Three persons involved in three cases of illegal waste disposal in public places in Yuen Long were fined a total of $14,000 at Fanling Magistrates' Courts today (March 19) for contravening the Waste Disposal Ordinance (WDO).
A spokesman for the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) said that in September last year, the department successfully intercepted the person-in-charge of a renovation site on Fuk Hi Street in Yuen Long with information reported by a member of the public. He was suspected of illegally disposing of demolition and construction waste, including rubble and bricks, at the roadside nearby, which caused obstruction on the pavement and adversely affected environmental hygiene. During a series of enforcement actions conducted by the department in the same district in October last year, the EPD also intercepted a lorry driver and a worker on Tai Shu Ha Road East and Fui Sha Wai South Road in Yuen Long respectively as they illegally disposed of waste, such as wood waste and plastic bottles, in public places. The department instigated prosecutions against the persons involved in accordance with the WDO after collecting evidence.
The EPD spokesman reminded all members of the renovation, construction and transportation sectors, including persons-in-charge of construction sites, workers as well as drivers and owners of goods vehicles, that they must properly deliver commercial and industrial waste and construction waste to the government waste management facilities in accordance with the law. It is unlawful to dispose of waste in public places and on the roadside. First-time offenders under the WDO are liable to a maximum fine of $200,000 and six months' imprisonment. A maximum fine of $500,000 and six months' imprisonment may be imposed on second or subsequent convictions.
The spokesman urged members of the public to make a report to the department if they witness any illegal disposal of waste. They can record videos or take photos and call the EPD hotline at 2838 3111.
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