Tighter control on imported non-hazardous waste disposal

Press Release

Tighter control on imported non-hazardous waste disposal

The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) proposes to prescribe a new application fee for those wanting authorisation to dispose of imported non-hazardous waste under section 20DA of the Waste Disposal Ordinance.

An EPD spokesman said today (January 25) that the new application fee as set out in the Waste Disposal (Permits and Licences)(Fees)(Amendment) Regulation 2008 was part of a move to tighten controls on the disposal of imported non-hazardous waste. The new fee will take effect on April 1.

Under the new control regime, any person who intends to dispose of any imported non-hazardous waste at the designated waste disposal facilities, such as landfills, must apply for authorisation from the Director of Environmental Protection.

An application for authorisation will be accompanied by a fee, which is set at $11,250, to cover the full administrative cost of processing the application. The applicant has also to bear the full cost of waste disposal at the department's waste facilities if authorisation is given.

"Authorisation will not normally be granted unless the applicant can prove that the waste was originally imported for recycling and he has exhausted all possible recycling outlets and all means to return the waste to its place of origin," the spokesman said.

Any person who disposes of imported non-hazardous waste without authorisation is committing an offence and is liable to a fine of $200,000 and six months' imprisonment on the first conviction. A second and subsequent conviction could mean a fine of $500,000 and two years' imprisonment.

"With the stringent conditions imposed for granting authorisation, the new measure will help deter deliberate import of unwanted waste into Hong Kong for disposal under the guise of recycling, and conserve our valuable landfill capacity," the spokesman said.

After gazettal today, the amendment regulation will be tabled at the Legislative Council next Wednesday (January 30).


Ends/Friday, January 25, 2008