Technician of vehicle maintenance workshop fined for illegal disposal of spent lubricating oil in Kowloon City
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During an inspection by the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) in September last year, it was found that outside Jay Sing Auto Service Company, located at 53A Nga Tsin Wai Road in Kowloon City, a technician had illegally deposited spent lubricating oil, which was classified as chemical waste, beside a rubbish bin on the pavement near the workshop. The spent lubricating oil was not properly labelled and stored, and no licensed chemical waste collector was engaged to collect the oil in accordance with the statuary requirements. After gathering sufficient evidence, the EPD instituted prosecution against the technician under the WDO and the Regulation.
The spokesman explained that spent lubricating oil and waste oil filters generated by vehicle maintenance workshops are classified as chemical waste, which contains various toxic chemicals. Improper handling of such waste will cause the spent lubricating oil to leak into nearby watercourses or soil, causing harm to the environment and public health.
The EPD spokesman reminded all garage operators and workers engaged in vehicle repairing businesses that they should register as chemical waste producers with the EPD in accordance with the Regulation. Chemical waste must be properly packaged, labelled and stored, and has to be collected by licensed chemical waste collectors for delivery to licensed chemical waste disposal facilities for treatment. For replacement of lubricating oil, vehicle owners should engage the services of vehicle repair garages or companies registered with the EPD. Anyone engaged in illegal collection, storage and disposal of chemical waste or illegal disposal of waste in a public place will be prosecuted. First-time offenders are liable to a maximum fine of $200,000 and six months' imprisonment.
Members of the public may visit the EPD's website for more information about the control of chemical waste: www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/environmentinhk/waste/guide_ref/guide_cwc.html.
Ends/Thursday, April 19, 2018
Issued at HKT 14:58
Issued at HKT 14:58
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