Tag Archives: China

     The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) said today (August 2) the Producer Responsibility Scheme on Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE), or in short WPRS, ran generally smoothly in the first two days of implementation. The WPRS covers air-conditioners, refrigerators, washing machines, televisions, computers, printers, scanners and monitors (collectively referred to as regulated electrical equipment, or REE).

     A spokesman for EPD said, “The new scheme runs generally smoothly in the first two days of implementation. The EPD has been closely monitoring the operation of the operator of the Government’s WEEE Treatment and Recycling Facility (WEEE‧PARK). To prepare for the implementation of the scheme, the operator has fully geared up and put in additional manpower to attain its performance pledge for collecting the used equipment from consumers three working days after receipt of the service request from the sellers. After reviewing the booking position of the operator for the coming days, we believe the operator has the capacity to fulfil this pledge. On this basis, consumers should be able to ask the sellers to arrange delivery of the new product and removal of a used equipment on the same day without the need to pay an extra fee to the sellers.”
 
     “For members of the public who do not purchase a new REE but have to dispose of a used REE, please call the recycling hotline 2676 8888 to make an appointment with the WEEE‧PARK operator for free collection. In this regard, the operator will make full use of its additional manpower to meet the service demand. Based on the current booking position, the operator is able to arrange collection of the used items in about a week after receipt of the collection request through the hotline,” the spokesman added.
 
     The EPD also appeals to members of the public to make full use of the free statutory removal service under the WPRS or the free collection service through the recycling hotline, and not to throw away any used REE at the refuse collection points. In case used REE are found at the refuse collection points, the EPD has worked with the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department to ensure proper handling and recycling of those items, which will not be delivered to the landfills or the refuse transfer stations.

     Meanwhile, with the commencement of the legislation, the EPD has commenced its enforcement efforts including inspections at shops suspected of breaching the law and which have not submitted applications. As at 4pm today, the EPD has conducted inspection at over 90 points of sales and the overall compliance situation is satisfactory.

     Among others, in following up a complaint received from a member of the public, the EPD has found a suspected case of non-compliance. The seller concerned is suspected of distributing REE to a consumer in the absence of a removal service plan (RSP) that has been endorsed by the EPD. The EPD is conducting investigation and will take enforcement actions as necessary.  According to the law, any person who contravenes this requirement is liable to a maximum fine of $100,000 on conviction. 

      A supplier of REE must also register with the EPD before distributing REE. Offenders are liable to a maximum fine of $100,000 on conviction.

      As at July 31, 2018 immediately before the commencement of the law, the EPD had received 2 562 applications for endorsement of RSP by REE sellers and 219 applications for registration as suppliers. As of today, the EPD has approved 1 843 and 183 applications respectively. Those cases that are still being processed were received in the week preceding the commencement of the law, including 38 RSP endorsement and 4 supplier registration applications received yesterday. The EPD will complete processing these applications as soon as possible.

     A set of questions and answers about the operation of the WPRS is at Annex. Members of the public can call the EPD’s dedicated hotline 2310 0223 if they have any questions or complaints on the implementation arrangement of the WPRS. read more

     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.