HK plans to implement construction waste scheme in 2005

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government intends to implement a construction waste disposal charging scheme next year, a Hong Kong official said Wednesday.

Secretary for the Environment, Transport and Works Sarah Liao told the Legislative Council that the government has been following the polluter-pays principle.

According to her, the government is carrying out a study to examine the feasibility of introducing a proposed product responsibility scheme for waste tyres, which aims to reduce the quantity of tyres disposed of at landfills and provide the trade with incentives to recycle them.

"Last October, we began a regulatory impact assessment study on the proposed scheme to evaluate in detail the cost-effectiveness of different options and their impacts on the industry and stakeholders, so as to identify the best option," she said.

The study is expected to be completed soon and the government plans to consult the industry and stakeholders on the recommended options within the year, she added.

Source: Xinhua