|
Press Release
First shipment of rechargeable batteries under EPD's recycling programme
The first batch of rechargeable batteries recovered under a voluntary producer responsibility scheme jointly organised by the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) and the battery trade will be shipped to a designated treatment facility in South Korea for recycling.
Speaking at the Shipping Ceremony of the Rechargeable Battery Recycling Programme today (April 11), the Acting Permanent Secretary for the Environment, Transport and Works (Environment), Dr Michael Chiu Tak-lun, said he was pleased with the five per cent recovery rate recorded for the first year of the programme.
"Normally, the recovery rate was two to three per cent for similar voluntary battery recycling programmes in other places," he said.
"However, we are not complacent with what we have achieved. We will continue to work with the trade to step up publicity and to encourage more public participation in the programme," Dr Chiu added.
Launched in April 2005, the Rechargeable Battery Recycling Programme was funded by 34 manufacturers and importers of rechargeable batteries and electronic equipment as a voluntary producer responsibility scheme of the trade.
Since the launch, about 13 tonnes of rechargeable batteries (equivalent to 320 000 pieces) have been collected, of which 40 per cent were recovered from industrial and commercial sectors.
Cobalt, nickel, cadmium and other metals will be recovered from the batteries during the recycling process and sold for reuse as stainless steel materials, magnetic alloy and cadmium battery materials.
"It is encouraging to see that six companies - Fujitsu PC Asia Pacific Ltd, Hilti (Hong Kong) Ltd, Jebsen & Co Ltd, Lenovo (Hong Kong) Ltd, Longman Hong Kong Education and Nikon Hong Kong Ltd - have agreed to join the programme this year," Dr Chiu said.
Dr Chiu took the opportunity to thank all the companies who have allowed their shops and stations to be used as a collection point for the programme, saying that the total number of collection points was more than 440 and the collection network was now very convenient for the public to return their used rechargeable batteries.
Participants of the programme include all FORTRESS, MTR stations, SUNDAY, Watsons Your Personal Stores; and selected Shell stations, KCR stations, Wellcome, 7-Eleven and shops of organising companies.
Collection points are also set up in more than 750 housing estates covering 51 per cent of the population, some 140 commercial/industrial buildings and about 160 schools.
Locations of these collection points are available at EPD's website at www.epd.gov.hk. Members of the public can call 2838 3111 for details of the recycling programme.
Ends/Tuesday, April 11, 2006
| 
