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Press
Releases - 1998
EPD
exploring outlets for waste paper
The Environmental
Protection Department is exploring both local and overseas
outlets for recyclable waste paper in an effort to help paper
recovery programmes and campaigns affected by the recent closure
of a major paper recycling company.
Principal
Environmental Protection Officer Dr Mamie Lau said Concordia
Paper Limited consumed 14,000 tonnes monthly, about 24 per
cent, of locally collected waste paper, and in the short term
its closure might have some effect to the outlet of the waste
paper collected.
"We are
now contacting local recycling companies to explore whether
they could absorb the recycling share by Concordia and also
waste paper collection companies for exporting more waste
paper overseas.
"If paper
recovery programme and campaign organisers have difficulties
in finding outlets for the paper recovered, they can contact
EPD for assistance," she said.
On the
future development of local recycling industry, Dr Lau said
that the Government was working to establish more sustainable
outlets, both locally and overseas, and would continue to
explore more measures to help the local recycling industry.
She said
the Government had already implemented a number of measures
to assist the recycling industry.
"As the
recycling business has a rather low profit margin, and land
cost in Hong Kong is comparatively high, suitable sites are
leased exclusively to the recycling industry at an affordable
rent.
"The
Government has initiated material recovery projects to provide
assistance in the collection, storage and transportation of
recyclable to recyclers," she said.
Dr Lau
said the Government would also consider other financial incentives
to promote recycling activities.
Organisers
of paper recovery programmes and campaigns can contact Senior
Environmental Protection Officer Mr Lam Cheuk-fung on 2872
1701 for assistance.
End/Monday,
November 23, 1998
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