ýÿThe Ombudsman today (April 28) released its Direct Investigation Report on "Management and effectiveness of waste separation bins". The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) welcomes the Ombudsman's recognition of its effort in various aspects after taking over the management of recycling bins in public places since October 1, 2020. The EPD agrees with the six recommendations made in the report and will actively follow them up. 

     The Government has been advocating clean recycling and serving the public through expanding the community recycling network. The EPD has been expanding and upgrading the coverage of the community recycling network GREEN@COMMUNITY, consisting of Recycling Stations, Recycling Stores and Recycling Spots. Among them, a new batch of 10 Recycling Stores has all begun operation. Furthermore, the EPD has rolled out a GREEN$ Electronic Participation Incentive Scheme and, in January 2022, launched a mobile app so as to encourage more members of the public to participate in separation of resources and clean recycling.

     The recycling bins in public places such as roadsides are one of the community recycling facilities. However, the quantity of recyclables collected from these bins is limited, with around 1 000 tonnes per year, amounting to less than 0.1 per cent of the annual total amount of recyclables collected in Hong Kong. With the gradual development of the community recycling network GREEN@COMMUNITY and the implementation of various waste reduction and recycling programmes, the EPD anticipates a declining demand for roadside recycling bins in urban areas. The role of recycling bins at roadsides and other public places will also gradually change and they may even be completely replaced due to the development of the community recycling network GREEN@COMMUNITY and other factors. The EPD is reviewing the positioning of recycling bins in public places for deciding on the way forward.

Ends/Thursday, April 28, 2022
Issued at HKT 11:30

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