Five persons engaged in renovation works and cargo transportation were involved in the illegal roadside dumping of construction and commercial and industrial (C&I) waste in Tuen Mun, Tsuen Wan and Kwai Chung. They were fined a total of $29,500 by Fanling Magistrates' Courts today (October 2) for contravening the Waste Disposal Ordinance (WDO). In addition, three car owners refused to provide drivers' information to the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) about illegal dumping cases at Yuen Long and Ta Kwu Ling. They were fined a total of $14,500 by Fanling Magistrates' Courts on September 18, September 24 and today for contravening the WDO.
The EPD successfully traced six fly-tipping cases through the surveillance camera systems installed at fly-tipping black spots in March and May this year. Video clips were recorded by surveillance camera systems installed at the black spots of Ho Fat Lane in Tuen Mun, Tai Chung Road in Tsuen Wan and Lam Tin Street in Kwai Chung. After evidence gathering, the EPD subsequently prosecuted five persons involved under the WDO. One of the persons involved at the black spot in Kwai Chung illegally disposed of construction waste and garbage in the same place three times in three days.
An EPD spokesman said that the EPD has installed surveillance camera systems at fly-tipping black spots in order to step up monitoring and deterrence against illegal waste disposal and to assist in law enforcement.
For the fly-tipping case at a black spot in Kwai Chung, a member of the public took video footage of the waste discarded from a vehicle at the black spot. According to the video footage and testimony reported by the member of the public, the EPD successfully prosecuted the two persons involved.
Separately, the department received a complaint from a member of the public early this year about illegal dumpling activities at Lut Chau in Yuen Long and Lin Ma Hang Road in Ta Kwu Ling. The EPD traced the three vehicle owners involved after investigation and issued notices to the owners asking for the contact information of the drivers involved. No reply was received after the deadline and the EPD subsequently prosecuted the car owners involved under the WDO.
The EPD urges members of the public to make a report to the department if they witness any illegal disposal of waste from vehicles. They can record videos and call the EPD hotline at 2838 3111 to help combat illegal dumping. The spokesman said that registered vehicle owners may be prosecuted if they refuse to provide the information required for law enforcement, such as the identity of the driver or person involved.
The spokesman reminded those involved in renovation and construction works and the transportation sector that demolition waste as well as C&I waste should be delivered to the Government's waste treatment facilities for proper disposal in accordance with legal requirements. It is unethical and unlawful to dispose of waste in public places and on the roadside. Under the WDO, it is an offence for anyone to dispose of waste in public places. First-time offenders are liable to a maximum fine of $200,000 and six months' imprisonment.
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