Statement by Environment and Conservation Fund Committee on implementation of municipal solid waste charging scheme in Hong Kong
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The Environment and Conservation Fund (ECF) Committee announced today (January 26) the below statement on the implementation of the municipal solid waste (MSW) charging scheme in Hong Kong.
The ECF Committee has been advising the Government over the years on providing funding support to environmental protection projects proposed by local organisations. We strongly believe that, like many other advanced cities around the world, MSW charging will bring a positive impact to the sustainable development of Hong Kong and the realisation of a better environment.
In the past six years, the ECF Committee has approved funding for more than 300 environmental projects supporting local non-profit making organisations and environmental groups in implementing a wide range of projects, and has organised various education and promotion activities through the Environmental Campaign Committee. These projects and activities included initiatives which were implemented in concert with the early preparation and publicity for the introduction of the MSW charging scheme. The ECF Committee will keep on providing funding support to suitable organisations and work hand in hand with the Government to enhance the understanding and active participation of all stakeholders in the MSW charging scheme.
We appreciate that the success of the MSW charging scheme requires public collaboration and it is of vital importance for the public to understand the value of the scheme. To put the scheme in practice, different business and service sectors require hands-on practice and adaptation to cope with different operational circumstances. We fully support the Government in explaining specifically to the community the value and operational details of the MSW charging scheme through scenario-based illustrations before the new legislation takes effect, so as to demonstrate the operability of the MSW charging scheme by facts.
We will continue to work together with the Government to strive for an effective implementation of the MSW charging scheme. At the same time, we will appeal to every partnering organisation of the ECF to support the MSW charging scheme, work in collaboration to turn Hong Kong into a greener, cleaner and more liveable city, and achieve a better living environment for us and our future generations, while contributing to the sustainable development of Hong Kong.
Ends/Friday, January 26, 2024
Issued at HKT 18:50
Issued at HKT 18:50
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