6 WASTE MANAGEMENT

6.1 Introduction

6.2 Environmental Legislation, Policies, Plans, Standards and Criteria

6.3 Assessment Methodology

6.4 Identification of Potential Sources of Impact

6.5 Prediction and Evaluation of Environmental Impacts

6.6 Mitigation Measures

6.7 Evaluation of Residual Impacts

6.8 Environmental Audit

6.9 Conclusion

6 WASTE management

6.1 Introduction

6.1.1 This section identifies the types of solid wastes that are likely to be generated during the construction and operation phases of the Road P2 and other roads (DP2) and evaluates the potential environmental impacts that may result from these wastes. Mitigation measures and good site practices, including measures for waste handling, storage and disposal, are recommended with reference to the applicable waste legislation and guidelines.

6.2 Environmental Legislation, Policies, Plans, Standards and Criteria

6.2.1 The criteria and guidelines for assessing waste management implications are set out in Annex 7 and Annex 15 of the Technical Memorandum on Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance (EIAO-TM), respectively.

6.2.2 The following legislation relates to the handling, treatment and disposal of wastes in the Hong Kong SAR and has been used in assessing potential impacts:

· Waste Disposal Ordinance (Cap. 354)

· Waste Disposal (Chemical Waste) (General) Regulation (Cap. 354)

· Land (Miscellaneous Provisions) Ordinance (Cap. 28)

· Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance (Cap. 132) - Public Cleansing and Prevention of Nuisances Regulation

Waste Management

6.2.3 The Waste Disposal Ordinance (WDO) prohibits the unauthorised disposal of wastes. Construction waste is defined as any substance, matter or thing that is generated from construction work and abandoned, whether or not it has been processed or stockpiled before being abandoned, but does not include any sludge, screenings or matter removed in or generated from any desludging, desilting or dredging works. Under the WDO, wastes can be disposed of only at designated waste disposal facilities.

6.2.4 Under the WDO, the Chemical Waste (General) Regulation 1992 provides regulations for chemical waste control, and administers the possession, storage, collection, transport and disposal of chemical wastes. The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) has also issued a guideline document, the Code of Practice on the Packaging, Labelling and Storage of Chemical Wastes (1992), which details how the Contractor should comply with the regulations on chemical wastes.

6.2.5 The Public Cleansing and Prevention of Nuisances Regulation provides control on illegal tipping of wastes on unauthorised (unlicensed) sites.

Chemical Waste

6.2.6 Under the Waste Disposal (Chemical Waste) (General) Regulations, all producers of chemical waste must register with EPD and treat their wastes, either utilising on-site plant licensed by EPD, or arranging for a licensed collector to transport the wastes to a licensed facility. The regulation also prescribes the storage facilities to be provided on site, including labelling and warning signs, and requires the preparation of written procedures and training to deal with emergencies such as spillages, leakages or accidents arising from the storage of chemical wastes.

Construction and Demolition (C&D) Materials

6.2.7 The current policy related to the disposal of C&D material is documented in the Works Branch Technical Circular No. 2/93, ‘Public Dumps’. Construction and demolition materials that are wholly inert, namely public fill, should not be disposed of to landfill, but taken to public filling areas, which usually form part of reclamation schemes. The Land (Miscellaneous Provisions) Ordinance requires that dumping licences be obtained by individuals or companies who deliver public fill to public filling areas. The Civil Engineering & Development Department (CEDD) issues the licences under delegated powers from the Director of Lands.

6.2.8 Under the Waste Disposal (Charges for Disposal of Construction Waste) Regulation, enacted in January 2006, construction waste delivered to a landfill for disposal must not contain more than 50% by weight of inert material. Construction waste delivered to a sorting facility for disposal must contain more than 50% by weight of inert material, and construction waste delivered to a public fill reception facility for disposal must consist entirely of inert material.

6.2.9 Measures have been introduced under Environment, Transport and Works Bureau (ETWB) TCW No. 33/2002, “Management of Construction and Demolition Material Including Rock” to enhance the management of construction and demolition material, and to minimize its generation at source. The enhancement measures include: (i) drawing up a Construction and Demolition Material Management Plan (C&DMMP) at the feasibility study or preliminary design stage to minimize C&D material generation and encourage proper management of such material; (ii) vetting of the C&DMMP prior to upgrading of the project to Category A in the Public Works Programme; and (iii) providing the contractor with information from the C&DMMP in order to facilitate him in the preparation of the Waste Management Plan (WMP) and to minimize C&D material generation during construction. Projects generating C&D material less than 50,000m³ or importing fill material less than 50,000m³ are exempt from the C&DMMP. The new ETWB TCW No. 19/2005 “Environmental Management on Construction Sites” includes procedures on waste management requiring contractors to reduce the C&D material to be disposed of during the course of construction. Under ETWB TCW No. 19/2005, the Contractor is required to prepare and implement an Environmental Management Plan (EMP) and the WMP becomes part of the EMP.

6.3 Assessment Methodology

General

6.3.1 The criteria for assessing waste management implications are outlined in Annex 7 of the EIAO-TM. The methods for assessing potential waste management impacts during the construction phase follow those presented in Annex 15 of the EIAO-TM and include the following:

· Estimation of the types and quantities of the wastes generated.

· Assessment of potential impacts from the management of solid waste with respect to potential hazards, air and odour emissions, noise, wastewater discharge and transport.

· Assessment of impacts on the capacity of waste collection, transfer and disposal facilities.

6.4 Identification of Potential Sources of Impact

6.4.1 The construction activities to be carried out for the proposed Project would generate a variety of wastes that can be divided into distinct categories based on their composition and ultimate method of disposal. The identified waste types include:

· C&D material

· Chemical waste

· General refuse

6.4.2 Another identified waste type within the project area is floating refuse. It should be noted that floating refuse in Victoria Harbour is an existing waste and the Project itself is not designed to generate floating refuse. Since the project area is in the vicinity or within Victoria Harbour, some refuse and debris may be unintentionally brought from the site into the harbour during heavy rains or typhoons. Nevertheless, it is considered that the quantity of floating refuse generated from this situation would be limited.

6.4.3 During the operational phase, it is expected that no waste would be generated from the DP2.

6.4.4 Each type of waste arising is described below, together with an evaluation of the potential environmental impacts associated with the generation, handling, storage and transport of the waste.

6.5 Prediction and Evaluation of Environmental Impacts

Construction and Demolition Materials

6.5.1 Demolition material will be generated from the removal of the Wan Chai ferry piers, Expo Drive East ferry pier, west and east bridges at the HKCEC. Based on the preliminary construction programme, the demolition of the existing ferry piers is scheduled to take place in early 2011. The demolition of the west and east bridges at the HKCEC is scheduled to take place between mid 2010 and late 2011, respectively. The estimated volume of demolition material from removal of the Wan Chai ferry piers, Expo Drive East ferry pier, the west and east bridges at the HKCEC and seawall structures is approximately 0.058 Mm³.

6.5.2 The amount of C&D material expected to be generated will be quantified in the site Waste Management Plan to be prepared by the Contractor. Since the construction activities will be located near the waterfront, improper management of C&D materials may introduce debris and pollutants to the harbour waters, and mitigation measures will be required (refer to Section 6.6).

6.5.3 C&D material generated from the demolition works will be sorted on-site into public fill (which should be re-used on-site as far as possible) and C&D waste (which will require disposal to landfill). Demolition material will arise from the site clearance of the piers and highway structures as mentioned in section 6.5.1 and will comprise primarily concrete. It is assumed that approximately 95% of the C&D material will be public fill and the other will be C&D waste. Suitable (inert) material should be broken down to 250 mm in size for reuse as public fill in the WDII reclamation (for filling from +2.5 mPD to the formation level and use as surcharge). By reducing the quantity of C&D material requiring off-site disposal, the potential for environmental impacts from the transportation of material by road will also be reduced (such as noise impacts, possible congestion due to increased traffic flows, and dust and exhaust emissions from the haul vehicles). It is recommended that C&D material should be transported from the site by barge wherever possible to reduce impacts from road transportation. The disposal of surplus public fill by dump trunks would be considered as the last resort. It is estimated that approximately 0.058 Mm³ of demolition material comprising 0.055 Mm³ of public fill can be broken down to 250mm in size for re-use in the reclamation works and the other 0.003 Mm³ comprising C&D waste to be disposed to landfill.

Chemical Waste

6.5.4 The maintenance and servicing of construction plant and equipment may generate some chemical wastes such as cleaning fluids, solvents, lubrication oil and fuel. It is difficult to quantify the amount of chemical waste that will arise from the construction activities since it will be dependent on the Contractor’s on-site maintenance requirements and the amount of plant utilised. However, it is anticipated that the quantity of chemical waste, such as lubricating oil and solvent produced from plant maintenance, would be small and in the order of a few cubic metres per month. The amount of chemical waste to be generated will be quantified in the site Waste Management Plan to be prepared by the Contractor.

6.5.5 Chemical wastes arising during the construction phase may pose environmental, health and safety hazards if not stored and disposed of in an appropriate manner as stipulated in the Waste Disposal (Chemical Waste) (General) Regulations. The potential hazards include:

· Toxic effects to workers

· Adverse impacts on water quality from spills

· Fire hazards

6.5.6 Materials classified as chemical wastes will require special handling and storage arrangements before removal for appropriate treatment at the Chemical Waste Treatment Facility (CWTF) or other licensed facility. Wherever possible opportunities should be taken to reuse and recycle materials. Mitigation and control requirements for chemical wastes are detailed in Section 6.6. Provided that the handling, storage and disposal of chemical wastes are in accordance with these requirements, adverse environmental impacts would not be expected to result.

General Refuse

6.5.7 The construction workforce would generate general refuse comprising food scraps, waste paper, empty containers, etc. As the introduction of these wastes is likely to have detrimental effects on water quality in the area, such refuse should be properly managed so intentional or accidental release to the surrounding environment does not occur. Disposal of refuse at sites other than approved waste transfer or disposal facilities shall be prohibited. Effective collection of site wastes would be required to prevent waste materials being blown around by wind, flushed or leached into the marine environment, or creating an odour nuisance. The waste storage area should be well maintained and cleaned regularly so as to prevent from attracting pests and vermin to the work sites.

6.5.8 The maximum number of construction workers to be employed is estimated to be about 450 workers. Based on a generation rate of 0.65 kg per worker per day, the maximum daily arising of general refuse during the construction period would be approximately 293 kg. With the implementation of waste management practices at the site (as recommended in Section 6.6), adverse environmental impacts would not be expected from the storage, handling and transportation of refuse.

Floating Refuse

6.5.9 Floating refuse in Victoria Harbour is an existing waste. The record of floating refuse collected by Marine Department’s contractor within the project area is shown in Table 6.5 below. The data indicates a decreasing trend in the quantity of floating refuse collected. During the reporting period, approximately 31% to 42% of the refuse within the project area was collected within the Causeway Bay Typhoon Shelter. The quantity of floating refuse collected was higher in the summer months which may be attributed to the heavy rains and typhoons bringing more refuse into the harbour. In the summer, the wind direction is from the south-west which also brings more refuse into the harbour.

6.5.10 Floating refuse, if not collected, may drift along the waterfront, which may create aesthetic impact. In view of the project design, the Project itself is not designed to generate floating refuse. Considering that the project area is in the vicinity or within Victoria Harbour, some refuse and debris may be unintentionally brought from the site into the harbour during heavy rains or typhoons. However, it is expected that the quantity of floating refuse generated from this situation would be limited. Given that the proposed reclamation is designed with streamlined shoreline, the potential floating refuse problem would be minimized. Furthermore, with the implementation of the control measures in Section 6.6, the accumulation of floating refuse within the temporary embayment formed between the HKCEC extension and the CRIII site during construction phase would be avoided/minimized. Since the Project would not worsen the shoreline configuration and the implementation of appropriate control measures during construction phase, it is considered that the future quantity of refuse to be found along the shoreline would be similar if not better than the existing situation.

6.5.11 Specialised refuse collection vessels currently operate in Victoria Harbour to provide a refuse scavenging and collection service under the responsibility of the Pollution Control Unit of Marine Department (MD). During the construction phase, the project proponent’s contractor will be responsible for the collection of any refuse within their works area. With the implementation of the refuse collection system properly within the project area, no insurmountable environmental impact with regard to floating refuse would be anticipated during the construction phase, or after completion of the Project.

^{Table 6.5 Record of Floating Refuse Collected within the Project Area}

Area	Jul 05	Aug 05	Sep 05	Oct 05	Nov 05	Dec 05	Jan 06	Feb 06	Mar 06	Apr 06	May 06	Jun 06	Jul 06	Aug 06	Sep 06	Oct 06
Project Area excluding Causeway Bay T/S	45.9	31.1	30.5	26.1	23.6	26.6	25.9	23.9	25.3	24.4	25.0	26.9	32.0	31.8	24.3	24.2
Causeway Bay T/S	27.4	21.8	14.8	19.0	12.8	15.5	12.3	11.0	14.8	12.3	11.4	15.8	18.5	15.6	17.4	14.6
TOTAL	73.3	52.9	45.3	45.1	36.4	42.1	38.2	34.9	40.1	36.7	36.4	42.7	50.5	47.4	41.7	38.8

Notes:

1. Project Area: Starts from the shoreline immediately to the west of the HKCEC and extends in an easterly direction along the shoreline to the North Point waterfront.

2. The above quantity represents the floating refuse collection by MD’s contractor Kai Fat Harbour Cleaning Services Ltd.

3. The above quantity is on a monthly basis and in units of tonnes.

4. T/S = Typhoon Shelter

6.6 Mitigation Measures

Good Site Practices

6.6.1 Adverse impacts related to waste management are not expected to arise, provided that good site practices are strictly followed. Recommendations for good site practices during the construction activities include:

· Nomination of an approved person, such as a site manager, to be responsible for good site practices, arrangements for collection and effective disposal to an appropriate facility, of all wastes generated at the site.

· Training of site personnel in proper waste management and chemical waste handling procedures.

· Provision of sufficient waste disposal points and regular collection for disposal.

· Appropriate measures to minimise windblown litter and dust during transportation of waste by either covering trucks or by transporting wastes in enclosed containers.

· Regular cleaning and maintenance programme for drainage systems, sumps and oil interceptors.

· A recording system for the amount of wastes generated, recycled and disposed of (including the disposal sites).

Waste Reduction Measures

6.6.2 Good management and control can prevent the generation of a significant amount of waste. Waste reduction is best achieved at the planning and design stage, as well as by ensuring the implementation of good site practices. Recommendations to achieve waste reduction include:

· Sort C&D waste from demolition of the existing waterfront structures to recover recyclable portions such as metals.

· Segregation and storage of different types of waste in different containers, skips or stockpiles to enhance reuse or recycling of materials and their proper disposal.

· Encourage collection of aluminium cans, PET bottles and paper by providing separate labelled bins to enable these wastes to be segregated from other general refuse generated by the work force.

· Any unused chemicals or those with remaining functional capacity shall be recycled.

· Use of reusable non-timber formwork, such as in casting the tunnel box sections, to reduce the amount of C&D material.

· Proper storage and site practices to minimise the potential for damage or contamination of construction materials.

· Plan and stock construction materials carefully to minimise amount of waste generated and avoid unnecessary generation of waste.

6.6.3 In addition to the above measures, specific mitigation measures are recommended below for the identified waste arisings to minimise environmental impacts during handling, transportation and disposal of these wastes.

General Refuse

6.6.4 General refuse should be stored in enclosed bins or compaction units separate from C&D material. A licensed waste collector should be employed by the contractor to remove general refuse from the site, separately from C&D material. Preferably an enclosed and covered area should be provided to reduce the occurrence of 'wind blown' light material.

Chemical Wastes

6.6.5 After use, chemical wastes (for example, cleaning fluids, solvents, lubrication oil and fuel) should be handled according to the Code of Practice on the Packaging, Labelling and Storage of Chemical Wastes. Spent chemicals should be collected by a licensed collector for disposal at the CWTF or other licensed facility, in accordance with the Waste Disposal (Chemical Waste) (General) Regulation.

Construction and Demolition Material

6.6.6 The C&D material should be sorted on-site into inert C&D material (that is, public fill) and C&D waste. Considering that a large quantity of C&D material will be generated from the demolition works and in order to minimise the impact resulting from collection and transportation of material for off-site disposal, it is recommended that the inert C&D material should be re-used on-site in the reclamation works as far as practicable. All the suitable (inert) material should be broken down to 250 mm in size for reuse as public fill and surcharge in the WDII reclamation. C&D waste, such as wood, glass, plastic, steel and other metals should be reused or recycled and, as a last resort, disposed of to landfill. It is recommended that a suitable area be designated to facilitate the sorting process and a temporary stockpiling area will be required for the separated materials.

6.6.7 In order to monitor the disposal of public fill and C&D waste at public filling facilities and landfills, respectively, and to control fly tipping, a trip-ticket system should be included as one of the contractual requirements and implemented by an Environmental Team undertaking the Environmental Monitoring and Audit work. An Independent Environmental Checker should be responsible for auditing the results of the system.

6.6.8 Table 6.6 provides a summary of the various waste types likely to be generated during the construction phase, together with the recommended handling and disposal methods.

^{Table 6.6 Summary of Waste Handling Procedures and Disposal Routes}

Waste Type	Generated from Works Item	Total Quantity Generated	Quantity to be disposed off-site / re-used	Handling	Disposal
C&D Material	Demolition of waterfront structures	0.058 Mm^3	0.055 Mm^3 of inert C&D material (public fill) to be re-used 0.003 Mm^3 of C&D waste to landfill	Sort on-site into : · Inert C&D material (public fill) · C&D waste	Suitable material broken down to 250 mm in size for reuse as public fill and reuse of removed temporary reclamation in WDII reclamation (approx. 0.055 Mm^3 of inert C&D material, i.e. public fill) To be disposed to landfill (approx. 0.003 Mm^3)
Chemical Wastes	Cleansing fluids, solvent, lubrication oil and fuel from construction plant and equipment	Few cubic metres per month (preliminary estimate)	Few cubic metres per month (preliminary estimate)	Recycle on-site or by licensed companies Stored on-site within suitably designed containers	Chemical Waste Treatment Facility or other licensed facility
General Refuse	Waste paper, discarded containers, etc. generated from workforce	approx. 293 kg per day (preliminary estimate based on workforce of 450)	approx. 293 kg per day	Provide on-site refuse collection points	Refuse station for compaction and containerisation and then to landfill

6.7 Evaluation of Residual Impacts

6.7.1 With the implementation of the recommended mitigation measures for the handling, transportation and disposal of the identified waste arisings, no adverse residual impact is expected to arise during the construction of the proposed Project.

6.8 Environmental Audit

6.8.1 Waste management will be the contractor’s responsibility to ensure that all wastes produced during the construction of the Project are handled, stored and disposed of in accordance with good waste management practices and EPD’s regulations and requirements. The mitigation measures recommended in Section 6.6 should form the basis of the site Waste Management Plan to be developed by the Contractor in the construction stage.

6.9 Conclusion

6.9.1 Wastes generated by the construction activities will include C&D material (including excavated material and demolition material), general refuse from the workforce and chemical waste from the maintenance of construction plant and equipment. C&D material with suitable characteristics would be reused on-site as far as practicable (approximately 0.055 Mm³). Surplus material would require disposal to landfill (approximately 0.003 Mm³). By reducing the quantity of C&D material requiring off-site disposal, the potential impacts from the transportation of material by road will be reduced (such as noise impacts, possible congestion due to increased traffic flows, and dust and exhaust emissions from the haul vehicles). Provided that these identified waste arisings are handled, transported and disposed of using approved methods and that recommended good site practice are strictly followed, adverse environmental impacts of air and odour emissions, noise, potential hazards, wastewater discharge and transport would not be expected during the construction phase.

6.9.2 Floating refuse is an existing waste and the Project itself is not designed to generate floating refuse. Owing to the project area in close proximity to or within Victoria Harbour, limited amount of refuse and debris may be unintentionally brought from the site into the harbour during heavy rains or typhoons. Given that the Project would not worsen the shoreline configuration and the implementation of appropriate control measures during construction phase, it is considered that the future quantity of refuse to be found along the shoreline would be similar if not better than the existing situation.

6.9.3 With the implementation of the refuse collection system properly within the project area, no insurmountable environmental impact with regard to floating refuse would be anticipated during the construction phase, or after completion of the Project.