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Supporting Waste Reduction Targets
The SSW Programme supports two targets set by the Government in 2005 to reduce Hong Kong’s waste loads:
- To have 80% of people recover their waste for re-use and recycling by 2010 through source separation of domestic waste.
- To increase domestic waste recovery to 26% by 2012.
These and other waste reduction measures are described in the “A Policy Framework for the Management of Municipal Solid Waste (2005-2014)”. |
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The overall domestic waste recovery rate in Hong Kong has continued to increase since the Programme’s launch in 2005. By the end of 2008, 31% of domestic waste was recovered. Moreover, domestic waste loads dropped more than 4% in 2008 compared to 2007.
The SSW Programme has been a major contributor to the reduction of domestic waste in Hong Kong through its efforts to extend waste recovery facilities. By the end of 2008, 996 housing estates were enrolled in the programme against a target of 920, representing 3.7 million people or 53% of the population. |
Most of the participating housing estates reported impressive increases in waste recovery:
- 114 estates that set up waste separation facilities on each floor increased the quantity of recyclables recovered by 78%. They reported collecting an average of 8.0 kg of recyclables per household per month.
- 220 estates with expanded ground-level waste separation facilities increased collection by 72% and collected an average of 5.5 kg per household per month. This was achieved in part by expanding the range of recyclables collected.
- The improvements in waste recovery helped to reduce the quantity of waste requiring disposal by 10% at participating housing estates.
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* Note :
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The actual participation rate (by population) in 2008 was lower than targeted as newly recruited housing estates had a smaller than expected number of households. |
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* Note :
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Some 1,200 private housing estates and all 180 public housing estates will join by 2010 and 2012, respectively. In public housing estates, the Programme is coordinated by the Housing Department, Hong Kong Housing Authority and Hong Kong Housing Society. All government quarters under the Government Property Agency have now joined the Programme. |
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*Note: |
Based on 114 housing estates that have introduced waste collection on each floor. Prior to joining the Programme, collection facilities were at ground level and accepted only waste paper, aluminium cans and plastic bottles. These estates have also recorded reliable baseline data. |
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* Note : |
Based on 220 housing estates with waste collection facilities on the ground floor. Previously they collected only waste paper, aluminium cans and plastic bottles; they now collect a wider range of recyclables. These estates have also recorded reliable baseline data. |
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