Two recycling sites in Yuen Long convicted for illegal storage of hazardous electronic waste (with photos)
​Two recycling sites in Yuen Long, operated by Shengji Industrial Trading Limited and Dragon_I Recycling Trading Company respectively, illegally stored hazardous electronic waste (e-waste). The responsible person and owner of the companies were convicted and fined a total of $20,500 at Fanling Magistrates' Courts today (November 20) for contravening the Waste Disposal Ordinance (WDO) and the Waste Disposal (Chemical Waste) (General) Regulation.
A spokesman for the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) said that operations were conducted by EPD staff in March and April to step up enforcement actions to combat irregularities at open space recycling sites in the vicinity of Shek Wu Wai in Yuen Long. The officers successfully raided the recycling sites operated by Shengji Industrial Trading Limited and Dragon_I Recycling Trading Company respectively at the above location and found that the sites illegally stored waste printed circuit boards (PCBs) and waste LCD monitors, which are classified as chemical waste. Some waste PCBs and LCDs were stored in the open space or chaotically placed in plastic or paper boxes without lids. A total of about 50 bags of PCBs weighing about 18 tonnes and more than 800 waste LCDs monitors were found during the two operations, with a total export market value of $2 million. Upon evidence gathering, the EPD initiated prosecutions against the recycling sites' responsible person and owner in accordance with the Waste Disposal (Chemical Waste) (General) Regulation.
The spokesman stressed that dismantled PCBs, LCD monitors and cathode ray tubes are hazardous e-waste, containing heavy metals and other toxic substances. They are classified as chemical waste. Chemical waste is hazardous by nature and, if not properly controlled, will pollute the environment and pose a risk to the health of relevant trade practitioners and the general public. The EPD will continue to combat the illegal collection, storage, handling and import activities of hazardous e-waste. Anyone who violates the above laws shall be liable to a maximum fine of $200,000 and six months' imprisonment for the first conviction. For subsequent offences, offenders are liable to a maximum fine of $500,000 and two years' imprisonment.
For more information about the control of chemical waste, please visit the EPD's website: www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/environmentinhk/waste/guide_ref/guide_cwc.html.
