Press
Release
Vessel masters convicted for exporting hazardous waste
Two vessel masters were convicted today (September 22) and yesterday
(September 21) respectively for exporting computer monitors without
a permit.
They were sentenced
to two months' imprisonment, suspended for two years, and ordered
to pay a fine of $5,000 and $10,000 respectively.
The vessel master
ordered to pay the lower fine was convicted today for exporting
about 2 800 computer monitors with cathode ray tubes while the other
vessel master was convicted yesterday for exporting about 1 900
such computer monitors.
The two concerned
vessels were intercepted by the Marine Police in the past two weeks
when they were heading for the Mainland.
A spokesman for the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) noted
that the EPD had been working closely with the Marine Police and
the Customs and Excise Department to curb illegal movements of hazardous
electronic waste (e-waste).
Waste computer
monitors are considered hazardous waste internationally as they
contain lead and other substances that are hazardous to human health
and the environment.
Transboundary
movements of hazardous waste are subject to the control by the Basal
Convention.
Waste computer
monitors with cathode ray tubes are hazardous waste listed in the
Seventh Schedule of the Waste Disposal Ordinance (WDO).
Import or export
of such waste without a permit is an offence under the WDO. Offenders
are liable to a maximum fine of $200,000 and six months' imprisonment
upon conviction for the first time, and a maximum fine of $500,000
and two years' imprisonment for the subsequent offence.
"As the Mainland does not normally allow import of waste computer
monitors, the practice of the EPD is not to grant any such permit
unless prior consent has been obtained from the Competent Authority
of the Mainland," the spokesman stressed.
The EPD is determined
to curb illegal import and export of hazardous e-waste. To strengthen
control, the EPD has recently written to all its overseas partners
of the Basal Convention reiterating the need to work together to
stop illegal movements of hazardous e-waste into and out of Hong
Kong.
Local enforcement
against such illegal movements has been stepped up by the EPD, the
Marine Police and the Customs and Excise Department since early
this year.
Meanwhile, the
Government has not lost sight of the control of other types of hazardous
waste. A shipment of waste car batteries was intercepted by the
Marine Police earlier this month and investigation is being carried
out.
In the first
eight months of 2004, 66 suspected shipments of hazardous e-waste
were intercepted. Seventeen prosecutions were initiated while other
cases are under investigation.
End/Wednesday,
September 22, 2004
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