Problems & Solutions

Equipment Requirements for Refuse Collection Vehicles introduced by the Amendment to CAP 354L Waste Disposal (Designated Waste Disposal Facility) Regulation

The Amendment to CAP 354L Waste Disposal (Designated Waste Disposal Facility) Regulation (“the Amendment Regulation”) was passed by the LegCo on 22 January 2014. The legislative amendment concerning equipment requirements on refuse collection vehicles (RCVs) commences operation on 1 April 2015. The amendment related to the equipment requirements includes:


  1. RCVs (Figure 1) entering landfills or refuse transfer stations must be equipped with (A) a metal tailgate cover and (B) a waste water sump tank. The tailgate cover and the waste water sump tank must be suitably constructed and in good working condition.
  2. The Director of Environmental Protection is empowered to examine a RCV within or entering or leaving a designated waste disposal facility to check whether the RCV meets the above equipment requirements.
  3. RCV driver or his employer contravening the above equipment requirements is liable to a maximum fine of $100,000.

    Figure 1 A refuse collection vehicle is in general a medium or heavy goods vehicle which is equipped with a loading device to load garbage from collection bins and a rear compactor to reduce waste volume.
    Figure 1 A refuse collection vehicle is in general a medium or heavy goods vehicle which is equipped with a loading device to load garbage from collection bins and a rear compactor to reduce waste volume.


Please refer to the following “Guidelines on the Design and Construction of Metal Tailgate Cover and Waste Water Sump Tank installed on Refuse Collection Vehicle” for guidance on the design and construction of the equipment to meet the requirements in the Amendment Regulation.

Guidelines on the Design and Construction of Metal Tailgate Cover and Waste Water Sump Tank installed on Refuse Collection Vehicle

Metal Tailgate Cover

  1. The hopper and the compactor on the refuse collection vehicle (RCV) shall be enclosed by the metal tailgate cover to effectively mitigate the spread of odour.
    The hopper and the compactor on the refuse collection vehicle (RCV) shall be enclosed by the metal tailgate cover to effectively mitigate the spread of odour.
    The hopper and the compactor on the refuse collection vehicle (RCV) shall be enclosed by the metal tailgate cover to effectively mitigate the spread of odour.
  2. The tailgate cover shall be made of metal (e.g. aluminium or aluminium alloy) with sufficient thickness and suitable for application in the corrosive environment during refuse collection operations.
  3. The opening and closing of the metal tailgate cover shall be powered by pneumatic or hydraulic or electric system.
  4. If there is an opening on the roof of the tailgate, a cover made of durable material shall be installed to effectively cover it.
    If there is an opening on the roof of the tailgate, a cover made of durable material shall be installed to effectively cover it.
    If there is an opening on the roof of the tailgate, a cover made of durable material shall be installed to effectively cover it.
  5. If for safety and noise reduction reasons, a flexible plastic strip has to be installed at the bottom of the tailgate cover, the height of the flexible plastic strip shall be less than 18 centimetres.
    If for safety and noise reduction reasons, a flexible plastic strip has to be installed at the bottom of the tailgate cover, the height of the flexible plastic strip shall be less than 18 centimetres.
  6. The metal tailgate cover shall not block or cover the warning light on the roof of the vehicle.
  7. If control of metal tailgate cover is available in the driver cab, the control shall only allow activation of the opening (but not closing) of the metal tailgate cover.
  8. The surface of metal tailgate cover shall be non-reflective.

    Waste Water Sump Tank
    Waste Water Sump Tank
    Waste Water Sump Tank
  9. Waste water sump tank shall be able to collect and store leachate discharged from the body, the compactor and the hopper unit. The tank should be completed with anti-spillage cover plate to prevent spillage of waste water during parking and travelling.
    Waste water sump tank shall be able to collect and store leachate discharged from the body, the compactor and the hopper unit. The tank should be completed with anti-spillage cover plate to prevent spillage of waste water during parking and travelling.
    Waste water sump tank shall be able to collect and store leachate discharged from the body, the compactor and the hopper unit. The tank should be completed with anti-spillage cover plate to prevent spillage of waste water during parking and travelling.
  10. The size of waste water sump tank shall be of a capacity not less than: -
    a. 100 litres for RCVs with Permitted Gross Vehicle Weight below 16 tonnes
    b. 120 litres for RCVs with Permitted Gross Vehicle Weight of 16 tonnes and above, but below 24 tonnes
    c. 150 litres for RCVs with Permitted Gross Vehicle Weight of 24 tonnes and above
  11. The waste water sump tank shall be made of anti-corrosive material of appropriate thickness (e.g. galvanized steel or stainless steel) and suitable for application in the corrosive environment during refuse collection operations.
  12. No foul liquid shall leak from the waste water sump tank. The sump tank shall have an opening for internal cleaning purpose. The door of the opening shall be equipped with proper sealing design (e.g. gasket) to prevent the leakage of foul liquid when it is closed. If the sump tank has a drain valve, the drain valve shall not leak foul liquid when it is closed.
    No foul liquid shall leak from the waste water sump tank. The sump tank shall have an opening for internal cleaning purpose. The door of the opening shall be equipped with proper sealing design (e.g. gasket) to prevent the leakage of foul liquid when it is closed. If the sump tank has a drain valve, the drain valve shall not leak foul liquid when it is closed.
     

 

 

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