Govt shelves pay-as-you-throw scheme

 

Under the shelved scheme, residents will have to buy govt-designated trash bags

The government has announced that it will not implement the proposed waste-charging scheme on August 1 as originally planned because of widespread opposition from residents.

The withdrawal of the bill was announced at the Legislative Council earlier today by Deputy Chief Secretary Warner Cheuk, who said the SAR government will gazette the cancellation of the date when the scheme is due to take effect.

Cheuk said environment chief Tse Chin-wan had recommended postponing the scheme, and this was accepted by Chief Executive John Lee.

The decision was said to have made in part because Hong Kong’s economic rebound has not been as good as expected.

TAWAG NA!

However, Cheuk said the government remained committed to improving waste management and recycling practices in Hong Kong, with authorities set to report back to Legco on its work on this by the middle of next year.

Cheuk said up to 80 percent of citizens have opposed the implementation of the scheme as scheduled, while a survey showed a majority did not think it was right to pay for their waste.

Under the scheme which had already been postponed twice in the past, residents will be required to buy the designated plastic bags or tags they must use for their garbage. Otherwise they must sort their garbage and dump them in one of the city’s recycling stations.

Another drawback to implementing the plan is the misconception that the government is trying to make money through waste-charging, and the government’s own realization that it would increase the workload and pressure on cleaners. 

But to pursue its objective of coming up with a more effective waste management, public housing tenants will be given 20 designated garbage bags per month starting June, so they get used to the practice of waste reduction and clean recycling.

In reaction, Friends of the Earth Hong Kong said it was “extremely disappointed” about the postponement of the waste charging scheme.

The group said the government must use this time to implement the scheme in phases, improve trash collection and recycling facilities, and expand its coverage to include government buildings, schools, civil servant quarters, sports centres, and shopping malls. 

PRESS FOR DETAILS