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Press
Releases - 2000
Greenpeace's
figures on waste recovery incorrect
A spokesman
for the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) said today
(May 16) that some of the figures given out by Greenpeace
on waste recovery in Hong Kong were incorrect.
Greenpeace
claimed that 58 000 people were sharing one set of recycling
bins in Hong Kong.
"In fact,
the Government has already provided one set of recycling bins
for every block in all 188 public housing estates and the
Environmental Campaign Committee has also sponsored recycling
bins to more than 100 private housing estates.
"Such
waste recovery and recycling programmes will also be extended
to another 100 private housing estates in the very near future,"
the spokesman noted.
Greenpeace
said only three per cent of the separated materials were collected
from recycling bins provided by the Food and Environmental
Hygiene Department in public areas such as bus stations and
playgrounds.
The spokesman
said: "It should be noted that most of the recyclable materials,
such as waste paper, aluminium cans and plastic bottles, are
in fact generated from households, offices and commercial
establishments and not on the streets."
As for
waste paper, 1.36 million tonnes were generated in 1999 and
not 660 000 tonnes as quoted by Greenpeace.
"The
recovery rate of waste paper was about 50 per cent in 1999
which was equivalent to 680 000 tonnes and not 160 000 tonnes
as quoted by Greenpeace.
"This
recovery rate is comparable with those of other developed
countries," the spokesman said.
The recovery
rate in Singapore and the USA in 1998 was 37 and 42 per cent
respectively. The recovery rate in Japan in 1997 was 53 per
cent.
"With
the active participation of all concerned parties, the Government
will be able to achieve the waste reduction target.
"For
a better appreciation of the waste recovery and recycling
situation in Hong Kong, Greenpeace is most welcome to contact
the EPD, other relevant government departments, the Environmental
Campaign Committee and those green groups which have done
a lot of good work to promote waste recycling for information
and further discussion," the spokesman added.
End/Tuesday,
May 16, 2000
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