Govt issues nearly 32,000 littering fines in hygiene black spot crackdown

The government issued 31,945 fixed penalty notices against littering offenses last year to tackle hygiene black spots, according to the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department. 

The Department noted that authorities had received 12,090 complaints about illegal refuse deposits since the crackdown launched in 2022.

The penalties for the offense were also raised to HK$3,000, which is expected to contribute an additional amount of HK$95.8 million to the treasury.

Meanwhile, the Department highlighted the installation of Internet Protocol (IP) cameras at about 470 illegal refuse deposit blackspots across various districts last year.

It stated that 3,957 fixed penalty notices and 1,250 summonses were issued to offenders based on video footage captured by the cameras.

In addition, the Department added that IP cameras have been installed on roads with central dividers at over 30 suitable locations in recent months to combat littering from vehicles by irresponsible drivers or passengers.