Press
Release
Portable rechargeable batteries recycling programme launched
All types of portable rechargeable batteries can be recovered for recycling starting today (April 9) under a product responsibility scheme (PRS) strongly supported by producers and importers of rechargeable battery.
"The Rechargeable Batteries Recycling Programme is organised and funded by more than 30 producers and importers of rechargeable battery and electronic equipment," a spokesman for the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) said.
The programme is an extension to a trial launched in April 2002 to recover mobile phone batteries.
"The trial has demonstrated that rechargeable battery recycling is feasible and cost-effective," the spokesman said.
All types of portable rechargeable batteries including general purpose rechargeable batteries and batteries for mobile phones, cordless phones, notebook computers and digital camera, etc. are covered by the programme.
"Under this voluntary PRS, producers, importers, retailers and consumers share the responsibility in recovering rechargeable batteries for recycling.
"Participating companies provide funding and collection points for the programme.
"With the support from Friends of the Earth (FoE) and Green Power (GP), the Government acts as a coordinator of the programme.
"It also assumes an important role in promoting public awareness and participating.
"Consumers are encouraged to return used rechargeable batteries to collection points.
"This is a good example of tripartite collaboration of the trade, green groups and the Government in implementing the PRS to serve the community," the spokesman said.
Some 300 conveniently located collection points are set up in shops and stations of participating companies:
- all 54 shops of FORTESS;
- all 23 shops of SUNDAY;
- all 170 Watsons Your Personal Stores;
- Central, Chai Wan, Kwun Tong, Olympic and Po Lam MTR stations; Luk Yeung Galleria, Marinetime Square, Paradise Mall and Telford Plaza I and II of the Mass Transit Railway Corporation;
- 12 Shell stations; and
- 49 shops of organising companies; and .
- Wellcome and 7-ELEVEN will also set up collection points in their shops.
Collection points are also set up at some 540 housing estates and 83 commercial/industrial buildings covering some 45 per cent of the population in Hong Kong, 83 commercial/industrial buildings and 148 schools.
Locations of collection points are available at EPD website at www.epd.gov.hk. The public can also call 2838 3111 for enquiries about the programme.
Rechargeable batteries recovered will be sorted and shipped to a facility in Asia for recycling. Cobalt, nickel and other metals in the batteries will be recovered during the recycling process.
"It is estimated that some 200 to 300 tonnes of rechargeable batteries are disposed of at landfills each year. Recycling rechargeable batteries helps to reduce the environmental risk arising from the disposal of these batteries and conserve valuable natural resources," the spokesman said.
"The public are encouraged to use rechargeable batteries instead of single-use batteries as far as possible. Rechargeable batteries are more cost-effective as they can be reused for hundred of times. The quantity of battery waste can be reduced drastically if rechargeable batteries are used instead of single-use batteries.
"Furthermore, rechargeable batteries are more suitable for recycling," the spokesman added.
The spokesman noted that the rechargeable battery and electronic equipment industry recognised the environmental benefits of recycling rechargeable batteries.
In early 2004, a working group comprising representatives from the rechargeable battery and electronic equipment industry, the EPD, FoE and GP was set up to pursue a recycling programme for rechargeable batteries.
The working group will continue to monitor the performance of the programme.
The Launching Ceremony of the Rechargeable Batteries Recycling Programme was held at Olympian City 2. Officiating guests included the Secretary for the Environment, Transport and Works, Dr Sarah Liao, and the Director of Environmental Protection, Mr Keith Kwok and representatives of the participating companies and organisations.
End/Saturday, April 9, 2005
|
