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The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) will introduce in batches newly designed litter containers starting next Monday (June 13). The new designs include smaller openings for disposing of litter and bigger warning notices affixed to the containers, so as to educate the public not to discard refuse at the side or on top of litter containers and to dispose of bagged refuse properly at refuse collection points.
An FEHD spokesman said today (June 6), "The two types of litter containers currently placed on streets by the department are 70 litres and 130 litres in capacity. The new litter containers to be introduced next week will have a capacity of 130 litres. Their openings are reduced from 370 millimetres x 190mm to 230mm x 150mm. The department will also introduce later this year 70-litre litter containers with smaller openings which are reduced from 290mm x 190mm to 205mm x 130mm.
"In addition, the existing litter containers in public places are affixed with warning notices reminding the public not to deposit refuse at the side or on top of litter containers or else they will be prosecuted. The warning messages affixed to the new litter containers will be more prominent and clearer to enhance the publicity, education and warning impacts."
He added, "Besides the two sizes of litter containers currently in use, the FEHD will later introduce new 100-litre litter containers with openings of 230mm x 150mm for trial use in various districts."
At present, the FEHD, taking into consideration the street situation including the pedestrian flow, widths of pavements and other environmental factors, places litter containers at suitable locations for the public to discard small refuse. These locations cover major pavement junctions, public transport interchanges, bus stops and ferry piers.
The spokesman said, "In 2015/16, the FEHD reviewed the distribution of litter containers on the streets and reduced the number of litter containers in various districts by about 15 per cent. The hygiene conditions on streets have generally been maintained at a satisfactory level after the reduction. The department is considering further reducing the number of litter containers placed on streets in various districts later this year."
The spokesman reminded members of the public that according to section 4 of the Public Cleansing and Prevention of Nuisances Regulation (Cap 132BK), it is an offence to deposit waste in public places, including placing waste outside the refuse collection points of the FEHD, and at the side or on top of litter containers. Offenders are liable to a maximum fine of $25,000 and imprisonment for six months upon conviction. The FEHD may also issue a Fixed Penalty Notice of $1,500 to offenders under the Fixed Penalty (Public Cleanliness Offences) Ordinance (Cap 570 section 3).
The spokesman stressed that keeping the environment clean and hygienic hinges on the active participation and sustained efforts of all parties in the community. He reminded members of the public of the importance of civic mindedness and urged them to fulfil their civic responsibility in keeping Hong Kong clean so as to build a hygienic and comfortable living environment for all.
Ends/Monday, June 6, 2016
Issued at HKT 15:14
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