No backing down from polluter-pays drive

Ayra Wang

Charging residents may not be the only option to cut down on municipal waste, but the administration will not give up its polluter-pays principle after it indefinitely postponed the waste-charging scheme, says Secretary for Environment and Ecology Tse Chin-wan.

Speaking on radio yesterday, Tse said the administration will step up awareness, expand the recycling network and improve the policy in 2025.

And there will be no timetable the next time around.

Tse added: "We need to work well in recycling first and correct the focus of the public from charging to reducing waste, and then see if the scheme can be optimized to let most people accept it."

He assured that the administration will consider implementing the scheme in phases while not ruling out other methods to promote waste reduction.

Tse denied criticisms that the free distribution of bags is simply to use up stock, insisting it serves as a promotion.

The Environmental Protection Department responded to media inquiries that authorities still have demand for bags, adding that 170 million designated bags of different sizes are currently in stock, with a total production cost of HK$74 million.

"The contract between the department and designated bag manufacturers does not have a rigid requirement for a monthly production volume and the department will continue to expect suppliers to produce based on demands," it said.

The department added that retailers will stop selling designated bags and returns of unsold bags will be arranged.

Hong Kong Property Services Alliance chairman Mickey Yan Wai-kiu said he was "a little bit disappointed" about the decision, as it meant the months-long preparation was in vain.

Yan suggested that residents discuss with their property management companies whether to return the additional fees collected for the scheme or save them for other uses.

Catherine Yan Sui-han, Environmental Services Contractors Alliance convener, supported the postponement, saying the cleaning sector lacks manpower and that it would be challenging for frontline workers if the scheme were implemented.

Green groups continued to question the administration's lack of determination and confidence to implement the scheme.

Green Earth executive director Edwin Lau Che-feng said the administration is only looking at the negative responses while ignoring the trial run at government buildings last month, which received positive feedback.

Lau suggested extending the six-month adaptation period instead of postponing, or otherwise "people would not take the first step and the law would never be implemented."

Angus Ho Hon-wai, executive director of Greeners Action, said the postponement would cool down the enthusiasm for waste reduction and urged the administration to implement the scheme in government buildings.

Environmental Association chief executive Yau Wing-kwong said there are still many constraints in the recycling procedure, but Hongkongers would be more willing to recycle with sufficient and convenient recycling facilities.

ayra.wang@singtaonewscorp.com