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Following is a question by the Hon Chan Hak-kan and a reply by the Secretary for the Environment, Mr Wong Kam-sing, in the Legislative Council today (November 20):
Question:
It has been reported that as the mainland authorities have launched the "Operation Green Fence" since February this year to tighten up the inspection and testing standards for imported waste, a large quantity of waste has now been stranded in Hong Kong awaiting disposal. Moreover, some green groups have pointed out that on the one hand some eco-business enterprises cannot recover sufficient raw materials from waste (e.g. waste glass) in the territory, on the other hand some recycling companies commissioned by the Government have been found sending the plastic waste collected through the three-colour recycling bins directly to the landfills for disposal. In order to step up concerted efforts in reducing waste at source and promoting the development of the recycling industry, the Government established in August this year the Steering Committee to Promote the Sustainable Development of the Recycling Industry (the Steering Committee) chaired by the Chief Secretary for Administration. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(a) whether it has assessed the quantities of waste plastic and "foreign waste" currently stranded in Hong Kong as a result of the Operation Green Fence; if it has, of the quantities; whether the Government will help the recycling companies handle such stranded waste; if it will, of the details; if not, the reasons for that;
(b) of the number of meetings the Steering Committee has held so far, the matters discussed at those meetings, as well as the progress and achievement of the related follow-up actions; the mode of operation of the "Recycling Fund" to be established and how the Fund will help promote waste recovery in the community; and
(c) as some eco-business enterprises have expressed that they have difficulties in operating their businesses, whether the Government has consulted them comprehensively to understand what support such companies need; if it has, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; whether it will offer assistance in areas such as land supply, technology, funding and government procurement policies to eco-business enterprises in order to provide comprehensive support for the development of local eco-business enterprises; if it will, of the details of the support measures; if not, the reasons for that?
Reply:
President,
My reply to parts (a) to (c) of the question is as follows:
Plastic recyclables exported from Hong Kong into the Mainland can broadly be classified into two categories, namely, (i) recyclable plastics bought from overseas and imported into the Mainland, and (ii) recyclable plastics collected locally in Hong Kong. Good quality recyclable plastics, being commodities with commercial value, are actively traded in the international market. They can be recycled or reused as raw materials for production, thus conducive to the circular economy, waste reduction and sustainability development.
Local traders are very active in the import and export of recyclable plastics. There has been a large volume of recyclable plastics imported into the Mainland or other places through Hong Kong. As containers of these recyclables stop only briefly in Hong Kong before re-export to the Mainland, they will not cause local storage problems or turn into waste requiring local disposal. In fact, the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) inspected more than 1,800 containers of different types of recyclables imported into or transhipped through Hong Kong in the past three years but no contaminated recyclable plastics were spotted.
The Mainland's law enforcement agencies have launched Operation Green Fence (OGF) since February 2013, which involves strengthening the interception of illegal waste shipments with pollution risk and inspections of imported recyclables at all ports across the country, and strictly enforcing the relevant national standards. However, all recyclables meeting the national standards are not affected and can be imported into the Mainland as usual.
With the launch of OGF, the export of local recyclables and transhipment of recyclables from overseas through Hong Kong to the Mainland have slowed down since early this year, and the overall shipment volume of recyclables has reduced. It is understood that local recyclers have already scaled down the importation of recyclables into Hong Kong. Some recyclers have introduced measures to raise their waste treatment capability (e.g. installing shredding machines and washing facilities) and explored in parallel alternative outlets for the recyclables. Re-export of recyclables has recently become more stable and smooth. Between March and August 2013, recyclable plastics imported and re-exported to other places after a brief stop in Hong Kong averaged about 200,000 tonnes per month. In the joint operation of the EPD and Hong Kong Customs and Excise Department (C&ED) over the past few months, container checks on imported recyclables were strengthened. No import of contaminated plastic waste or rubbish was spotted.
The Mainland authorities have, under OGF, notified EPD and C&ED of 226 rejected containers up to mid-November 2013. These containers carry recyclable materials including metal scrap, plastic scrap, waste paper, etc. With the assistance of the C&ED, the EPD is following up on the handling of these containers. Among the returned containers, 217 (96 per cent) have been shipped out of Hong Kong and arrangements are being made for the departure of the remaining 9 (4 per cent). Recyclable plastics, a recyclable which is especially concerned by the public, account for 121 of the 226 returned containers; among them, 114 (94 per cent) have left Hong Kong whilst the remaining 7 (6 per cent) are pending arrangements to be shipped out. The laws of Hong Kong prohibit the disposal of imported waste in Hong Kong. Any recyclable plastics imported but cannot be recycled or reused in Hong Kong must be re-exported for treatment elsewhere, which is the importer's obligation. The EPD has stringent monitoring measures in place in the operation of the landfills to ensure no disposal of imported waste.
The second category of recyclable plastics, i.e. those collected locally, are of varying quality and some of them require longer processing time to achieve the relevant standards set by importing countries. The recycling trade is modifying their existing operations and finding different means of handling the recyclables. The EPD has maintained close liaison with the trade, and will strive to coordinate and divert plastics which recyclers are unable to collect to alternative outlets to avoid disposal. At the same time, we have also stepped up publicity efforts to educate the public to reduce waste at source, separate waste properly to prevent contamination of recyclables, improve the quality of recyclables collected and lessen the burden of subsequent treatment. At the same time, to achieve further reductions in the local waste disposal rate as set out in the "Hong Kong Blueprint for Sustainable Use of Resources 2013-2022", the Government is actively studying measures to support the recycling trade so that various types of recyclables can be processed more effectively.
The Steering Committee to Promote the Sustainable Development of the Recycling Industry, which is led by the Chief Secretary for Administration, was set up in August this year to step up concerted efforts in promoting the healthy development of the recycling industry. The work of the Steering Committee includes reviewing the current situation of local recyclables' collection and disposal, and relevant policies and support measures; studying viable measures to support the recycling industry, which covers exploring the feasibility of setting up a "Recycling Fund" and its possible mode of operation; and enhancing the community recycling network. In addition, the Steering Committee will explore means to foster community support in recycling through public education and community involvement projects, and to promote research on relevant technologies as well as training and development of the workforce.
Support measures now being implemented include (1) the "Source Separation of Waste Programme", which increases the supply of recyclable materials by encouraging the public to separate waste at source; (2) providing suitable sites on government land on short-term lease for exclusive bidding by recyclers; (3) building the EcoPark to help the long-term development of recycling trade through the provision of land at a reasonable cost; (4) taking the lead in the implementation and promotion of green procurement to increase demand for recycled and green products; (5) launching "Producer Responsibility Schemes" to fund the collection and treatment of designated products by charging a levy on those products; (6) encouraging the development of recycling technologies and acquisition of waste recycling facilities through the Innovation and Technology Fund and the Environment and Conservation Fund; and (7) planning to allocate suitable berths in the Public Cargo Working Areas for the exclusive use of the recycling industry to ensure the provision of stable export facilities. On the above basis, the government will continue to enhance relevant strategies, measures and facilities in order to promote the sustainable development of the recycling industry.
After its first meeting in August, the Steering Committee has held two large and small scale meetings with the recycling sector and stakeholders in October and November, to listen to views from the trade, green groups, non-government organisations, community groups, academics, and representatives from councils and committees on ways to promote the sustainable development of Hong Kong's recycling industry and support recycling operations. In the months ahead, the government will liaise with the trade and relevant stakeholders to study in depth the structure of recycling operations for different types of recyclables and formulate tailored support programmes and measures for each recyclable type. Suggestions relating to the establishment of a "Recycling Fund" will be examined in that context.
Thank you, President.
Ends/Wednesday, November 20, 2013
Issued at HKT 20:06
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