Hong Kong to ship out waste to GBA facilities, says environment chief

Hong Kong is mulling to ship out its waste to processing facilities in the Greater Bay Area, with talks between the SAR government and mainland authorities underway.

Secretary for Environment & Ecology Tse Chin-wan told a radio program Wednesday morning that he believes it is feasible to transport some of Hong Kong's waste to facilities in the Greater Bay Area for processing, with the approach being cost-effective and would contribute to the promotion of green industries. 

He confirmed that discussions are underway with mainland authorities, and the plan’s implementation would involve issues such as immigration regulations, operational arrangements, and the roles of both parties.

More details will be announced when there is a concrete plan, said Tse.

Meanwhile, the environment chief said the city’s first waste incinerator, located on Shek Kwu Chau, will begin operations next year, while the government is also planning a second one in Tuen Mun.

Once the two incinerators are up and running, the landfill site at Ta Kwu Ling can be closed, said Tse, adding that authorities are seeking to build a third one in the Northern Metropolis, which would allow the closure of all landfill sites in Hong Kong.

Tse noted that the integration of waste management between Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area, along with cooperation in developing green industries, has significant benefits for both parties.

Tse said Hong Kong can provide technology and funding, while the Mainland has available land and lower labor costs. Hong Kong can also serve as a gateway to assist in the sale of Mainland green products, Tse added.

Also speaking on the same program, Greenpeace campaigner Leanne Tam Wing-lam opposed the SAR government allocating more resources to such “end-of-pipe treatment” plans.

She said constructing incinerators is not an ideal method of waste processing, and it is a misplaced priority allocating large resources to such "end-of-pipe treatment".

“Authorities should implement the Producer Responsibility Schemes as soon as possible to achieve waste reduction at the source,” said Tam.