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Press Release
E-waste intercepted
The Environmental Protection Department with the assistance of the Police and Marine Department intercepted some 4,000 waste computer monitors with cathode ray tubes (CRTs) from a mainland-bound vessel berthed at Chai Wan Public Cargo Works Area (PCWA) in today's (March 7) operation.
An EPD spokesman said that upon receiving intelligence, EPD officers today inspected the vessel and found the e-waste on board. The owner of the e-waste has been identified and further investigation into the case is being conducted.
CRT waste in large quantity is hazardous waste subject to the control of the Waste Disposal Ordinance (WDO). Transboundary movement of CRT waste is also governed by the international Basel Convention on control over transboundary movement of hazardous waste.
Import or export of hazardous e-waste without a valid permit issued by the EPD is an offence under the WDO. Offenders are liable to a maximum fine of $200,000 and six months' imprisonment for the first offence.
Also in today's operation, EPD intercepted two containers of suspected chemical waste being unloaded at Chai Wan PCWA. These chemical waste are largely waste computer monitors and television sets with CRTs.
Under WDO (Chemical Waste) (General) Regulation, any person who produces chemical waste has to register with EPD and the chemical waste shall be properly packed, labeled and stored. Where chemical waste is to be removed from a site or premises, it shall only be carried out by a licensed waste collector.
The spokesman said that any person who failed to do so would be liable to a maximum penalty of $200,000 and an imprisonment of six months.
He added that the EPD would continue to investigate and take appropriate legal action.
Ends/Wednesday, March 7, 2007
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