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     Following is the transcript of remarks by the Secretary for the Environment, Mr Wong Kam-sing, on the implementation of the Producer Responsibility Scheme on Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment before attending a meeting with the Kwai Tsing District Council today (August 2):

Reporter: Mr Wong, there is only one contractor, Alba, collecting old items from households and collection time may take days. If citizens do not want to keep a bulky item like an old fridge at home for so long, they may need to pay to the sellers at extra cost for a speedier collection service. So, do you think the policy is adding burden to consumers?

Secretary for the Environment: We have to understand that similar policies around the world actually require the balancing of all the concerned factors. The idea is that, if one would like to buy a new appliance, he should have a certain plan in advance. Say, if he would like the new appliance to be delivered in three days after (the day of) purchase, then they can easily match their purchase plan with the free removal service on the same day. So, it is actually a kind of reasonable arrangement. 

Reporter: There is only one contractor handling all cases. Do you think it has enough capacity to handle all service requests in Hong Kong? 

Secretary for the Environment: Regarding the capacity, there are actually two aspects. Firstly is the end-of-pipe capacity. That means whether the facility has adequate recycling capacity. The chosen recycler by most of the retailers actually has a plant in the EcoPark. Their basic capacity can handle about half of the total concerned electronic waste (e-waste) in Hong Kong. So it’s good enough. At the same time, there are two other licensed operators and altogether they can handle all concerned e-waste in Hong Kong. In terms of end-of-pipe capacity, it should be enough. Actually, I want to add that currently not all the e-waste is taken for recycling. Some of them are in pretty good shape and they can be reused. The second aspect is about logistics, whether the operators have the capacity to take those old items from your home or premises to the plants. Actually this is quite flexible because operators can easily engage more logistic operators to cope with the situation. It’s a matter of choice that most retailers have chosen one licensed operator at present. Given this situation, the chosen operator has already beefed up its logistic capacity. The performance pledge of “T+3” free removal service (collecting the waste equipment three working days after receipt of the service requests from the sellers) should be able to achieve by 100 per cent. 

(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.) read more

     A girl who went missing in Wong Tai Sin has been located.      Lau Sum-yi, aged 14, went missing after she was last seen on Clear Water Bay Road on May 5 afternoon. Her social worker made a repo… read more

     The Correctional Services Department (CSD) held a passing-out parade at its Staff Training Institute in Stanley today (August 2) with 134 Assistant Officers II graduating. The Chairman of the Committee on Community Support for Rehabilitated Offenders, Mr Siu Chor-kee, reviewed the parade.

     Addressing the passing-out parade, Mr Siu said the CSD has all along been placing dual emphasis on safe custody and rehabilitation. The CSD is committed to providing excellent custodial management, protecting public safety and building a safe and secure platform for the implementation of rehabilitation work. On the other hand, the CSD continues to innovate and provide new rehabilitation programmes for persons in custody. In recent years, the CSD has proactively reached out to the community, launching diversified community education programmes to help prevent crimes with remarkable results.

     He said that in a period spanning more than 10 years, he has witnessed the development of correctional work. In 2003, he was invited to serve as a member of the Committee on Community Support for Rehabilitated Offenders, and since then he has gradually come to understand the meaning of correctional work and its importance to social stability. He said the CSD has a passion for promoting rehabilitation work, and added that, inspired by the CSD’s passion, he actively participates in its various activities which enhance employment opportunities for rehabilitated persons. He has also registered as a member under the Caring Employers programme of the CSD. In 2014, he was invited to serve as the Chairman of the Committee on Community Support for Rehabilitated Offenders.

     Mr Siu said that his participation in the rehabilitation work of the CSD, whether in the capacity as the Chairman of the Committee on Community Support for Rehabilitated Offenders, as an employer from the business sector or in any other capacity, for example as the Chairman of the District Fight Crime Committee of Kowloon City, has enabled him to gain a more thorough understanding of correctional services in Hong Kong from different perspectives. Describing correctional officers as unsung heroes, he said they have all along been working conscientiously and contributing to maintaining the safety and stability of Hong Kong while never asking for applause. As correctional work is arduous, he encouraged all passing-out members to rise to the challenges and commit themselves fully to perform their duties, serve the public and contribute to society without fear.

     Two passing-out members spoke to the media after the parade. Assistant Officer II Mr Chan Hei-yee joined the CSD after being inspired by his parents, who are former CSD staff. He said that he will strive to serve society and help persons in custody to rehabilitate. Assistant Officer II Ms Liu Choi-shing joined the CSD after being influenced by her brother, who is a serving officer of the CSD. She expressed the belief that correctional work is meaningful in that it can help people get back on track. She said she will continue to discharge her duties with perseverance so as to contribute to society.

                

     The Secretary for the Environment, Mr Wong Kam-sing, visited Kwai Tsing District this afternoon (August 2) and called at the container terminal and GreenPrice Supermarket in the district to understand their operations. He also exchanged views with members of the Kwai Tsing District Council (K&TDC) on environmental issues.
　　
     Accompanied by the Kwai Tsing District Officer, Mr Kenneth Cheng, Mr Wong first visited Hongkong International Terminals Limited to learn about its environmental management system. The company has implemented a series of green measures to improve the environment of the container terminal, including the use of electric or hybrid gantry cranes and other mobile mechanical facilities to reduce carbon emissions, the installation of solar water heating systems and grid-connected photovoltaic systems to make good use of renewable energy, and the use of energy-efficient lighting systems to save energy.
　
     Mr Wong then departed for the green social enterprise GreenPrice Supermarket to find out more about its business philosophy of being food wise and wasting less. The social enterprise was founded by four young entrepreneurs to encourage members of the public to change their food consumption patterns and reduce food waste by promoting and reselling food and ingredients that are excess stock or about to expire. Mr Wong thanked the founders and their employees for bringing the food wise culture into the community. He said that waste reduction at source is a highlight of the Government’s work. The Government will continue to implement the Food Wise Hong Kong Campaign and further deepen its effectiveness, so as to promote a food wise culture for all. The Government will also encourage food donations through the Environment and Conservation Fund by providing subsidies to non-profit-making organisations to collect surplus food from different channels for redistribution to those in need, with a view to cultivating a green and caring society.
 
     Before concluding his itinerary, Mr Wong paid a visit to the K&TDC to meet with its Chairman, Mr Law King-shing, and members to listen to their views on the Government’s environmental policies and learn more about their concerns on district environmental issues.

        

     Hong Kong Customs seized about 22 000 suspected smuggled signal flares with an estimated market value of about $1.5 million at Shenzhen Bay Control Point on July 30.      Customs officers interc… read more