Successful prosecutions against illegal waste disposal by EPD following public report

     A cleaning contractor and one of its staff members illegally deposited some 20 bags of rubbish at Tat Fuk Road in Tuen Mun this February. They were fined a total of $10,000 at Fanling Magistrates' Courts today (September 4) for contravening the Waste Disposal Ordinance (WDO).

     In February, a member of the public witnessed someone unloading about 20 bags of rubbish with bad odour from a garbage truck at Tat Fuk Road in Tuen Mun, seriously affecting environmental hygiene. The member of the public reported the case to the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) and provided photos taken during the incident to assist the EPD's investigation. With the licence plate information, the EPD was able to trace the cleaning contractor and the staff member involved. The department subsequently prosecuted them in accordance with the WDO after collecting sufficient evidence.

     It is unlawful to dispose of waste in public places or on the roadside. The EPD spokesman reminded cleaning companies and their staff that they should dispose of waste properly in accordance with the law. Under the WDO, first-time offenders are liable to a maximum fine of $200,000 and six months' imprisonment for depositing waste in a public place.

     The spokesman encouraged members of the public to make a report to the department if they witness any illegal disposal of waste from vehicles. They can record videos or take photos and call the EPD hotline at 2838 3111 to help combat illegal dumping.