Demonstration scheme of solid waste charging starts at 14 premises in April

A total of 14 premises including West Kowloon Government Offices, several public and private housing estates, elderly homes and malls will be covered in the demonstration scheme of Hong Kong’s pay-as-you-throw waste charging scheme starting April. 

They include On Ning House, Moon Lok Dai Ha in Tsuen Wan; Lin Tsui Estate in Chai Wan; Genius Court in Kowloon City; 15 & 17 Pei Ho Street and 58 Cheung Sha Wan in Shum Shui Po. 

Chelsea Heights Plaza, New Life Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association Tuen Mun Long Stay Care Home, Kato Home for the Elderly – all in Tuen Mun – will start the demonstration scheme next month, as well as Uptown Plaza in Tai Po. 

The remaining four are restaurants; they are SC Cuisine in Mong Kok, Hsin Kuang Banquet Hall in San Po Kong, Café de Coral in Admiralty Centre, and Hong Lin Restaurant in Tai Wai. 

According to a document tabled to the Legislative Council, the Environmental Protection Department plans to brief the LegCo panel on environmental affairs on the outcome of the demonstration scheme in May or June. 

“The demonstration scheme aims at pragmatically examining the problems that may arise during the implementation of municipal solid waste (MSW) charging, reviewing the processes and actual practices of different stakeholders including waste producers, front line cleansing staff, and waste collectors,” it read. 

It also said the Deputy Chief Secretary will lead an interdepartmental steering group to oversee the overall work of the demonstration scheme and review its outcome, allowing a comprehensive understanding on the overall situation of the preparatory work.