Author Archives: hksar gov

     An unlicensed waste collector again illegally collected waste vehicle batteries, which are classified as chemical waste. He was convicted at Fanling Magistrates’ Courts today (July 31) for contravening the Waste Disposal Ordinance (WDO) and the Waste Disposal (Chemical Waste) (General) Regulation and was fined a total of $17,000. This collector was also convicted in March this year for illegal collection of waste vehicle batteries and fined $11,000.
      
     During an enforcement operation in January this year, staff of the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) intercepted a light goods vehicle at Tung Fat Square in Tai Po and found some 40 waste vehicle batteries in the vehicle. After investigation by the department, it was confirmed that the person involved in the case was not a licensed chemical waste collector and that he had illegally collected waste lead-acid batteries (WLABs) from nearby vehicle repair workshops. After investigation, the EPD prosecuted the collector under the WDO and the Regulation.
      
     The EPD spokesman said that WLABs contain sulphuric acid and lead, while waste lubricating oil contains mineral oil, and these are classified as chemical waste. Improper handling or disposal will pollute the environment and pose risks to public health.
      
     The spokesman reminded those who provide vehicle battery replacement or vehicle repair services that they should register with the EPD as chemical waste producers in accordance with the Regulation, and should hire a licensed chemical waste collector to properly collect and handle WLABs, waste lubricating oil and more. For replacement of vehicle batteries or lubricating oil, vehicle owners should engage the services of registered vehicle repair workshops or companies.
      
     Under the WDO, first-time offenders are liable to a maximum fine of $200,000 and six months’ imprisonment. For subsequent offences, offenders are liable to a maximum fine of $500,000 and two years’ imprisonment.
      
     Members of the public may visit the EPD’s website for more information about the control of chemical waste: www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/environmentinhk/waste/guide_ref/guide_cwc.html. read more

     The Transport Department (TD) today (July 31) announced that the next auction of personalised vehicle registration marks (PVRMs) will be held on September 8 (Saturday), at Meeting Room S421, L4, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Wan Chai.

     “A total of 210 approved PVRMs will be put up for public auction. A list of the marks was posted on the department’s website, www.td.gov.hk, today,” a department spokesman said.

     The reserve price of all these marks is $5,000. Applicants who have paid a deposit of $5,000 should also participate in the bidding (including the first bid at the reserve price). Otherwise, the PVRM concerned 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:

(i) Paddle bidding will be used at this auction;

(ii) The display of a PVRM on a motor vehicle should be in compliance with the requirements stipulated in Schedule 4 of the Road Traffic (Registration and Licensing of Vehicles) Regulations;

(iii) Any change to the arrangement of letters, numerals and blank spaces of a PVRM, i.e. single and two rows as auctioned, will not be allowed;

(iv) Purchasers must make payment of the purchase price through the Easy Pay System (EPS), or by crossed cheque and complete the Memorandum of Sale of PVRM immediately after the bidding of the PVRM concerned. Subsequent alteration of the particulars in the memorandum will not be permitted. 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; and

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

     “Upon completion of the Memorandum of Sale of PVRM, the purchaser will be issued a receipt and a Certificate of Allocation of Personalised Registration Mark. The Certificate of Allocation will serve to prove the holdership of the PVRM. Potential buyers of vehicles bearing a PVRM should check the Certificate of Allocation with the sellers and pay attention to the details therein. For transfer of vehicle ownership, this certificate together with other required documents should be sent to the TD for processing,” the spokesman said.

     For other auction details, please refer to the Guidance Notes – Auction of PVRM, which is available at the department’s licensing offices or can be downloaded from its website, www.td.gov.hk. read more

     Police will implement a territory-wide trial scheme for six months to tackle traffic congestion related offences with the use of technology from tomorrow (August 1).      The territory-wide tria… read more

     The Music Delights Series presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department will feature four concerts from September to January to offer alternative enjoyment for classical music fans.      The R… read more

     The Labour Department (LD) will hold a public talk entitled “Occupational health hints for new recruit young employees” on August 7 (Tuesday) to enhance understanding and awareness of occupational health among young people having joined or about to join the workforce. The talk will cover the basic concepts of occupational health, and explain through case scenarios some occupational health hazards and their preventive measures.
      
     The talk, to be given by the LD’s occupational health nurse, will be held at 3pm in Activity Room 1, Hong Kong Central Library, 66 Causeway Road, Causeway Bay.
      
     The LD will hold another talk entitled “Health hazards of hot environment at work” on August 13 (Monday). The talk, designed for workers in hot environments to enhance their awareness of heat stroke prevention, will cover symptoms of heat stroke, its first aid management and preventive measures.

     The talk, to be given by the LD’s occupational health nurse and occupational hygienist, will be held at 3pm in the Lecture Hall of the Hong Kong Space Museum, 10 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui.
      
     Both talks will be conducted in Cantonese. Admission is free. For enquiries or registration, please call 2852 4040. read more