Waste statistics published for 2015
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In 2015, the average daily quantity of solid waste disposed of at landfills was 15 102 tonnes, representing an increase of 1.6 per cent as compared with the figure for 2014. This rate of increase was slower than that reported in 2014, which was 3.8 per cent. Regarding MSW, the average daily quantity of disposal at landfills was 10 159 tonnes in 2015, representing an increase of 3.9 per cent as compared with the figure for 2014. As far as the per capita MSW disposal rate per day is concerned, the 2015 figure was 1.39 kilograms, as compared to 1.35kg in 2014. The increase in the MSW disposal rate was mainly due to the relative increase in the amount of commercial and industrial waste being disposed of, which in turn was partly attributable to the relatively buoyant local economy in 2015.
Looking at the figures by waste type, food waste disposal decreased by 7.1 per cent on a year-on-year basis. The per capita disposal rate of food waste also dropped by 7.9 per cent during the same period. The drop may well be a result of efforts made by many sectors of the community in response to the various initiatives taken by the Government, in particular those under the Food Wise Hong Kong Campaign on nurturing a culture of reducing food waste at source and to donate surplus food to the needy.
Regarding special waste, the quantity being disposed of at landfills in 2015 decreased markedly by 34.5 per cent, as compared to the figure for 2014. The decrease is attributable to the commissioning of the sludge treatment facility (T·PARK) in Tuen Mun in 2015. This facility treats dewatered sewage sludge from sewage treatment plants by incineration, leaving only the residue and ash to be landfilled, hence significantly reducing the volume of such waste to be disposed of at landfills by 90 per cent.
Regarding construction waste, the quantity being disposed of at landfills stood at 64 per cent of the level before the implementation of the Construction Waste Disposal Charging Scheme in 2006. The recovery rate of inert construction materials delivered to public fill reception facilities and other outlets was 94 per cent in 2015. Looking ahead, construction waste disposal charges will be increased with effect from April 2017, and will continue to provide further incentives for the trade to reduce and reuse construction waste.
Hong Kong relies heavily on services industries, and hence it has very limited capacity to utilise raw or recycled materials in local production. The condition of the international market for recyclables has for many years heavily dictated the value of and outlets for local recyclables. The challenging condition of the international market for recyclables in the past few years has had a dampening effect on demand for, and thus prices of, local recyclables. Compared to 2014, the total quantity of recovered MSW was 20 000 tonnes lower. The MSW recovery rate was 35 per cent in 2015, while that in 2014 was 37 per cent. By major types of recyclables, the recovery of waste paper and waste plastics dropped by 52 000 and 5 000 tonnes respectively, owing to the weak demand for these recyclables. Nevertheless, the recovery of waste metals increased by 27 000 tonnes as they remained relatively valuable in international markets.
An EPD spokesman said that the Government attaches great importance to waste management work, and will continue its efforts in implementing step by step the waste reduction and recycling policies and actions under "Hong Kong: Blueprint for Sustainable Use of Resources 2013-2022" and "A Food Waste & Yard Waste Plan for Hong Kong 2014-2022". The EPD will continue to vigorously implement policies on waste avoidance and reduction, including MSW charging and producer responsibility schemes for e-waste and glass beverage containers, developing and commissioning recovery infrastructure including the waste electrical and electronic equipment treatment plant and the organic waste treatment facilities, developing the Community Green Stations network to strengthen the community recyclable collection network, and stepping up efforts to promote and implement the Food Wise Hong Kong Campaign to sustain reduction in food waste. The EPD will also continue to promote better recycling practice through, among other things, education and publicity programmes on clean recycling.
The report and "Hong Kong 2015 Municipal Solid Waste - At a Glance", which are available in electronic format, can be obtained from the EPD website at www.wastereduction.gov.hk/en/assistancewizard/waste_red_sat.htm.
Ends/Thursday, December 22, 2016
Issued at HKT 16:00
Issued at HKT 16:00
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