Through face-to-face promotion and the provision of a territory-wide district-based recyclables collection network, the CRN encourages public participation in recycling. Promotion vehicles travel around Hong Kong to set up community recycling promotion booths The CRN comprises (1) community recycling centres funded by the Environmental Conservation Fund (ECF) in various districts. There are practical difficulties in installing waste separation facilities in some buildings. The community recycling centres facilitate the residents of these buildings to practice waste separation and recovery; (2) collection points at public service centres of non-governmental organisations; (3) promotion booths set up regularly at busy locations, including parks, walkways, shopping malls and markets, to promote waste reduction and collect recyclables; (4) promotion vehicles that travel around Hong Kong to enhance promotion in housing estates and to provide an alternative outlet for the low-valued recyclables; (5) the school waste reduction and recycling education and awareness campaign that is targeted to enhance students knowledge of plastics recycling with a view to developing a recycling habit among them; and (6) a material transfer centre in Kowloon Bay that provides free bulk transfer of recyclables collected through the above-mentioned collection outlets to the EcoPark in Tuen Mun and other recyclers for further processing. For details of the CRN, please visit the Hong Kong Waste Reduction Website at: https://www.wastereduction.gov.hk/en/index.htm
Local District Waste Reduction Activity Organized by DC Area Subcommittee Cooperation with District Councils EPD continues to work closely with District Councils (DC) to enhance public awareness and participation in waste reduction at the district level. In 2011, EPD visited each of the 18 DCs to brief about the strengthened waste management strategy, and in particular the new action plan on promotion of source separation of waste and recycling. As in previous years, EPD has worked jointly with Areas Sub-committees of Yau Tsim Mong, Sham Shui Po and Wong Tai Sin District Councils in organizing local waste recovery promotional and other environmental protection activities. Besides, EPD has continued to provide technical support to local non-government organizations to organize waste reduction and environmental protection activities. Floor-mode Waste Separation Facilities with ECF's Funding Support Environment and Conservation Fund In order to enhance awareness and ensure sustained participation of the public in waste prevention and recovery, the ECF has supported non-profit making organizations such as green groups and community groups, etc. to organize community waste recovery projects. Since 2001, 69 organizations have been granted with the ECF to organize 116 community waste recovery projects. To encourage more housing estates/residential buildings to participate in the Programme on Source Separation of Domestic Waste, the ECF is now open for resident organizations and property management companies to apply for funding support to implement the Programme. A total sum of $10 million has been earmarked by the ECF Committee to support the Programme. Up to end 2011, 112 housing estates have been successfully granted funding support to implement the Programme on Source Separation of Domestic Waste. The ECF Committee also endorsed in 2008 the extension of the Programme to cover commercial and industrial buildings. In addition, a new funding scheme to provide support to housing estates for collecting and treating food waste at source, and organising educational activities on food waste reduction was launched in July 2011. The ECF Committee has earmarked a total sum of $50 million for the scheme. The scheme will be implemented in phases and funding for the first batch of 11 housing estates was approved in November 2011. HKAEE Wastewi$e Label Hong Kong Awards for Environmental Excellence Established in 2008, the Hong Kong Awards for Environmental Excellence (HKAEE) is jointly organized by the EPD, the ECC and nine joint organizers to promote environmental protection amongst public and private organizations. Wastewi$e Label (formerly known as Wastewi$e logo ) is one of the four Environmental Labels under the HKAEE. Free consultancy services will be provided for organizations to set waste reduction targets. Wastewi$e Labels will be awarded to organizations which have attained the prescribed goals to recognize their efforts in reducing waste. Up to end September 2011, over 1 700 organizations have applied for and 1 119 have been granted the Wastewi$e Labels.
Rechargeable Battery Recycling Programme Computer Recycling Programme Fluorescent Lamp Recycling Programme Producer Responsibility Scheme Producer responsibility scheme (PRS) is one of the major policy tools in municipal solid waste management. Under PRS, different stakeholders involved in the generation of waste, who can be manufacturers, importers, brand agents, distributors, retailers and consumers, shall share the financial and/or physical responsibility for the collection, recycling, treatment and disposal of end-of-life products, with a view to avoiding and reducing the environmental impact caused by such wastes. In April 2002, a mobile phone battery recovery and recycling programme under a voluntary producer responsibility scheme was launched. Learning from the experience, the programme was extended in April 2005 to include the recovery of all types of portable rechargeable batteries. The Rechargeable Battery Recycling Programme is organized and funded by 40 producers and importers of rechargeable battery and electronic equipment. Under this programme, 590 conveniently located collection points are set up in the shops and stations of participating companies. To provide additional convenience to the public, secondary collection points are also set up at housing estates, commercial/industrial buildings and schools. Up to end 2011, about 278 tonnes of rechargeable batteries (equivalent to 2 300 000 pieces) have been collected and shipped to overseas treatment facilities for recycling. In January 2008, the second voluntary PRS programme Computer Recycling Programme was launched. It was funded and organized by 19 local and international computer equipment suppliers. Under this programme, 16 public collection points have been set up. In addition, 894 housing estates and commercial/industrial buildings have signed up to join the programme. Up to end 2011, about 71 000 pieces of major computer equipment have been collected. Better quality computers collected under the programme are donated to the needy through a charitable organisation. Others have been dismantled and recycled. In March 2008, the third voluntary PRS programme Fluorescent Lamp Recycling Programme was launched. It was funded and organized by 15 suppliers of fluorescent lamps. Under this programme, 157 public collection points have been provided at the retail outlets of participating companies, designated shopping malls and houseware stores. In addition, 991 housing estates have signed up to join the programme. Up to end 2011, about 1 260 000 lamps have been collected and delivered to a mercury lamp treatment facility set up at the Chemical Waste Treatment Centre. The Legislative Council enacted the Product Eco-responsibility Ordinance in July 2008 to provide a legal framework for implementation of producer responsibility schemes in Hong Kong. The environmental levy on plastic shopping bags is the first scheme introduced under the Ordinance.
Plastic Shopping Bags Levy Scheme 1. Recovery and Recycling of Municipal Waste electrical and electronic equipment is the next target for implementation of the mandatory scheme. The public were consulted in the period from January to April of 2010. It revealed that stakeholders and the public generally supported the introduction a mandatory PRS by legislation for the proper management of WEEE. We will continue to engage the relevant trades to discuss the operational details of the scheme with a view to commencing legislative drafting work as soon as possible. At the same time, we also plan to take the lead to invest in the development of a local treatment facility required under the scheme to treat locally generated WEEE Used Computers are Being Repaired and Tested Mobile Collection Service for Used Electrical and Electronic Products Recovery Programme for Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Apart from the collection service provided under the voluntary producer schemes, EPD has also engaged St. James Settlement and Caritas Hong Kong to organize this territory-wide trial recovery programmes since January 2003 to recover waste electrical appliances and computers respectively. In October 2010, St James was granted funding support from the Environment and Conservation Fund (ECF) to implement the WEEE Go Green programme and operated the EcoPark WEEE Recycling Centre. The repaired appliances and computers are donated to the needy. If there is no suitable receiver, the repaired goods will be put on charitable sale and the proceeds will be put back to this programme. The appliances and computers that are beyond repair will be dismantled with the useable components and materials recovered for reuse and recycling. The programme is well received by the public. Over 46 900 units of waste appliances and 66 000 units of computers were collected in 2011. Mobile WEEE Collection Centre Service In March 2008, the EPD launched a mobile service for collection of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) in 18 districts, in rotation one district per week. Under the programme, a collection vehicle is parked at designated sites from 9am to 6pm on Saturdays and Sundays to facilitate local residents to recycle their used computer items, electrical appliances, fluorescent lamps and rechargeable batteries. The items collected are sorted and handled under different recycling programmes. Up to end 2011, about 16 000 electrical appliances, 8 500 items of computer equipment, 18 000 fluorescent lamps, 3 500 rechargeable batteries and 17 700 accessory items were collected through the service.
1.7 The Recycling Helpline 2838 3111 EPD has been operating a helpline service since 1991, which provides information and advice on waste reduction and recycling. The advice provided includes types of wastes amenable to recycling, lists of private waste collectors and recyclers, etc. From 1991 to 2011, the Helpline had served about 106 200 enquirers from the household, commercial and industrial sectors. The Helpline had effectively helped the public to channel their recyclable wastes to the waste collectors and recyclers. It has also played an important role of a technical adviser to various voluntary waste recovery programmes in the community.