Expenditure for waste charging scheme reaches HK$197m in four years

The expenditure for implementing and promoting the controversial pay-as-you-throw waste charging scheme has reached HK$197 million since year 2020/21, according to latest data released by the Environmental Protection Department, which plans to further spend some HK$581 million. 

Among the sum, some HK$121 million was spent in manufacturing the designated rubbish bags and advertising the scheme in year 2023/24. 

The department also estimated a total expenditure of about HK$581.3 million in year 2024/25 for the implementation of the scheme which has been postponed to August. 

The expenditure was about HK$20 million, HK$21.3 million and HK$34.8 million in year 2020/21, 2021/22 and 2022/23 respectively, according to a written reply to lawmakers’ questions by the government. 

It covered areas like conducting surveys and trial runs, providing dummy designated bags and designated labels, setting up solar-powered aluminum refuse collection points, and establishing a manufacturing, inventory and distribution system and a retail network for the rubbish bags and labels. 

The department said since relevant legislation was passed in late August 2021, the advertising materials have been broadcast on TV and radio about 4,000 times, on over 9,000 display monitors at public transport stations and on vehicles. 

The department also displayed about 4,000 promotional banners and posters at roadsides, government facilities, public rental housing estates and placed advertisements on about 100 mobile applications and websites relating to news and everyday matters. 

On a radio program on Tuesday, Tsuen Wan district councilor Koo Yeung-pong said over 100 residents of Moon Lok Dai Ha were surveyed by the government on Monday night and they generally said they need more time to adapt to the scheme. 

Many of them said they need at least a year or more, according to Koo. 

This came as the government kick-started a survey exercise to collect public opinions from 14 premises participating in the scheme’s pilot program. 

Koo also cited some residents saying that the longer the preparation time the better. Others said it’s best that the government abandons this scheme.