EPD awards contract for Pilot Scheme on Collection and Recycling Services of Plastic Recyclable Materials – Eastern District

     The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) today (October 24) announced that, following an open tendering exercise, a 27-month contract for the Pilot Scheme on Collection and Recycling Services of Plastic Recyclable Materials – Eastern District has been awarded to Success Grand Environmental Limited.

     An EPD spokesman said, "To enhance the recycling system and the recycling quantity of waste plastics, as well as to encourage public participation in waste separation and recycling, the EPD will roll out a two-year pilot scheme in Eastern District, Kwun Tong and Sha Tin to provide free collection services for waste plastics from non-commercial and non-industrial (non-C&I) sources."

     Under the pilot scheme, the EPD will hire contractors to collect all types of waste plastics such as different types of plastic bottles, containers and utensils, packaging materials and styrofoam, directly from non-C&I premises in the districts, including public and private housing estates, schools and public institutions as well as Community Green Stations and Community Recycling Centres under the management of the EPD, for further treatment.

     The spokesman added, "The contractors are required to carry out waste plastics recycling processes such as sorting, shredding, cleaning and melting, and to produce recycled raw materials or products for the local or external markets so as to ensure proper handling of the collected waste plastics. The contractors are also required to partner with a non-profit organisation to conduct publicity and promotional activities, and to set up the mobile collection points so as to educate the public on proper recycling while collecting waste plastics."

     The contract for Eastern District is the first contract awarded under the pilot scheme. The EPD has also invited tenders for the collection and recycling services of plastic recyclable materials in Kwun Tong and Sha Tin districts in late August. It is expected that these two contracts can be awarded in the first quarter of 2020. Having regard to the experience gained from the pilot scheme and the progress of the Producer Responsibility Scheme on plastic beverage containers, the EPD will expand the free collection service for non-C&I waste plastics to cover the whole territory progressively.