Private housing residents to receive free designated bags as govt promote source separation of waste

Residents in private housing will receive free designated bags for six months if their property management companies or owners' corporations are committed to establishing and maintaining convenient recycling facilities within the housing estates or buildings.

This came after the waste-charging scheme was called to a halt in April, and the government is now shifting the target to encourage residents to reduce the quantity of waste disposed of by making good use of the recycling facilities and the limited number of bags.

The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) introduced the "Waste Reduction and Recycling Charter" on Monday, in a bid to encourage residents in private housing to cultivate the habit of source separation of waste and ensure proper handling of recyclables.

EPD is inviting property management companies, owners' corporations, or residents' organizations of private housing estates to participate in the Charter. 

Participating properties are required to set up an appropriate and convenient recycling system, allowing residents to recycle materials such as paper, metals, plastics, glass containers, paper-based drink cartons, and food waste. 

They are also required to keep records of the transportation of various recyclables, conduct promotional campaigns to encourage residents to practice source reduction and clean recycling, as well as publish quarterly recycling data to improve recycling management performance.

Private residential premises that sign up for the Charter will receive the designated bags free of charge, with 20 bags per household per month for six months.

The Green Outreach of the EPD will also provide technical support - including application for free recycling bins, provision of relevant recycling bin suppliers, collection services for recyclables, promotional and educational information on clean recycling, co-organising waste reduction and recycling promotion activities.