​A vehicle maintenance workshop, Tech Auto Services Limited, located at Long Hon Road in Tong Yan San Tsuen in Yuen Long, illegally handled chemical waste such as spent lubricating oil and was fined $18,000 by Fanling Magistrates' Courts today (April 10) for contravening the Waste Disposal Ordinance and the Waste Disposal (Chemical Waste) (General) Regulation.
      
     Environmental Protection Department (EPD) staff carried out an investigation at the above vehicle maintenance workshop at Long Hon Road in Tong Yan Sun Tsuen in Yuen Long upon receiving a complaint in July last year. It was found that lubricating oil was spilled on the floor at its chemical waste storage facility, which had damage in its bottom part. The barrel storing the spent lubricating oil and waste oil filters did not have any retention trays. The EPD subsequently initiated prosecution against the operator after gathering sufficient evidence on the vehicle maintenance workshop's contravention of the Waste Disposal Ordinance and the Regulation.
      
     The spokesman explained that spent lubricating oil and waste oil filters generated by vehicle maintenance workshops are classified as chemical waste, and contain various toxic chemicals. Improper handling of such waste will cause the spent lubricating oil to leak into nearby watercourses and soil, causing harm to the environment and public health.
      
     The EPD spokesman reminded all garage operators and workers engaged in vehicle repairing businesses that chemical waste producers should register with the EPD in accordance with the Waste Disposal Ordinance and the Regulation. Chemical waste must be properly labelled and stored, and has to be collected by licensed chemical waste collectors for delivery to licensed chemical waste disposal facilities for disposal. First-time offenders are liable to a maximum fine of $200,000 and six months' imprisonment.

Ends/Tuesday, April 10, 2018
Issued at HKT 17:40

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