Videos from public help EPD make successful prosecutions against illegal construction waste disposal

     A villager of Kar Wo Lei Tsuen in Tuen Mun, using videos captured by a security monitoring system at the village, reported cases of two dump truck drivers illegally depositing mud debris near the village to the Environmental Protection Department (EPD). The dump truck drivers together with the relevant contractor were fined a total of $36,000 at Fanling Magistrates' Courts today (March 26) for contravening the Waste Disposal Ordinance (WDO).

     In November last year, the EPD received the videos from the villager reporting that some people had unloaded mud debris from dump trucks on government land in Kar Wo Lei Tsuen in Tuen Mun, posing danger and inconvenience to pedestrians and causing environmental hygiene problems. The department successfully traced the dump truck drivers involved in the two cases of illegal construction waste disposal, and the contractor who hired them, based on the dump trucks' number plates captured by the videos and testimony provided by the villager. The department instigated prosecutions against the persons involved in accordance with the WDO after collecting evidence.

     The EPD spokesman reminded contractors and members of the transportation sector that they must properly deliver construction waste as well as commercial and industrial (C&I) waste to the government waste management facilities in accordance with the law. Otherwise, they could be prosecuted. Under the WDO, first-time offenders are liable to a maximum fine of $200,000 and six months' imprisonment. A maximum fine of $500,000 and six months' imprisonment may be imposed on second or subsequent convictions.

     The spokesman urged members of the public to make a report to the department if they witness any illegal disposal of construction waste as well as C&I waste. They can record videos or take photos and call the EPD hotline at 2838 3111.