|
Press
Releases - 1997 (July - December)
Illegal
waste returned to Australia
The Environmental
Protection Department (EPD) today (Monday) announced that
the three containers of potentially hazardous waste, which
arrived in Hong Kong last month from Australia without a permit,
are being returned to the country of export.
The return
of the waste to Sydney has been agreed with the Australia
Authority, and EPD will continue to liaise with them on the
investigation and enforcement action of any further illegal
waste shipments, an EPD spokesman said.
The three
containers of computer scrap were detained on September 22,
and EPD officers found some potentially hazardous electrical
components which are subject to control under the Waste Disposal
Ordinance (WDO).
"A significant
quantity of scrap computer monitors containing cathode ray
tubes were found in the containers. As cathode ray tubes are
potentially hazardous, transshipment of such waste through
Hong Kong requires a permit issued by EPD.
"Since
no permit has been sought or issued in this case, enforcement
action will be taken against the importer and the illegal
waste must be returned to the country of export", he said.
The spokesman
explained that computer scrap, such as printed circuit boards,
cable, metal or plastic frames, is not classified as hazardous
waste internationally and such waste can be recycled to aid
resource conservation.
However,
cathode ray tubes are potentially hazardous and are classified
as controlled waste under both local legislation and the Basel
Convention, an international agreement on the control of transboundary
movement of hazardous wastes and their disposal.
Under
the WDO, any person who imports, exports or arranges the transshipment
of hazardous or non-recyclable waste in Hong Kong without
a permit issued by EPD will be liable to a maximum fine of
$200,000 and six months' imprisonment upon first conviction.
Hong Kong's
legislation fully complies with the spirit and requirements
of the Basel Convention, which requires prior notification
on the movement of controlled waste to be given by the exporting
authority to the importing authority, the spokesman said.
End/Monday,
October 13, 1997
|
