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2014/01/28
HKGCC Supports Waste Charging and Enhancing Recycling Industry

The Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce supports the Government’s initiative to reduce waste through the introduction of a charging scheme. It also urges the Government to provide more support to the recycling industry to process the expected increases in waste to be recycled.

In its recent submission to the Council for Sustainable Development, the Chamber reiterated that it has long been a supporter of the polluter-pays principle. “We believe that there has been emphatic discussion in relation to solid waste management in the community, and the Government should start steps to implement a waste charging system in Hong Kong,” said Chamber Chairman C K Chow.

The Chamber believes that the objective of waste charging – to reduce waste by discouraging wasteful habits and promoting the recycling industry -- should be clearly spelled out to get everyone onboard.

Most businesses in Hong Kong operate in high-rise commercial buildings, which employ private contractors to collect waste. Therefore, the Chamber believes it would be feasible that these private waste collectors charge producers based on a quantity-based system. The collection companies would then pay fees collectively for waste transported to landfills or refuse transfer stations.

However, it is also important to offer waste producers an option to recycle their waste. Moreover, the charging system should not be applied generically to all waste. Putrescible waste, mainly organic and food waste, for example, requires a targeted approach, and the Chamber recommends that the Government engages building owners and property management companies to develop a flexible and easy way to administer waste collection mechanisms.

“Businesses need a clear picture of the charging schemes and options so that they can plan accordingly,” said Chamber CEO Shirley Yuen. “In addition, the Government has the responsibility to develop a concrete plan for providing infrastructure and specific facilities in various districts to facilitate recycling efforts.”

Around 13,400 tonnes of refuse, 67% of which is municipal solid waste generated by businesses and households, is dumped in our three nearly saturated landfills daily. Without any other large-scale waste disposal option, this is obviously unsustainable. The only option that appears to be supported by the majority of the community is reducing waste at source by imposing a charging system.

According to the HKGCC Annual Business Survey conducted in November 2013, 74.9% of members supported subsidizing the recycling industry. The Chamber therefore welcomed the $1 billion Recycling Fund earmarked in the recent Policy Address, and called for more details, particularly on finding market solutions for recycled products, to raise the effectiveness and sustainability of the recycling industry.

The Chamber’s submission, “Public Engagement Exercise on Municipal Solid Waste Charging,”can be downloaded from our website.

Media inquiries: Please contact Jane Mok at 2823 1277/[email protected]

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