The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) today (December 27) published the report "Monitoring of Solid Waste in Hong Kong – Waste Statistics for 2017", presenting the 2017 statistics on disposal and recovery/recycling of solid waste generated in Hong Kong, which includes municipal solid waste (MSW) (comprising domestic, commercial and industrial waste), overall construction waste and special waste.

     Overall, the quantity of MSW generated in 2017 was 5.75 million tonnes, an annual increase of 0.9 per cent. Domestic MSW generation dropped by 1.9 per cent, suggesting that members of the public have gradually become more aware of reduction of waste at source. Commercial and industrial MSW generation continued to rise, with an annual increase of 4.1 per cent.

     In 2017, the average daily quantity of solid waste disposed of at landfills was 15 516 tonnes, representing an increase of 1.2 per cent compared with 2016. Regarding MSW, the average daily quantity of disposal at landfills was 10 733 tonnes in 2017, representing an increase of 3.7 per cent compared with 2016.

     As far as the per capita MSW disposal rate per day is concerned, the 2017 figure was 1.45 kilograms, up from 1.41kg in 2016. The increase in the MSW disposal rate was partly caused by an increase in the amount of commercial and industrial waste being disposed of, which was partly attributable to a vibrant local economy in 2017.

     Looking at the figures by waste type, non-ferrous metals and glass disposal dropped by 16 per cent and 12 per cent respectively. However, paper disposal increased by 13 per cent and food waste disposal rose by 1.7 per cent.

     Regarding special waste, following the commencement of the Sludge Treatment Facility (T · PARK) in Tuen Mun in April 2015 to treat dewatered sewage sludge from major sewage treatment works managed by the Drainage Services Department, the disposal quantity of dewatered sludge has recorded a cumulative reduction of 88 per cent compared with 2014. However, due to the increase in dewatered sludge originating from other sources, the quantity of special waste being disposed of at landfills in 2017 increased by 1.9 per cent compared with 2016.

     Regarding construction waste, the recovery rate of inert construction materials delivered to public fill reception facilities and other outlets remained at a high level of 92 per cent in 2017. The disposal of overall construction waste at landfills registered a decrease of 4.9 per cent compared with 2016. It could be partly attributable to the increase in construction waste disposal charges effective from April 2017 to ensure that the charge can create sufficient incentive for the trade to reduce and reuse construction and demolition materials and reduce disposal.

     Hong Kong relies heavily on service industries, and hence has very limited capacity to utilise raw or recycled materials in local production. The value of and outlets for local recyclables have long been dictated by the condition of the market outside Hong Kong. The challenging condition of the market outside Hong Kong for recyclables that has persisted in recent years, together with stricter import controls imposed by nearby jurisdictions, has continued to affect the overall performance of the recycling industry. The MSW recovery rate was 32 per cent in 2017, lower than the 34 per cent of 2016. However, the voluntary glass bottle recycling programme funded by the Environment and Conservation Fund has led to an 18.4 per cent increase in the recovery of waste glass in 2017 compared to 2016.

     An EPD spokesman said that the Government will continue to work at full steam in implementing the "Hong Kong: Blueprint for Sustainable Use of Resources 2013-2022". In her Policy Address announced in October this year, the Chief Executive emphasised that the implementation of MSW charging is central to the Government’s overall waste reduction strategy. MSW charging will provide the necessary financial incentives to drive behavioural and cultural changes, and to encourage different sectors of the community to proactively practise waste reduction at source and clean recycling, thus reducing overall waste disposal. In Seoul and Taipei City, waste disposal dropped by some 30 per cent in the initial period after quantity-based waste charging was introduced. This demonstrates that a charging scheme can reduce waste effectively. The Government introduced the amendment bill into the Legislative Council (LegCo) for scrutiny in November 2018. After passage of the legislation, there will be a preparatory period of about 12 to 18 months to allow the Government, stakeholders and the public to prepare for the implementation of MSW charging.

     The EPD will continue to implement various policies to promote waste reduction, including implementing the two producer responsibility schemes (PRSs) on waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) and glass beverage containers. Regarding food waste, the largest component in MSW, the Organic Resources Recovery Centre Phase 1 (O · Park 1), which can process up to 200 tonnes of food waste per day, commenced operation in July 2018. The Organic Resources Recovery Centre Phase 2, which can process up to 300 tonnes of food waste per day, will commence operation in 2022, subject to the progress of funding approval by LegCo. Furthermore, the EPD has been planning to gradually implement "Food Waste – Sewage Sludge Anaerobic Co-digestion" at existing and future Sewage Treatment Works, with a view to raising the total food waste recycling quantity as soon as possible. The EPD will also roll out a free collection service for food waste initially from commercial and industrial sources on a pilot basis.

     The EPD is actively supporting the development of the local waste paper recycling industry to reduce the reliance on export to dispose of local waste paper. The EPD recently awarded a lease for four adjacent lots in EcoPark to develop a local waste paper recycling and manufacturing plant capable of processing about 300 000 tonnes a year. The plant will commence design and construction in 2019 and is planned to commence operation around 2022. The EPD is also actively working with other bureaux and departments to identify suitable long-term and short-term sites for developing more recycling facilities to support local recycling activities. The Government will continue to support the recycling industry through various Recycling Fund programmes, and to strengthen the promotion of a "clean recycling" culture in order to enhance the quality, as well as the competitiveness of local waste paper in the export market.

     The Policy Address also announced that various actions will be taken to tackle the challenges of waste plastic. Among others, the Government will press ahead with the introduction of the PRS on plastic beverage containers, review the operation of the plastic shopping bag charging scheme and roll out a free collection service for waste plastics from non-commercial and non-industrial sources on a pilot basis. Furthermore, the EPD will carry out a consultancy study in 2018/19 to study the feasibility of introducing regulatory control on the use of disposable plastic tableware in future, as well as the relevant mainstream proposals. Meanwhile, the Government will take the lead in reducing the use of disposable plastic tableware at canteens and restaurants in government venues.

     The report and "Hong Kong 2017 Municipal Solid Waste – At a Glance" are both available in electronic format and can be obtained from the EPD website at www.wastereduction.gov.hk/en/assistancewizard/waste_red_sat.htm.

     The Labour Department (LD) is investigating a fatal work accident in Yau Tong this afternoon (December 27), in which a man died.
 
     The LD immediately deployed staff to the scene upon receiving a report of the accident, and is now conducting an investigation into its cause.

     The Lands Department announced today (December 27) that information on government sites granted by short term tenancy (STT) since January 1, 2018 is now available on the GeoInfo Map.

     The GeoInfo Map now contains information on STTs granted by either open tender or direct grant or STTs with rent reviewed since January 1, 2018 (updated till end of October 2018). Information on STTs granted or with rent reviewed thereafter will also be uploaded onto the GeoInfo Map regularly initially on a quarterly basis.

     The STT information available on GeoInfo Map includes site area, commencement date, tenancy term, use and rent. The particulars of tenants will be added in future pending introduction of a revised consent clause for information disclosure in tenancy agreements. The information provided is for general reference only.

     The Transport Department today (December 27) announced that the auction of traditional vehicle registration marks will be held on January 12 (Saturday), in Meeting Room S221, L2, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Wan Chai.

     "A total of 320 vehicle registration marks will be put up for public auction. The list of marks has been posted at the department’s website, www.td.gov.hk," a department spokesman said.

     Applicants who have paid a deposit of $1,000 to reserve a mark for auction should also participate in the bidding (including the first bid at the reserve price of $1,000). Otherwise, the mark may be sold to another bidder at the reserve price.

     People who wish to participate in the bidding at the auction should take note of the following important points:
     
(a) Successful bidders are required to produce the following documents for completion of registration and payment procedures immediately after the successful bidding:
(1) the identity document of the successful bidder;
(2) the identity document of the purchaser if it is different from the successful bidder;
(3) a copy of the Certificate of Incorporation if the purchaser is a body corporate; and
(4) a crossed cheque made payable to "The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region" or "The Government of the HKSAR". (For an auctioned mark paid for by cheque, the first three working days after the date of auction will be required for cheque clearance confirmation before processing of the application for mark assignment can be completed.) Successful bidders can also pay through the Easy Pay System (EPS). Payment by post-dated cheques, cash or other methods will not be accepted.

(b) Purchasers must make payment of the purchase price through EPS or by crossed cheque and complete the Memorandum of Sale of Registration Mark immediately after the bidding. Subsequent alteration of the particulars in the memorandum will not be permitted.

(c) A vehicle registration mark can only be assigned to a motor vehicle which is registered in the name of the purchaser. The Certificate of Incorporation must be produced immediately by the purchaser if a vehicle registration mark purchased is to be registered under the name of a body corporate.

(d) Special registration marks are non-transferable. Where the ownership of a motor vehicle with a special registration mark is transferred, the allocation of the special registration mark shall be cancelled.

(e) The purchaser shall, within 12 months after the date of auction, apply to the Commissioner for Transport for the registration mark to be assigned to a motor vehicle registered in the name of the purchaser. If the purchaser fails to assign the registration mark within 12 months, allocation of the mark will be cancelled and arranged for re-allocation in accordance with the statutory provision without prior notice to the purchaser.

     For other auction details, please refer to the Guidance Notes – Auction of Vehicle Registration Marks, which can be downloaded from the department’s website, www.td.gov.hk.

     The Electrical and Mechanical Services Department today (December 27) announced an adjustment to the auto-LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) ceiling prices for dedicated LPG filling stations from January 1 to January 31, 2019, in accordance with the terms and conditions of the contracts of the dedicated LPG filling stations.

     A department spokesman said that the adjustment on January 1, 2019, reflects the movement of the LPG international price in December 2018. The adjusted auto-LPG ceiling prices for dedicated LPG filling stations will range from $2.89 to $3.42 per litre, representing a decrease of $0.45 to $0.46 per litre.

     The spokesman said that the auto-LPG ceiling prices were adjusted according to a specified pricing formula. The formula comprises two elements – the LPG international price and the LPG operating price. The LPG international price is the LPG international price of the preceding month. The LPG operating price is adjusted on the first day of February every year according to the movement in the Composite Consumer Price Index in the previous year.

     The auto-LPG ceiling prices for respective dedicated LPG filling stations in January 2019 are as follows:

 
     The spokesman said that the details of the LPG international price and the auto-LPG ceiling price of each dedicated LPG filling station have been uploaded to the department website www.emsd.gov.hk. They are also posted at dedicated LPG filling stations to enable the trades to monitor the price adjustment.
 
     Details of the pricing adjustment mechanism for dedicated LPG filling stations can also be viewed under the "What's New" section of the department website at www.emsd.gov.hk/en/what_s_new/current/index.html .