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Press
Release
Programme
launched to recycle mobile phone batteries
A first pilot programme
was launched today (April 13) under a voluntary product responsibility
scheme to recover and recycle mobile phone batteries.
A spokesman for
the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) said: "The
12-month pilot programme is organised and funded by the mobile
phone industry."
Developing product
responsibility schemes is one of the seven major initiatives
on the prevention and recycling of domestic waste announced
by the Government last September.
"Under such
schemes, producers play a major role in the management of
their end-of-life products.
"The Government
acts as a facilitator and helps promote public participation.
"Consumers
also have a role to play by returning their end-of-life products
for recovery," the spokesman noted.
A specially designed
bin for recovering mobile phone batteries will be placed at
75 collection points set up in the shops of the co-organisers
of the programme in busy districts including Central, Causeway
Bay, Mong Kok, Sha Tin and Tsuen Wan.
The batteries recovered
will be sorted and shipped to a facility overseas for recycling.
Cobalt, nickel and other metals in the batteries can be recovered
during the recycling process.
"With about
5.7 million mobile phone subscribers in Hong Kong as at January
2002, the number of used mobile phone batteries disposed of
at the existing three landfills is considerable.
"Recycling
mobile phone batteries helps reduce waste and conserve natural
resources," the spokesman said.
The mobile phone
industry recognised the environmental benefits of recycling
mobile phone batteries and pursued the idea through setting
up a working group.
The working group
consists of eight mobile phone battery manufacturers, eight
network service providers and distributors, the Consumer Council,
the EPD and the Office of the Telecommunications Authority
under the chairmanship of the Internet and Telecom Association
of Hong Kong (ITAHK).
It will monitor
the results of the pilot programme and decide on the long-term
arrangements.
Details of the
collection points are available from the website at http://www.info.gov.hk/epd.
The public can call 2755 2750 for enquiries on the programme.
The launching ceremony
was held at New Town Plaza in Sha Tin. Officiating guests
included the Secretary for the Environment and Food, Mrs Lily
Yam; the Chairman of the ITAHK, Mr Tony Hau; and representatives
of all co-organisers.
End/Saturday, April
13, 2002
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