| |
The Programme on Source Separation
of Domestic Waste was launched in January 2005 to address an urgent
environmental problem. Hong Kong's landfills will be full within
a few years and we are running out of land to build new ones. We
therefore need everyone in the community to help manage waste more
sustainably, by reducing, re-using and recycling waste.
The source separation programme seeks to make it as convenient as
possible for all of us to participate in waste recovery. It promotes
floor-based facilities where residents can conveniently drop off
their separated waste. It also broadens the types of recyclables
collected significantly so that more materials can be recycled or
re-used.
Our targets are ambitious. By 2010, we want 80% of the population
to participate in the source separation programme. Through source
separation and other measures contained in the "Policy Framework
for the Management of Municipal Solid Waste (2005-2014)" ,
we aim to increase domestic waste recovery rate from 16% in 2005
to 26% by 2012.
The initial results are encouraging. In just two years, we have
recruited 497 housing estates against a target of 470 for 2006 and
extended the Programme to cover 29% of the population. In 2006,
the domestic waste recovery rate has increased to 20%. At the same
time, domestic waste loads have also continued to drop, with a decrease
of 3% in 2006 when compared to 2005.
This year, we will appoint Ambassadors to the Programme to help
attract publicity. Announcements of Public Interest will be broadcast
on TV and electronic media. Advertisements will be placed on public
transport and in newspapers. Road shows will be organised in various
districts. Community groups will be recruited to approach estates
and encourage them to join the Programme. Private estates will continue
to be supported through the Environment and Conservation Fund. And
the Environmental Protection Department will continue to work with
the Buildings Department to explore the feasibility of requiring
new residential buildings to reserve floor space for refuse storage
and materials recovery.
Waste reduction is one of the easiest and most effective ways for
all of us to contribute to environmental protection. We need everyone
in the community to realise and support this.
|
|
