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Press
Releases - 2000
EPD
commissions study on waste disposal facilities
The Environmental
Protection Department (EPD) today (Tuesday) commissioned a
study to expand landfill capacities and search for sites for
new waste disposal facilities in Hong Kong.
The job
was awarded to Scott Wilson (Hong Kong) Limited at a cost
of $3.4 million. It will take 15 months to complete.
Speaking
during the agreement signing ceremony, the Assistant Director
of Environmental Protection (Waste Facilities), Mr John Rockey,
said the landfills took in a total of 18,000 tonnes of waste
a day.
If the
present trend of waste increase continues, the landfills will
be filled up in 10 to 15 years.
"It is
time for us to explore various possible ways to increase the
filling capacities of our existing landfills so that they
can last longer.
"At the
same time, we have to start planning for new waste disposal
facilities to meet the future need," Mr Rockey said.
He pointed
out that the study was only part of what the EPD were going
to do to deal with the waste issue.
"A more
important sustainable approach is to reduce the quantity of
waste brought to the landfills for disposal, primarily by
reducing the quantity of waste generated and encouraging the
reuse and recycling of waste," he noted.
The Government
is currently implementing various measures of the Waste Reduction
Framework Plan announced in 1998.
These
measures include publicity and education campaigns, waste
separation plans, land allocation schemes and study on waste-to-energy
incineration facilities.
A Waste
Reduction Committee and six sectoral task forces have been
established to develop and promote waste reduction initiatives.
In parallel
with the above waste reduction measures, the Government is
looking into the introduction of the landfill charging scheme
as a financial incentive for waste reduction and recycling.
"Consultation
with the concerned parties on details of the scheme is now
in progress," Mr Rockey noted.
End/Tuesday,
February 1, 2000
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