Sustainable solid waste management Introduction of the topic

A large amount of solid waste is produced worldwide every

Theme story: Who wish to live in the “City of Trash”? day. Hong Kong alone, in 2011, produced on average a stunning
17,300 tons of municipal solid waste every day. Nowadays, how

Napoli, a beautiful Italian city, is a famous tourist attraction in the Mediterranean. to effectively manage solid waste is the challenge for everyone

In the past 10 years, the city has been troubled by garbage problems. Despite its on the Earth, so what strategies should Hong Kong adopt to

beautiful scenery, the city was filled with disgusting smell. According to a news manage solid waste? This chapter provides relevant materials

report, in 2008, Napoli had once ceased to have domestic waste collection for for students to understand the following topics:

two weeks continuously thus at least 100 thousand tons of waste piled up in • Definition of solid waste, its types and impacts
the city. In 2011, there was a time when about 2,000 tons of waste stacking on
• Overview of solid waste problem in Hong Kong and its
the street. Therefore, the mayor had to ask armed guards to help with garbage
management strategy
cleaning and transmitting.
• International experience in solid waste management strategy
Why couldn’t Napoli manage its garbage properly? One of the main reasons is
that the interests of local waste disposal enterprises are connected with mafia and other groups. Additional factors, which other cities
are commonly facing, include inefficient waste separation and recycling, insufficient waste disposal facilities etc. At present, Napoli has
almost no land available for landfills while incinerator-building proposals are also facing a lot of challenges.

This real life example of how a beautiful city became a garbage-besieged city is worth pondering. If a city or region
fails to reduce and manage waste properly, serious environmental problems will occur.

Let us look at the situation in Hong Kong. Are we willing to live in a city where we need to wear masks on garbage-filled streets and
live with disgusting odour? Take a look at the following data: the Environmental Protection Department pointed out that until 2011,
17,300 tons of municipal solid waste were produced every day while about 9,000 tons of them were dumped at landfills. A total of
13,450 tons of waste were transported to the landfills every day. The current strategic landfills will soon be exhausted. Under this
situation, having streets stacked with garbage is not absurd.

In order to tackle the problem and improve waste management system, the Hong Kong Government introduces various measures,
including reducing waste at source, and a blueprint for waste disposal. However, effective solid waste reduction and management
is still a great challenge to Hong Kong in becoming a sustainable city. Are you willing to live in a city of garbage? If not, we should
start to change our ways of living, and to manage waste effectively.

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Teaching arrangements
Modules Energy technology and the environment + Hong Kong today + Modern China + Globalisation

Learning goal • Understand the definition of solid waste, its types and impacts

• Grasp the current situation of solid waste disposal in Hong Kong and the crisis

• Get to know ways of effective solid waste management in Hong Kong

• Grasp opinions from different stakeholders on solving the crisis of managing solid waste

• Understand the international experience in solid waste management, and think about the reflections on Hong Kong

Discussion • What problems are Hong Kong facing when dealing with solid waste? What instant solutions have been proposed now? What is the long
term blueprint for Hong Kong to waste recycling and waste management?

• What are the difficulties for Hong Kong to promote reducing waste at source and recycling in order to reduce waste disposal?

• What are the effects, influence, advantages and disadvantages of the four handling methods: reducing waste at source, recycling,
incineration and landfill?

• What are the opinions of different stakeholders towards solid waste management? What are their concerns? Can a balance be struck?

• What can Hong Kong learn from overseas experience of managing solid waste?

Suggested learning time 9 sessions (40 minutes each). If lesson duration is one hour, it is recommended to reschedule to eight sessions.

Generic skills • Critical thinking

• Problem-solving
• Research-conducting

Values and attitudes • Responsibility

• Sustainability
• Live a simple life

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Suggested teaching sequences
Station 1
Preparation activity –
Check Your Lifestyle! “A
personal plan on waste
disposal reduction“
Teaching materials:
Check Your Lifestyle!
Worksheet
Station 6
Knowledge building (4):
Experiences of international cities
on solid waste management
strategies
Teaching period: 1 session
Teaching materials:
Background Information (4),
PowerPoint (5)
Station 2
Knowledge building (1):
Definition of solid waste, its types
and impacts
Teaching period: 1 session
Teaching materials:
Background Information (1), Background Information (2),
In-class Worksheet, PowerPoint (1)
Station 7
Learning activity:
What measures should Hong Kong
adopt to cope with municipal solid
waste problem in the future?
Teaching period: 2 sessions
Teaching materials:
Preparation Worksheet, Learning
Activity Worksheet
Station 3
Knowledge building (2):
Overall solid waste
management strategies
Teaching period: 1 session
Teaching materials:
PowerPoint (2), Data-
Based Questions Worksheet (1)
Station 8
After class revision and extensions:
Revision and reflection
Teaching materials:
Revision Worksheet, Reflection
Worksheet
384
Station 4
Knowledge building (3):
Waste reduction at source,
recycling, incineration and
landfill policies in Hong Kong
Teaching period: 1 session
Teaching materials:
Background Information (3),
PowerPoint (3)
Station 5
Class discussion:
“Should waste disposal charge
be imposed in Hong Kong?”
Teaching period: 3 sessions
Teaching materials:
In-Class Discussion Worksheet,
PowerPoint (4)
Cross-module structure
Globalisation
• Solid waste disposal has become
a trans-national issue which is
Municipal solid waste
beyond individual government’s
control. Landfills release methane
and other greenhouse gases which
worsen climate change.
• By taking the example of developed
countries dumping their waste in
developing countries, think if there
is fair play on the international
stage.
Modern China Hong Kong Today
• The possibility of cooperating with the • Understand the current solid waste
Mainland cities in recycling and reusing disposal crisis and its influence in
solid waste. quality of life.
• The challenges and opportunities of • Interplay between Hong Kong people’s
managing solid waste brought by the lifestyle and solid waste disposal, and the Personal
economic development after the reform corresponding socio-political participation
Change the consumer
and opening-up. and responsibility.
culture and habit, and reduce
• Different ways of how Hong Kong deals the amount
with solid waste and demands from of waste
different people/ organisations/ interest
groups.
• Plan a strategy for Hong Kong’s
management of solid waste in the future
based on what you’ve learnt, introspect
yourself and make changes.
385
 Name:
Station 1: Preparation activity – Check Your Lifestyle!
Class (No.): ( )
“A personal plan on waste disposal reduction”

The main types of waste and the reducing methods

Knowing the “4R”: Please record the main types of waste produced by you, and apply the “4R” principle in developing practicable reduction
methods for yourself.
“4R” principle:
The types of waste Principles applied Practicable reduction methods Impacts of using this method
Reduce / Reduce waste production, including refusing
Prevention to buy or use products which are contrary to
green principles, such as products with excessive
packaging and disposable cutlery.

Reuse Think about how to reuse waste and avoid

discarding items, such as writing on both sides of
the paper and using a worn cloth as a duster etc.

Recycling Separate waste for recycling and recovery, such as

putting the plastic bottles into separation bins for
recycling and using the plastic to make reusable
bags.

Recovery Make use of modern technology to recover energy

from waste thus avoid dumping into the landfill.

Reference:

Environment Bureau (2013) Hong Kong Blueprint for Sustainable use of resources 2013-2022.
Retrieved from http://www.enb.gov.hk/en/files/WastePlan-E.pdf

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Daily record

Put your personal waste reduction plan into practice for at least one week and complete the following table.

Start from to

Methods of reducing
Extent of practice Difficulties and suggested solutions Your feedbacks on the implementation of the scheme:
waste disposal

387
Station 2: Definition of solid waste, its types and impacts

Background information (1)

According to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD, 2012), 650 million tons
of solid waste were generated in the world in 2009. Until 2011, global solid waste increased to 1.3 billion tons
(World Bank, 2012). Currently, different countries as well as Hong Kong are facing different waste removal
and disposal challenges. Let us define solid waste, as well as its causes and environmental impacts below.
Teaching tips
To stimulate the learning motive of students, teachers may consider the following options:

Play one of the video clips below and invite 2-3 students to share their views:

• “Waste Reduction City: garbage can be a serious problem” produced by Radio Television Hong

Kong.

• “Hong Kong Connection: besieged with garbage” produced by RTHK.

(http://programme.rthk.hk/rthk/tv/programme.php?name=tv/hkcc & d = 2011-01-10 & p = 858 & e

= 126146 & m = episode) “or

• Any other related clips

Teachers should guide the students to think about solutions to existing waste problems:

1. What environmental problems and crises are brought by waste disposal?

2. Are students responsible for waste generated crises or problems?

Teachers should make use of class worksheets and video clips to guide students to analyse:

1. What solid wastes or municipal wastes do we create in daily lives?

2. What environmental problems are caused by these solid wastes?

What is solid waste?

According to the definition of the OECD, solid waste is useless and sometimes hazardous materials with
Let’s think
low liquid content. It includes food waste, industrial and commercial waste, sewage sludge, agricultural
After the preparation activity, do you think you can achieve a
and livestock waste, and waste from construction and mining etc. (OECD, 2003) Municipal solid waste
“zero” waste goal? If it is difficult to do so, what are the proper
refers to the above generated by cities. Residential buildings, factories, office buildings, small retailers,
ways to deal with the waste we produced?
enterprises, national parks and even street cleansing are all sources of solid waste (World Bank, 2012).

388
Types of solid waste
The World Bank pointed out that the large amount of solid waste produced from various human
activities is the main problem of cities (World Bank, 2012). Hong Kong, an international city, will be
used as an example to introduce different types of solid waste:

The classification and daily average of solid waste in landfills of Hong Kong in 2011

67% Municipal solid waste

25% Construction waste

8% Special waste

Source:

The Environmental Protection Department (2012): “ Monitoring report of Hong Kong’s Solid Waste: statistics
of 2011”. Retrieved from https://www.wastereduction.gov.hk/sites/default/files/msw2011.pdf

389
 Municipal solid waste Three main sources of municipal solid waste:

• Domestic waste
Waste collected from residential buildings, public institutions, public trash bins, streets, marine area and country parks;

• Commercial waste
Waste generated by shops, restaurants, hotels, offices and markets in private housing estates;

• Industrial waste
Waste produced from all industrial activities.

Construction waste Waste and surplus materials generated from site clearance, excavation, construction, refurbishment, renovation, demolition and road works.
Construction waste is further divided into two sub-categories:

• Non-inert materials, including bamboo, timber, packaging waste and other organic materials, etc.
• Inert materials, also known as public fill, including construction debris, rubble, soil and concrete.

Special waste • Including medical waste, animal carcasses, livestock waste, asbestos, radioactive waste, grease trap waste and slugde from water treatment
plant.

The interaction of solid waste and urban life

• Modern lifestyle with a variety of industrial, commercial and residential activities, produces more solid waste than in the past. In developed countries, the consumption pattern
of continuously purchasing new items and discarding old articles accelerates solid waste disposal in urban areas (OECD, 2012). Fast technology turnover rates, such as iPhone
which its fifth generation has already appeared in the market, increase waste. The product and its packaging and accoutrements could all be used for an extended period of time
before replacement.

• Global population growth implies growing consumption, leading to more solid waste and environmental damage. According to UN Population Division statistics, the world’s
population increased from 5.3 billion in 1990 to 7 billion in 2012 (UN Population Division, 2011). Accompanying the population increase, annual solid waste production also
increased from 68 million tons in 2002 to 1.3 billion tons in 2012 (World Bank, 2012).

• The World Bank stated that by 2025, solid waste produced in the world annually will reach 2.2 billion tons, of which the average total amount of waste
generated daily in the Asia-Pacific region will reach 1.86 million tons, making Asia the number one solid waste contributing region (World Bank, 2012).

390
The influence of solid waste on environment
Causing different kinds of pollution (World Bank, 2012; Guangdong Provincial Environmental
Protection Bureau, 2003; Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, 2001)
Solid waste not only pollutes the environment directly, but also causes other forms of
pollution, including:
• Air pollution: If we cannot handle the solid waste properly, stench, odour, sulfur dioxide
and other hazardous gases may release and cause air pollution. Dust and particles may
also pollute the air.
• Water pollution: Urban sewage contains excrement, grease, food waste and other solid
waste, affecting the water quality of the rivers and oceans. If they are directly discharged
into rivers, lakes and oceans, they may destroy the ecosystem of aquatic organisms. A
potential “dead zone” of no living organisms may occur.
• Soil pollution: When solid waste is disposed or dumped in landfills, toxic liquid leaked
from the waste may seep into the ground after raining, affecting top soil structure and
quality, influencing microbial activity in the soil, plant growth and agricultural production.
Climate change exacerbation (UNEP, 2010)
• After solid waste is discarded or dumped into the landfills, large amounts of methane,
nitric oxide and other main greenhouse gases are released into the atmosphere, and
exacerbate climate change.
• According to the report of UNEP (United Nations Environment Program) in 2010, until
2005, carbon emissions caused by solid waste accounted for 3-5% of the total global
man-made carbon emissions, of which the most contributor is methane produced from
landfills accounting for about 700 million tons carbon dioxide equivalent.
Let’s think
Why are the developed countries willing to pay the developing countries to receive their
waste? Can this way of waste management solve the problem? Why?
391
Human health detriment (Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, 2001; UN-
HABITAT, 2009; 2010)
• Solid waste generate odour and makes humans uncomfortable. Also, waste breeds pests,
attracts rats and thus spreading diseases.
• Fine dust particles in solid waste contribute to air pollution and cause respiratory
complications.
• Industrial waste containing toxic substances and metals damages human health.
• Waterborne industrial waste is consumed by aquatic life. Humans would be sick if they eat
the contaminated fish.
• Untreated animal excrement has high organic content that breeds pathogens, larvae
worms and flies. Improper treatment can lead to the spread of diseases.
• According to the United Nations Human Settlements Office (UN-HABITAT) in 2010, in the
areas where solid waste is not properly disposed, the chances of residents suffering from
diarrhea and/or respiratory diseases are 2-6 times higher than those who live in areas with
proper solid waste management.
Environmental injustice caused by waste dumping
• In order to reduce solid waste, many cities transfer waste to the suburbs or wild areas,
choosing to contaminate their neighbours’ “backyards” over their own. One example
takes place in the slum area of the Cambodian Capital Phnom Penh where a mountain of
garbage keeps releasing smelly toxic gas. The under-class who earns income by collecting
waste has risked their health.
• Moreover, developed countries transfer their solid waste to developing countries, turning
them into landfills. For instance, Germany, the United States and the Great Britain export
tons of electric appliances waste to Africa. This severely damages the local land and water
resources, and the children health have also been damaged by direct contact with the
toxic substances in the electric appliances.
How do we tackle the solid waste problem?
The importance of solid waste management What is solid waste management?

The increasing demands on goods are the undeniable reasons for solid waste production. Growing amount of solid waste without According to UNEP, solid waste management refers to
proper treatment causes serious damage to the natural environment. Treatment of this waste also puts pressure on limited land . waste collection, transportation, treatment, disposal,
management and monitoring, leading to mitigation of
The remaining resources contained in solid waste should be reused sufficiently to maximize earth’s resources. At present,
natural resources consumption and reducing damage
solid waste disposal has become a worldwide problem.
to environment and human health (UNEP, 2005).
Therefore, while satisfying our living demands, we need to reduce solid waste and handle solid waste properly. The concept of solid
waste management is also designed for this situation.

Response based on sustainable development and environmental justice:

• Attention should be paid to environment. Unnecessary and excessive material consumption should be avoided. Solid waste generation should be reduced to prevent the
consumption and pollution from urban life and development beyond the carrying capactiy of environment. (UN, 1987; IUCN, 2006)
• Both economic and environmental factors should be taken into account when implementing waste management measures, not only considering environment protection but
also concerning about the people’s living standard and development demands.
Sustainable
development • Solid waste pollutes the water and air, reduces usable resources, affects our health. Its smell also impairs our quality of living. Therefore, apart from satisfying our living demands,
we should concern about the environmental and social factors, place human and environmental health at the forefront of efforts and reduce solid waste effectively.
• We should consider the worsening of soild waste problems while promoting social development for the sake of protecting environment.

• We should affirm that all groups have the right to enjoy a proper waste-free environment and guarantee no one is exempted from that right (First National People of Color
Environmental Leadership Summit, 1991).
Environmental • We should reduce excessive consumption and solid waste generation, consume the least resources of the earth, and ensure a healthy natural environment (First National People
justice of Color Environmental Leadership Summit, 1991).
• Developed countries and regions should not only protect their own interests by dumping or shipping their waste to neighbouring countries but also protect the developing
countries’ right to enjoy clean environment and consider the impacts of solid waste brought to them.

392
References:

First National People of Color Environmental Leadership Summit (1991): Principle of Environmental Justice. Retrieved from http://www.ejnet.org/ej/principles.html

International Union for Conservation of Nature (2006): The Future of Sustainability: Re-thinking Environment and Development in the Twenty-first Century.

OECD (2003), Solid Waste, Glossary of Statistical Terms.

OECD (2008), OECD Key Environmental Indicators.

OECD (2011), OECD Factbook 2011-2012: Economic, Environmental and Social Statistics. Retrieved from http://www.oecd-ilibrary.org/economics/oecd-factbook_18147364

UN HABITAT (2010), Solid Waste Management in the World’s Cities: Water and Sanitation in the World’s Cities 2010, Nairobi, UN-HABITAT.

United Nations (1987), Our Common Future: Report of the World Commission of Environment and Development. Retrieved from http://www.un-documents.net/ocf-02.htm#I

United Nations Environment Programme (2005), Solid Waste Management (Vol.I). Retrieved from http://www.unep.org/ietc/Portals/136/SWM-Vol1-Part1-Chapters1to3.pdf

United Nations Environment Programme (2010), Waste and Climate Change. Retrieved from http://www.unep.or.jp/ietc/Publications/spc/Waste&ClimateChange/Waste&ClimateChange.pdf

United Nations Population Division (2011), World Population Prospects, the 2010 Revision. Retrieved from http://esa.un.org/unpd/wpp/Excel-Data/population.htm

Environmental Protection Department (2012): Monitoring of Solid Waste in Hong Kong: Waste Statistics for 2011. Retrieved from
https://www.wastereduction.gov.hk/sites/default/files/msw2011.pdf

Environmental Protection Department (2012): Consultation Document “Strengthening Waste Reduction: Is Waste Charging an Option?” Retrieved from
http://www.epd.gov.hk/epd/msw_consult/file/MSW_con_doc_full_eng.pdf

The Hong Kong University of Science & Technology (2001): The Effect of Solid Waste, the Pioneer of Green Education.

Guangdong Environmental Protection (2008): Ways of Pollution of Solid Waste.

Oxfam Hong Kong (2010): Humanitarianism Snap the Poor, “Mokung” (Vol. 26). Retrieved from http://www.oxfam.org.hk/en/mokung_1163.aspx

393
 Name:
Worksheet Class (No.): ( )

1.
Solid waste produced by you

List five types of solid waste in daily life which you often generate and your method in dealing with them.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

2. Try to distinguish if the listed solid waste and disposal methods in Question 1, as well as the following actions would damage or pollute the air, water and soil. Fill the numbers in the correct boxes.

1-5) Solid waste listed in Question 1 or behaviours generating the solid waste
6) Throw the wrappers of hamburgers into the river.
Air Water Soil
7) To avoid pollution, carefully break the broken compact fluorescent
light-bulb(CFL) and bury it in the garden of the estate.
8) Throw the watermelon rind to trash bin.
9) Pour the leftovers into a food waste decomposer.
10) Classify different wastes and put them into the recycling bins.
11) Dump the construction waste on the outskirt of cities.
12) Dump the food residue into toilet and flush it away.
13) Particles are spread when the demolition of materials takes
place in a contruction site.
14 ) Burn the wasted tires.

394
Station 3: Overall strategies of solid waste management

Background information (2)

The overview on Hong Kong’s solid waste management

With economic development and increasing population, the amount of solid waste in Hong Kong is continuously increasing. Up to 2011, about 17,300 tons of municipal solid waste
have been produced every day in average, including 3,584 tons of food waste (EPA, 2012). Some of them are collected for recycling or reusing while the rest of them are transported
to landfills.

Until 2011, the total amount of Hong Kong’s average solid waste dumped into the landfills is 13,458 tons every day. Various kinds of solid waste and its overview can be shown in
the following diagram:

Special waste 1,131

tons (daily)

Construction waste
8%
3,331 tons (daily)
Industrial and 25%
commercial waste
3,023 tons (daily) 22%

45%

Reference:
The Environmental Protection Department (2012): Hong Kong Waste Treatment and Disposal
Domestic waste Statistics.

5,973 tons (daily)

Total amount: 13,458 tons (daily)

Note: The numbers are all round off integers thus the total numbers may not be
equal to the actual total amount.

395
The trend of landfills’ solid waste from 2007 to 2011 is shown in the following chart:

Disposal of solid waste at landfills in 2007 - 2011

每日公噸數

總數 13,901 13,504 13,326 13,817 13,458

16000

14000
1,559 1,119
1,391 1,242 1,131
12000
2,811 2,979
2,940 2,948 3,023
10000

8000

6,135
6,372 6,081 6,015 5,973
6000

4000

2000 3,584 3,331

3,158 3,092 3,121

0
2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 年份

整體建築廢物 家居廢物 工商業廢物 特殊廢物

Reference:
Environmental Protection Department (2012): Monitoring of solid waste in Hong Kong - Waste statistics for 2011. Retrieved from
https://www.wastereduction.gov.hk/sites/default/files/msw2011.pdf

As observed, although from 2007 to 2011, the total amount of landfills’ solid waste slightly decreased, the decrease was
minimal, implying solid waste is still a great challenge for Hong Kong.

396
Obstacles to Hong Kong’s solid waste management
The amount of solid waste
disposed of in landfills is
still enormous
Landfill overload crisis
• Although the average daily amount of landfills’ solid waste decreased from 13,817 tons in 2010 to 13,458 tons in 2011, the
recycling rate of municipal solid waste dropped from 52% to 48% in the same period, revealing that the amount of solid waste
to landfills is still enormous.
• In recent years, the amount of industrial and commercial food waste is continuously increasing, from 373 tons
in 2002 to 1,056 tons in 2011.
• Hong Kong’s solid waste disposal mainly relies on landfills. Since early 2000, the Government has warned that the three
landfills will be exhausted in a few years if not expanded.
• The Government estimated that the lifespans of each landfill will be ended in 2014 (South East New Territories Landfill), 2016
(East New Territories Landfill) and 2020 (West New Territories Landfill) respectively.
397
Solid waste management strategies in Hong Kong

What are the main strategies of solid waste management in Hong Kong?
The Hong Kong Government established the “Policy Framework for the Management of Municipal Solid Waste (2005-2014)”
in 2005 and issued the “Hong Kong: Blueprint for Sustainable Use of Resources (2013-2022)” in 2013, systematically coping
with solid waste problem. The Waste Hierarchy carried out in a sufficient number of developed countries was adopted as a
main way to manage solid waste. According to this method, the priorities over solid waste management strategies in Hong
Kong are as follows:

1. Reduce the amount and types of solid waste at source

2. Reuse materials and products
3. Recycle
4. Recovery
5. Reduce the volume of the waste and the amount of waste disposal

Hong Kong’s Waste Hierarchy can be shown in the following chart Supplementary
knowledge
Reduce quantity and types of wastes at source is Waste Hierarchy
PREVENTION
most desirable but challenging to achieve.
Waste Hierarchy, first appeared in the “Waste Framework Directive” published by

Putting materials and products back into the European Commission in 1975, aims at reducing material consumption and
REUSE use before thay become waste although not protecting the environment by implementing solid waste management (World

everything can be reused. Bank, 2012). This method was designated as the waste management principles in
Europe in the document. In 1989, the
Involves reprocessing but may be more
RECYCLING European Commission formally developed a multi-level
environmentally-friendly than using virgin management policy based on this method, and
materials. It also reduces landfilling. confirmed after a further discussion
in 1996.
RECOVERY Modern technology recovers energy, and recovery
minimizes landfill use.
Reference:
DISPOSAL What cannot be taken out of the waste stream Environment Bureau (2013). Hong Kong Blueprint for Sustainable Use of
needs to be landfilled. Resources 2013 – 2022. Retrieved from
http://www.enb.gov.hk/en/files/WastePlan-E.pdf

398
According to “Waste Hierarchy”, the Hong Kong
Government implements the following strategies:
• Promote the “4R” principle;

• Make use of economic incentives to encourage people to reduce waste at source:

introduce waste charging scheme to change their consumption and waste
disposal habits.

• Classify waste from sources and recycle: make effort to elevate municipal solid
waste recycling rate, from 40% in 2004 to 55% in 2015; Term explanation
4R principle (UNCRD, 2011; Environmental Protection Department, 2013)
• Reduce the volume of waste and final waste disposal: expand the existing
landfills and build Integrated Waste Management Facilities which apply advanced
“4R” principle refers to reduce, reuse, recycle and recovery. It is an important concept of solid waste
incineration technology as core technology.
management implemented by governments all over the world. Further explanation is given below:
• The above measures and facilities should be used all together but in different
● Reduce: Reject items and ways that violate environmental concepts, such as items that are
proportions.
excessively packaged, unable to be reused or recycled, and utensils that are made with non-

environmentally friendly materials. Instead, adopt ways which are more environmentally

friendly, like bringing your own cutlery instead of using disposable cutlery.

● Reuse: Do not discard items unless they are seriously damaged or loss of function. Effort should be made

to change their ways of use in order to keep them, like turning a cleaned glass jam jar into a container for

storage and a worn cloth into a duster.

● Recycle: Collect reusable materials for reprocessing and recycling, such as recycled paper.

● Recovery: Use modern technology to recover energy from waste in order to reduce landfill

waste.

399
What measures have Hong Kong implemented to deal with solid waste?

Based on the “Waste Hierarchy” strategy, Hong Kong have implemented complementary measures, including waste reduction at source, waste recycling, incineration
and landfill, to deal with solid waste. Relevant methods and measures are summarized in the following table:

Methods Measures

• Government regulations such as “Waste Disposal Ordinance”, “Waste Reduction Framework Plan” and “Product Eco-responsibility
Ordinance”, etc.
Waste reduction
• Public education, including schools and public education activities, as well as the “Wastewi$e Scheme” in collaboration with the
at source
commercial sector

• Provide economic incentives, such as Producer Responsibility Scheme (PRS) and waste levy

• Cooperate with Mainland enterprises to promote recycling import and export products

• Promote recycle and reuse, such as constructing Ecopark

Waste recycling • Launch the “Rechargeable Battery Recycling Programme” and the “Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Recycling Programme”

• Promote source separation of domestic, commercial and industrial waste

• Develop organic waste treatment facilities

Incineration • Construct integrated waste management facilities with advanced incineration technology

Landfill • Expand the South East New Territories Landfill

400
At present, various strategies and measures are introduced all over the world to cope with solid waste problems, such as:

Countries/regions Main strategies and measures Results

• Main strategies: use less to avoid waste, recycle energy in • Electronic waste recycling rate reached 98% in 2012
materials, reuse and manage waste disposal (in order of (European Commission, 2012)
priorities).
• Household waste disposal rate decreased from
• Measures: draft relevant laws and regulations, including “Closed 87% in 1999 to 39% in 2008.
Germany Substance Cycle Waste Management Act” in 1996, “Waste Landfill
Regulations” in 2005, etc., regulating that all waste produced by
households and enterprises must go through heat treatment or
biological treatment before disposal.

• Main strategies: implement “All Sorted and Zero Waste”, treat • Average daily waste production per capita dropped to
reducing waste at source and recycling as primary options. 0.942 kg in 2010.

• Measures: promote “4-in-1 Recycling Program” since 1997 to • Waste recycling rate reached 48.27% in 2010.
Taiwan
encourage citizens, recyclers, local government and recycling fund
• Total amount of waste reduced by 8.84% in 10 years.
to cooperate with each other to carry out recycling and waste
reduction.

• Main strategies: focus on waste reduction at source and • Solid waste disposal rate decreased from 10.5
recycling, with the complements of incineration and landfills, million tons in 2000 to 5.07 million tons in 2009.
in order to build a “recycling-based society”. (Ministry of Environment, Japan, 2012)

• Measures: draft laws like “Basic Law for Establishing the Recycling- • Recycling rate of various wastes increased during
Japan
based Society”, implement mandatory household waste 2001-2009, such as the recycling rate of aluminum cans
classification recycling and build thermal waste treatment facilities increased from 82.8% to 93.4%; and the recycling rate of
that turn waste into energy. plastic bottles increased from 44% to 77.5%. (Ministry of
Environment, Japan, 2012)

401
References:

Alexander Neubauer (2011): Waste Management Strategies in Europe and Germany, Berlin: Institute of Ecology.

European Commissio (DG ENV) (2012), Sustainable Production and Consumption, Use of economic instruments and waste management performances, Final Report 10.
Retrieved from http://ec.europa.eu/environment/waste/pdf/final_report_10042012.pdf

Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU), Germany (2006), Waste Management in Germany-A driving force for jobs and innovation.

Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU), Germany (2005), Waste Policy in Germany and EU – info-Task.
Retrieved from http://www.bmu.de/en/detailview/artikel/waste-policy-in-germany-and-the-eu-info-tasks/?tx_ttnews[backPid]=581&cHash=bd0b4527ad1b558c373e12c8066630d4

Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU), Germany (2005), General Information: Waste Management in Germany.
Retrieved from http://www.bmu.de/en/detailview/artikel/general-information-waste-management-in-germany/?tx_ttnews[backPid]=581&cHash=4d0d1103cef9426275f2313bfb581121

Ministry of the Environment, Japan (2012), Concept of a Sound Material-Cycle Society. Retrieved from http://www.env.go.jp/en/focus/docs/files/20120301-28.pdf

Ministry of the Environment, Japan (2012), Annual Report of Environmental Statistics 2012. Retrieved from http://www.env.go.jp/en/statistics/contents/index_e.html

United Nations Centre of Regional Development (2011), About SPC/3R Project.

World Bank (2011), Urban Solid Waste Management: Glossary.

Environmental Protection Administration Executive Yuan, R.O.C. (Taiwan) (2011): Annual report of recycling in 2010.

Environmental Protection Administration Executive Yuan, R.O.C. (Taiwan) (2011): Policies: Waste Reduction at Source and Recycling.
Retrieved from http://www.epa.gov.tw/ch/aioshow.aspx?busin=323&path=15547&guid=7405b1b0-f6b4-459b-9359-44b69f8f7ce8&lang=zh-tw

Department of Environmental Protection, Taipei City Government (2010): Understand Waste Reduction.

National Council for Sustainable Development (2011): Report on Sustainable Development in 2010.

Li Jin Hui, Yu Ke Li, Liu Li Li (2011): Circular Economy 3R Principles and Development Trend, edited by Wang and Wen: Circular Economy, Energy Saving and Emission Reduction in 2011 (87-
102), Taipei: CTCI Foundation.

Legislative Council Brief (2011): Update on the Progress of the Key Initiatives in the “Policy Framework for the Management of Municipal Solid Waste (2005-2014)”.
Retrieved from http://www.legco.gov.hk/yr10-11/english/panels/ea/papers/ea-ep8603175a-e.pdf

Environmental Protection Department (2005): Policy Framework for the Management of Municipal Solid Waste (2005-2014).
Retrieved from http://www.epd.gov.hk/epd/msw/htm_en/ch03/main.htm

Environmental Protection Department (2008): Recovery of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment. Retrieved from https://www.wastereduction.gov.hk/en/workplace/weee_intro.htm

Environmental Protection Department (2011): Monitoring of Solid Waste in Hong Kong: Waste Statistics for 2010.
Retrieved from https://www.wastereduction.gov.hk/sites/default/files/msw2010.pdf

402
Reference:

Environmental Protection Department (2012): Monitoring of Solid Waste in Hong Kong: Waste Statistics for 2011.
Retrieved from https://www.wastereduction.gov.hk/sites/default/files/msw2011.pdf

Environmental Protection Department (2012): Hong Kong Waste Treatment and Disposal Statistics.
Retrieved from http://www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/environmentinhk/waste/data/stat_treat.html

Environmental Protection Department (2012): Recovery and Recycling of Municipal Solid Waste in Hong Kong.
Retrieved from https://www.wastereduction.gov.hk/sites/default/files/wr_msw.pdf

Environmental Protection Department (2012): Consultation Document “Strengthening Waste Reduction: Is Waste Charging an Option?”
Retrieved from http://www.epd.gov.hk/epd/msw_consult/file/MSW_con_doc_full_eng.pdf

Environmental Protection Department (2012): Hong Kong’s Environment: Waste. Retrieved from http://www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/environmentinhk/waste/waste_maincontent.html

Environmental Protection Department (2013): Hong Kong: Blueprint for Sustainable Use of Resources 2013-2022. Retrieved from http://www.enb.gov.hk/en/files/WastePlan-E.pdf

403
 Name:

Data-based questions worksheet (1): Problem of food waste Class (No.): ( )

Data 1

2000 2005 2010 2011

The amount of municipal solid waste 9,335 tons 9,377 tons 9,114 tons 8,996 tons
disposed of in landfills

Food waste *2,782 tons 3,154 tons 3,237 tons 3,584 tons

The ratio of food waste 29.8% 33.6% 35.5% 39.8%

* ”Monitoring of Solid Waste in Hong Kong” did not state the actual amount of food waste. The food waste data for 2000 is estimated by the average Food
waste/Putrescibles ratio of every year (~90%) and the total quantity of putrescibles in 2000.

Data 2

Charming City Daily XX/XX/XX

At present, among the 3,200 tons of food waste generated in Hong Kong daily, the ratio of industrial and
commercial waste to domestic waste is 1:2. The food waste is mainly transported to three landfills, making up 25%
of total daily landfill solid waste. Environmental Biologist Professor Dai Man Chan said, “Landfills in Hong Kong will
soon be running out of space. We should reduce the amount of landfill food waste because this type of organic
waste is perishable. Dumping food waste in landfills will generate leachate and a huge amount of greenhouse gases
such as methane, damaging the environment.
Source: Collections from newspapers

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Data 3: Comic

Discussion
1. What are the impacts of food waste on the environment? (4 points)

2. Is the problem brought by the amount of food waste disposal serious in Hong Kong? Please illustrate.
(6 points)

3. Try to examine the effectiveness of the method shown in data 3 in terms of tackling food waste
problem, and give reasons. (10 points)

405
Station 4: Waste reduction at source, recycling, incineration and landfill
policies in Hong Kong Let’s think
Background information (3)
What measures does Hong Kong adopt to tackle solid waste problems? Do you think the goal of “zero waste” can be achieved

waste reduction at source? If it is difficult to do so, what are

As mentioned earlier, the Hong Kong Government is actively planning various methods and measures to effectively the proper ways to deal with the waste produced by us?
manage solid waste. Different ways of tackling the problem of solid waste adopted by Hong Kong and their pros and cons
are stated below.

Waste reduction at source

Addressing the roots of the problem is the way to handle solid waste. Citizens and other parties should take the initiative together to protect the environment and reduce solid waste disposal. Therefore,
reducing waste at source is the key to solid waste management. Measures implemented by the Government include:

Government regulations and planning Education Economic incentives

• Enacted “The Waste Disposal Ordinance (WDO)” in 1980 to restrict and regulate the ways • In cooperatiion with front-line Government
and amount of solid waste disposal by different business sectors and households. departments and the society, a “community recycling
• Implemented the “Waste Reduction Framework Plan (WRFP)” in 1998, developing various network” has been established. Recycling points
ways of waste reduction. have been set up in different districts, and activities to
• Enacted the ”Product Eco-Responsibility Ordinance” in 2007, providing a legal foundation promote recycling are organised regularly. It includes
for implementing producer responsibility schemes. collecting recycling materials of lower market values
• Revised the “Building (Refuse Storage and Material Recovery Chambers and Refuse such as plastic and electric appliances by bartering.
Chutes) Regulations” in 2008, requiring the residential parts of all newly-built domestic • Through schools and public education, citizens would
and composite buildings to set up a refuse storage and material recovery chamber (with realize the problems brought by the large quantity of
an area no less than 1.5 x 1.5 meter) on each floor to provide sufficient space for recycling solid waste produced by the city. Thus, by promoting
facilities in order to adhere to the implementation of waste reduction at source. a green lifestyle, public awareness of protecting the
• Held a public consultation from February to May 2013 over the implementation of the environment is raised.
mandatory producer responsibility scheme (PRS) for glass beverage bottles. • Cooperate with the commercial sectors to implement
• Published the “Hong Kong: Blueprint for Sustainable Use of Resources 2013-2022”, in 2013 the “Wastewise Scheme” in order to compliment
presenting and illustrating strategies, targets, policies, measures and schedules for solid those environmentally friendly enterprises which have
waste management for the next decade. actively reduced waste, letting the commercial sectors
to understand the concept of sustainable solid waste
management.
• The Government suggested to implement
the PRS, requiring enterprises, shops and
consumers to share the responsibility of
recycling, recovery, waste management and
disposal in order to reduce waste. Thus, the
living habits of the public would be changed
and the amount of waste disposal would be
reduced.
• In 2009, the Government implemented
the Environmental Levy Scheme on Plastic
Shopping Bags, the pilot PRS. The idea of the
scheme is to provide economic incentives to
encourage citizens to reduce the use of plastic
shopping bags.
• From January 2012, the government started
a public consultation over the charging for
solid waste, aiming to encourage citizens to
reduce waste by charging, and tackle the
urgent solid waste problems.

406
 Supplementary knowledge
Teaching tips Types of food waste recycling (Jonathan Wong, 2012)

Food waste recycling can be mainly divided into two categories:

To motivate students to study, teachers may play “News 1. Compost disposal: In the process, food waste is decomposed by

Magazine: Incinerators - once and for all” or other related germs, and the high temperature caused also kill the bacteria in food

videos to introduce the discussion on incineratior construction waste. After 21-60 days of decomposition and stabilisation, food waste

in Hong Kong. is transformed into organic compost which can be used for cultivation.

2. Anaerobic decomposition: Under anoxic conditions, micro-organisms

decompose organic substances, and biogas is produced during the

process. The methane in biogas can be collected and used as fuel after

processing.

Information for teachers: Approaches of solid waste charging

In the consultation documents on solid waste charging, four main approaches are suggested.
• Quantity-based system: Waste charge is assessed on the basis of quantity. A direct link is established between the charge and the quantity of waste requiring
treatment or disposal.
• Proxy system: Waste charge is linked to an indirect indicator of waste generation. Water consumption is a common proxy because it can
reflect the level of human activity in a household.
• Fixed charge: It is not linked to the quantity of waste generated. Each waste producer within the same category (e.g. residents of the same
district) pays an identical rate regardless of how much waste they produce.
• Partial charging: Only specific waste producers are charged, such as business and industrial sector.

407
Waste recycling
“Waste recycling” refers to collecting discarded solid waste, turning them into new products by decomposing the recyclable materials or collecting used products, reusing them after cleaning and processing
(World Bank, 2011). For example, collecting trash paper and turning them into recycled paper. In Hong Kong, 52% of municipal solid waste and 40% of household waste were recycled respectively in 2010,
proving that waste recycling can efficiently manage and reduce solid waste generation and disposal. The directions of developments in waste recycling are listed below:

• Make use of the close connection with Mainland China, cooperate with local large enterprises, export recycled materials to Mainland for re-production.
Support
• Encourage Hong Kong enterprises to reuse recyclable materials, such as the establishment of EcoPark as a long term base for recycling industries and eco-friendly
recycling trade
manufacturers.

The Government promotes source separation in households and different sectors, for example:
• In 2005, the Government launched the “Programme on Source Separation of Domestic Waste” to encourage and assist property management companies to provide waste
separation facilities on each floor of the residential buildings, making waste separation more convenient for residents. The types of recyclable materials are also expanded,
Source separation including all types of waste paper, metal and plastic.
of waste and • In 2007 the Government launched the “Programme on Source Separation of Commercial and Industrial Waste” to encourage property management companies to establish
recycling scheme and implement waste recycling system in their industrial and commercial buildings, in order to encourage tenants or occupants to participate in waste separation and
recycling.
• The “Rechargeable Battery Recycling Programme” and “Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Recycling Programme” have been launched one after another. District
recycling centers and “EcoPark WEEE Recycling Centre” are set up to reduce waste disposal.

• As Hong Kong has little experience in collecting and processing a large amount of food waste, in 2008-2009, the Government set up the Pilot Composting Plant at the
Kowloon Bay Waste Recycling Centre, together with the implementation of the “Food Waste Recycling Partnership Scheme” with the business sector, to promote the
recycling of organic waste.
• The Government plans to construct an Organic Waste Treatment Facilities (OWTF), aiming at collecting commercial and industrial organic waste after source separation
(predominantly food waste), and turning them into useful products to reduce landfill waste.
• The development of the OWTF can be divided into two phases. It is anticipated that the two phases of facilities develop will have a capacity to manage 500 tons of processed
Waste disposal
food waste daily and producing 28 million kilowatts of electricity annually which is sufficient to supply 6,000 households. This can reduce landfill waste and carbon emissions.
facilities (Jonathan
• The Government promotes the establishment of the Kowloon Bay Material Transfer Center, providing bulk transfer of recyclable materials collected through the Community
Wong, 2012)
Recycling Network and the public.
• The Government plans to build Integrated Waste Management Facilities, aiming at largely reducing the volume of waste by using advanced incineration technology and
turning waste into energy.
• Since 2010, the Government has started to build sludge disposal facilities at Tsang Tsui in Tuen Mun, using advanced incineration technology to manage sludge, and turning
waste into energy at the same time. Thermal energy produced in the process can be converted into electricity for the facilities. It is anticipated to start running by 2015.

408
 Information for teachers: The overview on Hong Kong’s glass recycling
In Hong Kong, about 100,000 tons of glass waste is produced every year. Due to the high cost of glass recycling, business
sectors have never participated in glass recycling actively, except some beverage manufacturers which collect and reuse
glass bottles. About 3.3% of glass waste has been collected and recycled until 2010. In order to promote glass recycling,
the Government developed various measures, including:
• Since 2008, EPD has cooperated with Hong Kong Hotels Association to implement the “Glass Container Recycling
Programme for the Hotel Sector”. Hotels participated are responsible for the cost of the program. This program helps
hotels to reduce waste and effectively manage the glass containers.
• Different Government departments actively promote using eco-blocks made from glass containers and construction
waste in public projects, providing stable demand for glass waste recycling.
• In December 2010, EPD joined hand with Hong Kong Housing Authority to implement an experimental programme of
separation of glass containers and recycling at some public housing estates in East Kowloon.

Limitations of waste separation and recycling are listed below (Wright, 2005):
• There is a need to encourage citizens to participate in waste separation and recycling.
• Environmental reasons are not enough to encourage citizens to reduce waste production, thus other economic incentives should be used.
• Due to the low market value of glass, wood, tires and organic materials, the high transport cost and the lack of market demand, there is a need to
encourage enterprises to participate in collecting and recycling these materials.
• Hong Kong’s architectural designs are not convenient for domestic waste collection, for example, small residential units and
public facilities do not have sufficient space for waste separation and storage.
• Small and medium enterprises are the main investors of recycling and reproducing industry, limiting the capital of waste recycling technologies.
• High land prices and wages may affect the economic interest of establishing recycling and reproducing facilities.

409
Incineration

The key principle for incineration

The key principle for incineration is to separate the incombustible substances (such as metal), and burn
the residue at high temperature (above 850 degree Celsius). This can reduce the waste volume by over
90%, saving the space of landfills. At the same time, under controlled heating, energy contained in the
organic waste can be recovered, turning waste into energy (Boktin & Keller, 2011; World Bank, 2011). It
should be noted that incineration is an intermediate processing procedure only and the residual ash and
waste are still needed to be buried in landfills. A flow chart is presented below:
Supplementary knowledge
The procedures of incineration
1. Waste is continuously fed into the furnace by an overhead crane. The waste is combusted in the specially
designed furnace at a high temperature of over 850 degree Celsius for more than 2 seconds with sufficient
supply of air so as to ensure complete burning of the waste to prevent the formation of dioxins and carbon
monoxide.
2. The heat from the combustion is used to generate steam in the boiler. The steam then drives the turbine
which is coupled to the electricity generator.
3. The exhaust gas from the boiler is typically cleaned by the advanced pollution control systems to ensure
compliance with the stringent environmental standards.
4. The excess heat generated can also be used for other purposes, e.g. heat for swimming pool. It is also
supplied to the aeration tank to maintain an adequate micro-organism population for biological treatment.
The remaining sludge is concentrated to reduce volume before treatment in the sludge digesters.
5. The ash residues from incineration generally include bottom ash from the furnace and fly ash from the
exhaust gas cleaning units. The bottom ash is either reused as construction material or disposed at landfills.
Fly ash is typically stabilized and solidified by reagents and disposed at dedicated landfill with continuous
environmental monitoring.

Source:

The Environmental Protection Department (2009): Advanced Incineration Technology, seized from
http://www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/environmentinhk/waste/prob_solutions/WFdev_IWMFtech.html

410
Types of incinerator
According to the information from EMSD, Hong Kong is considering the following two types of incinerator:
Fixed bed incinerator
Features • Fix the waste on the furnace bed for combustion
• Improved furnace bed design to improve combustion
efficiency
• Based on the shape and function of the furnace bed, they
can be divided into: general fixed furnaces, mechanical
fixing furnaces, multi–bed furnaces and gas controlling
type, etc.
Advantages • Standardized design, low price
• Occupy little space
• Easily operated and maintained
• Small proportion of dust in gas emitted
Disadvantages • Large amount of combustible substances
contained in ash
• Unsuitable for waste with low calorific value
Fluidized bed incinerator
• Use ashes (e.g. sand and limestone) in the furnace to
transfer the heat to the pre-processed particulate or
homogeneous waste
• Drying and burning processes are completed in the fluid
process
• Due to air driving, combustion surface of the furnace
is wide, transferring heat efficiently and distributing
temperature evenly
• High combustion efficiency
• Stable furnace temperature
• Simple furnace structure, low maintenance cost
• Require advanced technologies to change waste into
particles or homogeneity in advance
• Complex control systems
• Erosion in furnace substances and furnace bed
411
Advantages and disadvantages of incineration (US Environmental Protection
Agency, 2012; US Department of Energy, 2012; UK Environment Agency, 2009)

Advantages Limitations

• Incineration can reduce the waste volume by 90%, saving
landfill space.
• Heat energy produced in the incineration process can also
extract thermal energy in solid waste and generate energy.
• New incinerators are equipped with gas cleaning mechanisms
and waste reducing facilities, such as bag-type dust collectors,
scrubbers and activated carbon injection systems, solving the
black smoke problem. Maintaining incineration temperature at
850 degrees Celsius ensures all organic pollutants are destroyed,
and prevents new pollutants.
• Incineration process can reduce toxic substances contained in
solid waste, and effectively remove the amount of pathogens.
• Incineration is an intermediate processing procedure only as the
residual ash and waste are still needed to be buried in landfills.
• Suspended particles and other air pollutants are likely to be
released in the process of incineration.
• Due to the low efficiency of tail gas treatment of old incinerators,
pollutants with a higher density, like dioxin and suspended particles
are contained in the tail gas. On the other hand, advanced incinerators
can effectively maintain the density of the pollutants below the
limited level.
• Manufacturing, operation and maintenance of incinerators
are very costly.

Controversy over integrated waste management facilities

Incinerator has its advantages and limitations. Although the Government suggested to build and develop integrated waste management facilities
based on advanced incineration technology in Shek Kwu Chau in the “Policy Framework for the Management of Municipal Solid Waste”, citizens
and environmental groups opposed by saying that this would bring negative impacts. In April 2012, the Government failed to apply for a funding to
the Legislative Council Panel on Environmental Affairs (the Legislative Council Panel on Environmental Affairs, 2012), resulting in suspension of the
construction plan. Explanations on the Government’s suggestion and its controversy will be given below.

412
 • The Government proposes to build integrated waste management facilities based on advanced incineration technologies to reduce the volume of
municipal solid waste and recycle useful resources, solving the landfill saturation problem and extend their lifespans.
• Integrated waste management facilities include an incinerator, a mechanical sorting and recycling factory, and some subsidiary
(including community) facilities.
Proposal of integrated
• Facilities are planned to be developed in stages, managing 3,000 tons of solid waste daily at the first stage. An artificial island is suggested to be built
waste management
by reclamation near Shek Kwu Chau for the construction of the incinerator.
facilities
• There is potential to turn waste into energy by using the heat energy released in the process of incineration to sustain the operation of the facilities.
The surplus electricity will be transported to the substation through cables, becoming a part of the electricity net. It is estimated that the facilities can
export 480 million kWh of electricity annually at the first stage which is enough to support about 100,000 households.

1. Residents in the outlying islands:

• The suggested incinerator site is close to residential areas, possibly affecting residents’ health and the surrounding
environment.
• Residents criticize the Advisory Council on Environment (ACE) and Town Planning Board (TPB) of hastily approving the blueprint and site
selection plan, and are dissatisfied with the questionable but approved Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).
• The Government fails to respond to citizens’ demands and hesitations and district councilors also fail to fulfill their commitments to stop the
plan.
Controversies 2. Environmental groups:
• The government should work on waste separation before considering incineration to prevent wasting of resources.
• This plan will develop a trend of incinerators.
• This plan will affect the surrounding environment, for example, dredging reclamation will lead to the extinction of the
endangered finless porpoises, destroying the biodiversity of Shek Kwu Chau.
• This plan will affect the local economy, such as damaging 31 hectares of fishable areas in Hong Kong, affecting the livelihood
of fishermen and the tourism of Cheung Chau, Lantau South and other places.

Let’s think
If no consensus is reached on the construction of integrated waste

management facilities, what suggestions do you have for the

Government to cope with solid waste problems?

413
Landfill disposal

With the development of economy and increase in population, the amount of solid waste in Hong Kong rises continuously. Until 2011, the average daily solid waste of Hong
Kong was about 17,300 tons, including about 3,584 tons food waste (EPD, 2012). Some of them were collected for recycle or reuse, and the rest were dumped into landfills.
Landfill is the disposal site for solid waste that are unavoidably produced, non-recyclable and non-combustible, and incinerator bottom ash. The practical procedure
includes compacting volume of waste, bury them in different layers of soil, let them decompose naturally in the soil and lastly cover them. Wastewater, odour, methane and
other pollutants produced in the process will be pumped away by various facilities to prevent contaminants and bacteria affecting the surrounding environment (World
Bank, 2011). The typical section of a landfill is shown in the following diagram:

Reference:
Environmental Protection Department (2010): Typical Section of a Lanfill. Retrieved from http://www.epd.gov.hk/epd/tc_chi/environmentinhk/waste/
prob_solutions/msw_sectlandfill.html

414
Advantages and disadvantages of landfills
(Wright, 2005; US Environmental Protection Agency, 2012)

Advantages Limitations

• Large landfill areas can contain a lot of waste at the same time.
• Landfill is designed and constructed as a secure containment
facility with multi-layer composite liner system. Its management
and monitoring systems ensure untreated gas and contaminated
water within the landfill will not leak and pollute the environment.
• Occupy valuable land resources.
• Landfill has limited capacity.
• Organic ingredients in waste may have anaerobic decomposition
reactions, generating a lot of landfill gas, such as methane.
• Landfill operation and maintenance costs are high. For example,
the annual operation cost of the three strategic landfills in Hong
Kong is $400 million.

Overview of landfills
Landfills have remained as the primary method of solid waste disposal in Hong Kong. At present, there are three strategic landfills in Hong Kong,
including South East New Territories Landfill (SENT) in Tseung Kwan O, North East New Territories Landfill (NENT) in Ta Kwu Ling and West New Territories
Landfill (WENT) in Nim Wan. As population and solid waste are increasing in Hong Kong, landfills will soon be filled up. These three landfills are estimated
to reach their limits in 2014, 2016 and 2020 respectively.

415
Controversy over landfill expansion: The case of SENT landfill
As the existing landfills are running out of space, the Hong Kong Government proposed to expand the three strategic landfills. The extension of SENT landfill was firstly proposed in
2010, and followed by WENT landfill and NENT landfill in 2013. However, the expansions arouse controversies among residents and District Council members. They were worned that the
extensions would harm the environment and the residents’ health. In April 2012, the Government’s application to the Legislative Council on the extension of SENT landfill was rejected.
The following part will use SENT landfill as an example to explain the controversial points :

SENT Landfill extension plan • Suggest to expand SENT landfill by 20.6 hectares, which include 15.6 hectares in Tseung Kwan O Area 137 and 5 hectares in the Clear Water
(LegCo, 2011) Bay country park.
• This plan is anticipated to add 1.7 million cubic meters capacity to the landfill, extending its lifespan to 2020.

Controversy 1. Residents
• The plan will worsen the odour problem, harming the daily lives of the nearby residents.
• Dissatisfied with Government’s action of asking the LegCo to approve the extension plan before announcing consultation results to the
public, ignoring the residents’ interests and their quality of life (LC Country Parks Designation) (Consolidation) ( Amendment ) Order 1995 ,
2010 ).
2. Environmental groups
• Occupying 5 hectares of land in the Clear Water Bay country park goes against the responsibility of protecting the environment,
possibly causing other country parks to be expropriated as landfills in the future.
• The Government is slow in waste reduction and expanding landfills is not a good method. Instead, the Government should focus on education
and other measures to solve the problem in long-term.
3. Legislative Council members
• The Government should develop integrated solid waste management strategies because landfill extension is not able to solve solid waste
problems in long-term.

416
How can Hong Kong citizens participate in the development of sustainable waste management
methods?

Although various measures and methods adopted by the Hong Kong Government ease the solid waste problems, for example, the
municipal solid waste recycling rate increased from 43% in 2005 to 48% in 2011, per capita municipal solid waste generation increased
A sustainable future: Are we willing to pay for
from 2.42 kg in 2005 to 2.44 kg in 2011, it is no doubt that the solid waste problem is getting worse. In order to reduce the amount of it?
solid waste generation, the community should solve this problem from its root, changing excessive consumption habits and lifestyles Purchasing unnecessary new items and discarding old items
of buying unnecessary products. For example: in daily lives is the fundamental reason for the increase
in solid waste in Hong Kong. Therefore, reducing and
● Use both sides of a paper, ● Think twice before shopping, do ● Use your own shopping bags, managing solid waste properly is our responsibility. We
reuse envelopes, reduce the not buy unnecessary products. do not use plastic bags. should also change our living habits and implement solid
use of office paper. waste management strategies stated above.

Let’s think, what are the impacts on our living standards if

landfills are saturated? If we do not change our living habits,
the waste problem will cause an enormous cost for the
environment and public to bear. It will definitely hinder the
development of Hong Kong. Thus, we should make changes
in our lives to protect the environment.

● Avoid wasting food, do not ● Donate extra electronic ● Separate the recyclable and
use disposable cutlery. appliances, computers, toys and non-recyclable waste before
clothing to charities. discarding.

As long as we reduce the unnecessary consumption in our daily lives, the goal of solid waste reduction can be achieved, and create a sustainable future.

417
References:

Legislative Council (2010): Subcommittee on Country Parks (Designation) (Consolidation) (Amendment) Order 2010.

Subcommittee on Country Parks (Designation) (Consolidation) (Amendment) (2010): Objection to the Expansion of Tseung Kwan O Landfill.
Retrieved from http://www.legco.gov.hk/yr09-10/english/hc/papers/hc1008cb1-2980-e.pdf

Panel on Environmental Affairs of Legislative Council (2012.4.20): Minutes of Special Meeting of Panel on Environmental Affairs.

Legislative Council Brief (2011): Update on the Progress of the Key Initiatives in the “Policy Framework for the Management of Municipal Solid Waste (2005-2014)”.
Retrieved from http://www.legco.gov.hk/yr10-11/english/panels/ea/papers/ea-ep8603175a-e.pdf

Environment Bureau (2011): Green Hong Kong (February Issue). Retrieved from http://www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/news_events/newsletter/files/Green_HK_Feb_2011_eng.pdf

Environmental Protection Department (2008): Report on Site Selection for the Development of the Integrated Waste Management Facilities.

Environmental Protection Department (2008): Source Separation of Domestic Waste. Retrieved from https://www.wastereduction.gov.hk/en/household/source_intro.htm

Environmental Protection Department (2008): Eco-Responsibility. Retrieved from http://www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/environmentinhk/waste/eco_responsibility/n_concept.html#2

Environmental Protection Department (2010): Strategic Landfills. Retrieved from http://www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/environmentinhk/waste/prob_solutions/msw_strategic.html

Environmental Protection Department (2011): Monitoring of Solid Waste in Hong Kong: Waste Statistics for 2010.
Retrieved from https://www.wastereduction.gov.hk/sites/default/files/msw2010.pdf

Environmental Protection Department (2012): Monitoring of Solid Waste in Hong Kong: Waste Statistics for 2011.
Retrieved from https://www.wastereduction.gov.hk/sites/default/files/msw2011.pdf

Environment Bureau (2013): Hong Kong: Blueprint for Sustainable Use of Resources 2013-2022. Retrieved from http://www.enb.gov.hk/sites/default/files/WastePlan-E.pdf

418
References:

Environmental Protection Department (2011): Environment Hong Kong 1986-2011. Retrieved from http://www.epd.gov.hk/epd/misc/ehk11/en/chapter2a.html#section5

Environmental Protection Department (2011): Explanatory Document about the Proposed Integrated Waste Management Facilities.

Environmental Protection Department (2012): Hong Kong’s Environment: Waste. Retrieved from http://www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/environmentinhk/waste/waste_maincontent.html

Environmental Protection Department (2012): EcoPark: Leading to a Greener Future. Retrieved from http://www.ecopark.com.hk/files/ecopark/EcoPark-leaflet.pdf

Environmental Protection Department (2012): Source Separation of Commercial and Industrial Waste. Retrieved from https://www.wastereduction.gov.hk/en/workplace/cissp_what.htm

Environmental Protection Department (2012): Legislation for the Management of Wastes.

Environmental Protection Department (2012): Food Waste Recycling Partnership Scheme.

Retrieved from http://www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/environmentinhk/waste/prob_solutions/owt_food2.html

Environmental Protection Department (2012): Recovery and Recycling of Municipal Solid Waste in Hong Kong.
Retrieved from https://www.wastereduction.gov.hk/sites/default/files/wr_msw.pdf

Environmental Protection Department (2012): Recovery and Recycling of Waste Glass Bottles in Hong Kong.
Retrieved from https://www.wastereduction.gov.hk/sites/default/files/wr_glass.pdf

Jonathan Wong (2012.3.19): Never Waste Food Waste, Liberal Studies TV. Retrieved from http://www.liberalstudies.tv/blog/ls_blog.php?mode=showThread&id=1057&mother_id=862

Jonathan Wong (2013.1.14): The Effects of Taiwan’s Success in Waste Reduction on Hong Kong Waste Management Strategies, Liberal Studies TV.

Living Islands Movement (2011.12.24): Position Statement: Hong Kong Oppose Plans for Shek Kwu Chau Mega-Incinerator.

Wei-Di Hsu (2000): “A Three Dimensional Numerical Modeling of a Rotary Kiln Incinerator and On-Site Measurement.” Environmental Engineering Postgraduate School, National Sun Yat-sen
University, Kaohsiung City. Retrieved from http://etd.lib.nsysu.edu.tw/ETD-db/ETD-search-c/view_etd?URN=etd-0714100-135325

Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (2011): Thermal Treatment, HK RE Net. Retrieved from http://re.emsd.gov.hk/english/energy/thermal/ther_tec.html

419
Station 5: Class discussion: “Should waste disposal charging Name:

( )
be imposed in Hong Kong?” Class (No.):

Background
In order to increase Hong Kong’s municipal solid waste recycling rate and mitigate the landfill overloading crisis, the
Environmental Protection Department put forward the municipal solid waste charging scheme. The scheme started its public
consultation in 2012, and aimed to be introduced under the “polluters pay” principle. Through economic incentives, it is hoped
that the citizens’ everyday habits would be changed and the amount of waste for final disposal would be reduced.

Objective
Through the discussion of “waste charging”, students will understand different stakeholders’ opinions concerning various
methods of solid waste disposal and the interaction of economic relationships.

Procedures

Section 1: Role-play and analyse the stakeholders’ opinions

5 minutes Divide students into 6 groups (6-8 students each group) and make use of Brief report (3) to introduce
“municipal solid waste charging scheme”.

20 minutes Distribute Worksheet (1), and ask each group to play a role, including representatives from the
Environmental Protection Department, the industrial and business sector, and environmental
groups. After reading the materials, students can prepare for their roles through discussion and
complete the worksheets.

10 minutes Invite one group from each role to share their opinions.

5 minutes Respond to students’ opinions and give a brief summary.

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Section 2: Prepare for the forum: Whose responsibility? Who needs to pay?

5 minutes Divide students according to the previous grouping and distribute Worksheet (2).

Ask each group to complete Worksheet (2) according to their assigned role. Each group is required to
20 minutes
prepare a speech for the forum.

10 minutes Invite one group from each role to share their opinions.

5 minutes Respond to students’ opinions and give a brief summary.

Section 3: Model forum

5 minutes Divide students according to previous grouping.

30 minutes Forum topic: “Should Hong Kong implement solid waste charging? If yes, how?”. Two representatives
will be sent from each group to speak in the forum. One student states the stance of the group and
the other will speak in the responding section.
Each group will have 1.5 minutes for stating their standpoints and opinions.
After stating their standpoints, each group will have 1.5 minutes for responding to other groups.
12 minutes for Q&A section.

5 minutes Respond to students’ opinions and make a comprehensive explanation.

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 Name:

Hong Kong’s future and sustainable development Class (No.): ( )

Worksheet (1)
After reading and analysing the following information, answer question 1 and 2.

Charming City Daily XX/XX/XX

At present, Hong Kong produces 19,000 tons of waste every day, while about 13,800 tons of them are transported to
landfills. Municipal solid waste accounts for 70% of the total waste. From 2005 to 2010, municipal solid waste disposal
per capita has been increasing continuously, with the municipal solid waste recycling rate increased from 43% in
2005 to 48% in 2011.

Per Capita MSW Generation and Disposal (2005 to 2010)

Generation Disposal
Year
(kg/person/day) (kg/person/day)

2005 2.42 1.38

2006 2.49 1.35
2007 2.44 1.33
2008 2.52 1.29
2009 2.52 1.28
2010 2.69 1.29
Source：
Environmental Protection Department (2012). Strengthening Waste Reduction: Is Waste Charging an Option?
Retrieved from http://www.epd.gov.hk/epd/msw_consult/document/english.html

422
 In Hong Kong, the daily municipal solid waste produced per capita is 2.69 kg, and the disposal amount is 1.29 kg, which is much
higher than other neighbouring cities of comparable economic development level. Although the municipal solid waste recovery
rate of Hong Kong has already reached 52%. According to the experience of some international cities, municipal solid waste charging
scheme under the “polluters pay” principle provides economic incentive in further raising of waste reduction and recycling, and
promote waste reduction at source. Hong Kong should use that as a model for instilling mindset and behavioural changes of
citizens to further reduce waste and promote waste reduction at source and recycling. This would help improve the efficiency of
recycling and reuse.

Representative of the
Environmental Protection
Department

The Environmental Levy Scheme on Plastic Shopping Bags introduced in 2009 has resulted in a great decrease of usage of plastic bags. It
showed that levy scheme can effectively change citizens’ habits. Therefore, we hold a positive and prudent attitude towards the municipal
solid waste charging scheme, and regard it effective in waste reduction.
According to the figures provided by the EPD in 2011, commercial and industrial waste accounted for only 22.5% of the total municipal
solid waste and its recycling rate was 66%, but the household waste accounted for nearly 45% of the total, and the recycling rate was only
40%. If the levy is only imposed on industrial and commercial waste, it won’t fully solve Hong Kong’s municipal solid waste problems.
Therefore, the Government can introduce incentive measures, such as SME waste reduction subsidy schemes, to encourage the industrial
and commercial sector to contribute to environmental protection. Otherwise, if the cost of business increases, we may need to shift the cost
to the consumers.
Representative of the industrial
and business sector

We certainly support the Government’s municipal solid waste charging scheme. We suggest the scheme to be introduced under
the “polluters pay” principle and charged accordingly to the amount of waste produced. Through economic incentives, we could
encourage citizens to play an active role in separating waste and recycle, and learn to reduce waste. We also suggest setting an
allowance for underprivileged families, i.e. Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) families, to let them pay only if their
amount of waste disposal exceeds the limit after separation and recycling. If the Government fails to establish a system for waste
reduction, it is undoubtedly her fault. However, once the system is established, the citizens must adhere to it.

Representative of environmental
groups

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Polluters Pay: Reducing Waste by Charging

Message board
Three-coloured bins : I have attempted to separate waste, but the building I live in has
no waste separation bins. Thus I have to dump the trash into the
litter bin. I am already paying waste collection fee to my building’s
management. If the Government is going to charge, the burden
will be too heavy for me. I object to that!
Overloaded bin : Gosh! I want to do my part too, but the recycling bins on the street
and in my building are always overloaded. I just can’t put things in!
Pauper : Not another tax again! Yes dude, no doubt plastic bags are
not necessities. But now I can’t even afford to eat. Why not
charge the businessmen alone? Their products are tiny yet
heavily-packaged, and they are very expensive! Now I have
to pay the price for them? You should go and charge them!
Little Glass Prince : I think the Government should prepare enough recycling facilities
before promoting the policy. For example, in foreign countries,
glass containers can be recycled, but not in Hong Kong! If the
system of waste separation is not comprehensive, the situation will
not improve simply by charging!
1980s generation : We have a serious inflation now, and the costs of everything are
rising except our income. It is the Government who should fork out
her tens of billions of surplus to solve the problems!

Sources:

Collections from newspapers

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1.) Try to play the role of your group, and analyse the other two types of stakeholders’ opinions.
The role of the group :

The other two stakeholders The stakeholder’s role The stakeholder’s role

Background

Stance

Argument

2.) According to the stance and opinion of your role, which opinion of the stakeholders will you accept or reject?

Accepted opinions Rejected opinions

Stakeholder The content of opinion Stakeholder The content of opinion

425
Class discussion: “Should waste disposal charging be Name:

imposed in Hong Kong?” Class (No.): ( )

Worksheet (2)
According to Worksheet (1) and the following materials, answer question 1 and 2.

Public consultation on “Plan of further waste reduction: Is waste disposal charging

feasible?”

According to the experiences of international cities on municipal solid waste charging, there are 4 main approaches, including :

Quantity-based Waste charge is assessed on the basis of waste quantity. A direct link is established between
System the charge and the quantity of waste requiring treatment or disposal.

Proxy System Waste charge is linked to an indirect indicator of waste generation. Water consumption is a
common proxy because it can reflect the level of human activity in a household.

Fixed Charge No connection between charges and the amount of waste. Each waste producer within the
same category (e.g. residents of the same district) pays an identical rate regardless of how
much waste they produce.

Partial Charging Only charges specific waste producers, such as the business and industrial sector.

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 Charming City Daily XX/XX/XX
Suggestion: Implement charging on industrial and business sector first
Hong Kong produces about 9,100 tons of municipal solid waste every day, of which food waste accounts for one-third. The food waste makes the other waste
dirty, affecting the recycling rate. The recycling industry suggests using the incoming on waste disposal charging to support the recycling industry. Mr. Cheung,
manager of Hong Kong Organic Resources Recycling Ltd., believed that the Government should charge the industrial and business sector first, since they are
responsible for 1,000 tons of the food waste. As the amount of food waste is large and the sources are concentrated, it would be easier to implement in the
industrial and business sector. After the system has started to run smoothly, it could then be extended to other sectors. Meanwhile, the Government could
provide tax reductions and other economic incentives to encourage different sectors to participate.
Experts anticipate charging scheme will have no effect
Mr. Koo, manager of a recycling center, suggested that while introducing the waste disposal charging scheme, other measures should also be introduced to
promote recycling. Otherwise, the economic incentives would only render the citizens to think twice before shopping or disposing household waste and it
would be of little benefit to the recycling industry.
Miss Lam, who resells cardboard to recycling company, said after the Chinese New Year sweep up, around 60% of discarded home appliances and clothing in
the garbage room were still in good condition. After filtering, they could be reused or resold. Miss Lam regarded waste-picking would be more difficult, not
because the amount of waste would reduce due to the charging scheme, but as a result of citizens dumping their waste in places other than the designated

Term explanation
1. “Polluters Pay” principle
The Environmental Protection Department stated that the concept of the “Polluters Pay” principle is “Everyone has a responsibility to create a clean
environment. Not only the Guangdong and Hong Kong Government, but all citizens should play their parts. We all produce sewage and waste, consume
fuels, and other activities which lead to pollution. Therefore, we should take initiatives in environmental protection.” Under this principle, citizens should
pay the price for their pollution-causing activities and share the burden.

2. Producer Responsibility Scheme (PRS)

“PRS” is a phrase often used in the environmental protection field, referring to a set of waste management measures. It requires manufacturers, importers,
wholesalers, retailers, consumers or any other participators to share the responsibility for a product in its life cycle to reduce its negative environmental
impact.

Sources: Collections from newspapers

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1 According to your position in the role play activities, state your stance and arguments to the following issues:

Opinions

Whether to impose waste disposal

charging or not?

Who need to bear the primary

responsibility for waste disposal
charging?

Which charging approach is the

most suitable?

2 Prepare to respond to other group’s opinions by anticipating their arguments for imposing waste disposal charging

Stakeholder Argument Counter-argument

428
Station 6: Experiences of international cities on solid
waste management strategies
Background information (4)
Solid waste management is an important issue for Hong Kong and the world. In 2012, World Bank pointed out that
as urban population increases, the amount of solid waste also increases continuously, with a speed outpacing that of Teaching tips
population growth. By 2012, 1.3 billion tons of solid waste was produced by around 3 billion global urban population
annually. The population is estimated to increase to 4.3 billion in 2025, producing 2.2 billion tons of solid waste (World Teachers may choose two or three international examples to
Bank, 2012). Thus, various solid waste disposal policies and measures are adopted by countries all around the world share with students. After explaining each case, students will
to reduce waste production and manage solid waste effectively. The experiences of solid waste disposal from Taiwan, be invited to compare the situation of Hong Kong with other
Tokyo and London will be discussed below to arouse the interest of students in improving solid waste management cases based on what they have learnt and think about what
strategies in Hong Kong. aspects Hong Kong is good at and what Hong Kong should

learn from these cases.

1. Taiwan: Waste reduction at source and recycling

Overview on solid waste

● In 2010, waste production in Taiwan was 7.871 million tons, of which 3.886 million tons are treated by
incineration, 0.181 million tons by landfill and 3.7996 million tons by recycling (Environmental Protection
Administration/ EPA, 2011).

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Waste reduction at source and recycling programmes in Taiwan
To cope with solid waste problems, Taiwan Government has adopted “All Sorted and Zero Waste” direction which
focuses on reducing waste at source and recycling and the following programmes are implemented (Environmental
Protection Administration, 2011, 2012) :

Prevent excessive packaging (Taipei Environmental Protection Agency, 2010)

● Taipei government restricts excessive packaging, controls the volume ratio and layers of gift boxes and computer disk.

● After implementation, the packaging of consumer goods decreases and the designs favor recycling.

Reduce disposable items

Reducing waste at
source ● In order to implement waste reduction at source, from 2002 onwards, Taiwan has gradually restricted the use of plastic bags and plastic
disposable cutlery and encouraged the public and industries to use reusable products instead.

● In order to reduce the use of paper cups, ‘Government Office and School Paper Cup Reduction Program” entailing two strategies of
restricting usage at certain premises and setting reduction goals was implemented on 27th June, 2007.

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 4-in-1 Recycling Program
● This programme has been launched since 1997 to encourage citizens, recycling sectors, local governments and recycling funds to
cooperate with each other to implement recycling and waste reduction.
● Through voluntary recycling organisations, waste collection stations and cleaning groups or private recyclers, waste is classified and
collected separately.
● Funding subsidies are used to build a comprehensive recycling system.
● Taiwan Government has implemented mandatory waste separation since 2005, regulating citizens to separate household wastes into
resources, food waste and waste.

Food Waste Recovery and Reuse Plan

● Taiwan Government has launched this programme since 2001, including:
1. Education and promotion: get schools, communities, environmental groups and different media platforms united to
Recycling promote food waste recycling.
2. Food waste recycling system: design recycling routes, regions and methods, set up temporary food waste storage places, purchase food
waste recycling trucks, food waste separation bins and other facilities.
3. Establish various methods to reuse food waste, such as feeding pigs. Besides, making use of existing compost areas,
promoting household and social compost and building food waste compost areas are also considered.

Incinerator Bottom Ash Recycling Project

● Since 2002, Taiwan Government has used recycled products made with bottom ash from incinerators in government projects to promote
the concept of waste recycling.
● Promote reusing bottom ash as additional mixings of plain concrete, asphalt concrete and bricks, as well as materials for road construction.
And, develop a market for selling recycled bottom ash.

431
Effectiveness
With the implementation of waste reduction at source and waste recycling, the amount of average daily waste per
capita in Taiwan reduced to 0.942 kg in 2010. In the same year, the waste recycling rate reached 48.27%, and the
waste proper disposal rate reached 99.97%. The total amount of waste also decreased by 8.84% in ten years. The
effectiveness of the measures is summarised as follows:
Supplementary
Restriction on excessive A reduction of 6,900 tons of packaging materials annually, with 26% reduction
knowledge
The key points of waste reduction at source and recycling measures in
packaging rate (Environmental Protection Administration, Executive Yuan, 2011).
Taiwan (Jonathan Wong, 2013)

Restriction on disposable
items
Restriction on using paper
cups in government
departments and schools
Food waste recycling
Incinerator bottom ash
recycling project
An annual reduction of 2,600 tons of waste (Environmental Protection The key points are as follows:
Administration, Executive Yuan, 2011). ● Clear “4-in-1 recycling” concept and mechanism connecting citizens, recycling
sectors and local cleaning teams;
The amount of paper cups procurement reduces by 90%. ● Recycling funds as economic incentives to provide funding for waste
reduction, waste recycling and education in the communities.
● Various measures are established one by one, firstly providing funds for waste
After ten years of implementation, the amount of recycled food reduction in communities and subsidizing recycling sectors, secondly forming
cleaning teams and other complementary facilities, then legislating for waste
waste increased from 300,000 tons in 2004 to 770,000 tons in 2010;
separation, lastly imposing waste disposal charge. All together encourage
the food waste recycling rate also increased from 3.96% in 2004 to citizens to separate and reduce waste.
10.82% in 2011 (Juridical Institute for Environment and Development
Foundation, 2012).
Until late 2010, 20 incinerating factories in 12 cities, including Taipei, Taichung,
Tainan, Kaohsiung implemented incinerator bottom ash recycling, recycled
2.73 million tons of bottom ash from 2003 to 2010; the recycling rate reached
80.9% in 2010 (Environmental Protection Administration, Executive Yuan, 2011).

432
Worries and limitations
Taiwan puts reducing waste at source and recycling before reducing waste production and disposal. Despite the
tremendous feedback in 2008 and 2009, the statistic in 2010 showed the ineffectiveness of the imposed policies, for
example (Council for Sustainable Development, Executive Yuan, 2011):

● The amount of average daily waste per capita in Taiwan increased back to 0.942 kg in 2010.

● The emissions of carbon dioxide from burning fuels reached 11.05 tons per capita in 2010, becoming the fourth
highest over the past decade.

● The growth rate of carbon dioxide from burning fuels was negative in 2008-2009 but it was 6.24% increase in
2010.

433
2. Tokyo, Japan: Waste disposal facilities

Overview on solid waste

● Tokyo produced nearly 4.81 million tons of waste in 2007 (Environment of Tokyo, 2012).
● Now, around 74% of waste in Tokyo is processed by incineration, 23% being recycled and 3% being disposed of in
landfills or managed in other ways.

At present, incineration is the main waste disposal method. Tokyo Metropolitan Government (TMG) has built advanced waste disposal facilities in recent
years to cope with solid waste problem, including:

● In 2008 , 21 waste incineration facilities are located in 23 districts in Tokyo, and most of them are next to residential areas and water
canals (Environment of Tokyo, 2010).
● 21 small-scale incinerator facilities are scattered in 21 districts, managing 300 to 600 tons of waste every day.
● All incineration facilities have received ISO14001 certifications, conforming the international environmental management standard. For
controlling waste gas emissions, especially Dioxin, the facilities have met the standard or even far below the newly established 0.1 ng-
TEQ/m3N emission standard, certainly not causing harm to citizens’ health.
● Incineration facilities generated 1 billion kWh electricity in 2008 and the excessive 430 million kWh (slightly more than 40%) can be sold
Incineration to the electricity network.
facilities ● An example of incineration facilities: Shin-koto Incineration Plant (Clean Association of Tokyo 23, 2012)
- Opened in 1998, the largest waste incineration facility in Japan.
- Advanced mechanical furnace grate incineration technology is used, processing 1,800 tons of waste every day.
- Japan’s Takuma mechanical furnace grate is adopted. The sloping movable furnace grate is used for incineration and it transfers the
waste continuously into the melting pot during combustion.
- The temperature in the incinerator remains at above 850 degree Celsius and maintains at least two seconds of residence time and high
turbulence to optimize the combustion, ensuring complete combustion and prevent dioxin and carbon monoxide emission.

Landfill ● Solid waste produced in 23 cities of Tokyo will be sent to the Outer Central Breakwater Landfill Disposal Site in Tokyo Bay and the New
Sea Surface Disposal Site after incineration.
● 50cm-thick soil will be covered on every 3 meters of garbage to prevent the flying dust and control the breeding of flies and other pests.
● The leaked sewage in landfills will be collected and sent to sewage treatment works. In addition to the use of landfill gas for power
generation, solar and wind power facilities are also found in the landfill.

434
Effectiveness
● With the introduction of waste disposal facilities and the implementation of other measures,
the amount of waste disposal in Tokyo has reduced nearly 60% in between 2000 and 2010
(Environment of Tokyo, 2010).
● The amount of industrial solid waste disposal in Tokyo has also reduced from 232 tons in 2000 to Supplementary
116 tons in 2007 (Environment of Tokyo, 2012).
knowledge
Gasification Technology (U.S. Department of Energy, 2012; National
Science Council, Executive Yuan, 2009)

Gasification is the procedure of converting feedstock which

Worries and limitations contains carbon into carbon monoxide and hydrogen by
● The effectiveness of incineration may encourage waste production (Friends of the Earth, conducting a reaction with water vapour under the situation of

2005). a controlled amount of oxygen and high temperature. The gas

● Although the amount of dioxin emitted by the new incinerators in Japan has reduced 83% produced is called syngas which is a kind of fuel that can be used

for generating electricity. Ash produced from the inorganic parts

between 1997 and 2001, air pollution problem still exists. Thus, the Government of Japan
of the feedstock can also be used as fertiliser.
and enterprises discuss the feasibility of using gasification and other advanced thermal
technologies (Kawamoto, 2008; Fujiwara and Ting, 2004).

Let’s think
Do you think Hong Kong can follow Japan to adopt new waste

disposal facilities to deal with waste? What are the advantages

and limitations?

435
3. London, England: Economic incentives to promote waste reduction and recycling

Overview on solid waste

● About 4.81 million tons of solid waste were produced in London in 2009, with 49% being disposed of at landfill, 23% being incinerated and 25% being recycled (Defra,
2011).
● Until 2010, 1.4 million tons of solid waste were disposed in landfills annually(UK Environment Agency, 2012).

In order to tackle solid waste problems, London government motivates the citizens and cooperates with business enterprises. Economic incentives are also
provided to promote waste reduction and recycling, including:

Municipal solid waste charge
programme
● London residents are required to pay solid waste disposal fee according to the taxation system of different districts. For example,
residents have to pay the landfill operators and the government if their solid wastes are disposed of in landfills.
● Take household waste disposal in landfills as an example, landfill tax was originally 18 pounds per ton (HKD $257), but starting from 2003,
the landfill tax of household waste increased by 3 pounds per ton every year. By 2010, the landfill tax had already increased to 40 pounds
per ton. Starting from 2013, the tax will increase by 8 pounds every year (Greater London Authority, 2010; City of London, 2012).

● This fund was established in May 2002, aiming to encourage residents to reduce household waste, and ensure more waste can be
recycled through subsidisation.
● The fund is supported by the UK Government and London Waste Action. From 2002 to 2006, the total funding received was 46.95 million
London Recycling Fund pounds.
● Since its establishment, the fund has supported over 130 recycling projects operated by various administrative divisions
and private waste management companies in London, for example (Greater London Authority, 2004):
- In 2002, the fund allotted 1 million pounds to Tower Hamlets for developing waste separation and recycling plans.
- In 2003, 100,000 pounds was allotted to residents and schools in Kingston for providing recycling services.
- In 2003, 140,000 pounds was allotted to estates in Merton for household waste recycling.
Let’s think
What is the focus of London’s Government measures? Are these

measures applicable in Hong Kong?

436
Effectiveness (Greater London Authority, 2012)
● After the implementation of the solid waste charging programme and the waste
recycling fund, waste disposed of in landfills has reduced 41% since 2006 in London.
● The rate of recycling facilities that are near residential buildings and convenient to
use increased from 53% in 2000/01 to 96% in 2007/08.
● Household waste reduced 11% from 2001 to 2011. Recycling and composting
increased from 9% in 2000/01 to 32% in 2009/10.
Worries and limitations
Charging municipal solid waste reduces waste production but brings the problem of
illegal dumping:
● In order to avoid paying expensive waste charge, some citizens adopt illegal
dumping.
● Illegal dumping causes serious problems, such as weakening the effectiveness of
waste charging, leading to black market of dumping, harming the environment and
contaminating the land.

Experience of solid waste management worldwide: What can Hong Kong learn from them?
According to a World Bank report published in 2012, the worldwide solid waste management strategies can be summarized as reducing waste at source, recycling, incineration,
landfills, and various economic incentives (such as waste charging) (World Bank, 2012). The examples of Taiwan, Tokyo and London demonstrated the characteristics and effectiveness
of these various measures. Students can examine the current solid waste management strategies in Hong Kong and think about what Hong Kong can learn and improve based on
these overseas experiences, for example :
● Can Hong Kong adopt Taiwan Government’s “zero waste” policy to reduce waste at source and recycle?
● Are the modern waste disposal facilities in Japan helpful for Hong Kong to handle solid waste?

437
References:

Legislative Council Secretariat (2005): Management of Municipal Solid Waste in Selected Places.

Tuen Mun District Council and the Islands District Council (2009): Report on Waste Incineration Facilities in Japan.

Environmental Protection Administration Executive Yuan, R.O.C. (Taiwan) (2011): Annual report of recycling in 2010.

Environmental Protection Administration Executive Yuan, R.O.C. (Taiwan) (2011): Waste Reduction at Source and Recycling: Policies.

Environmental Protection Administration Executive Yuan, R.O.C. (Taiwan) (2011): Waste Reduction at Source.
Retrieved from http://www.epa.gov.tw/ch/aioshow.aspx?busin=323&path=7597&guid=10676312-10e9-4ccd-80b9-17dd88302428&lang=zh-tw

Environmental Protection Administration Executive Yuan, R.O.C. (Taiwan) (2011): Waste Management.
Retrieved from http://www.epa.gov.tw/ch/aioshow.aspx?busin=323&path=8476&guid=c16b3f20-b706-4183-aa88-36d8df50c99f&lang=zh-tw

Environmental Protection Administration Executive Yuan, R.O.C. (Taiwan) (2012): Food Waste Recycling.
Retrieved from http://www.epa.gov.tw/ch/aioshow.aspx?busin=331&path=2479&guid=6a9e7153-647b-42df-963a-d417ae2c8909&lang=zh-tw

National Science Council (2009): Oxidation.

438
References:

Department of Environmental Protection, Taipei City Government (2010): Understand Waste Reduction.

National Council for Sustainable Development (2011): Report on Sustainable Development in 2010.

Environmental Protection Administration Executive Yuan, R.O.C. (Taiwan) (2009): 90% Reduction in the Use of Paper Cups in Government Departments and Schools within a Year
and Half.

Institute of Environment and Resources (2011): Current Situation and Trend of Food Waste and Organic Waste Recycling.

Friends of the Earth International (2005.5.12): Is incinerator the solution? Retrieved from http://e-info.org.tw/issue/surround/2005/su05051201.htm

Jonathan Wong (2013.1.14): The Effects of Taiwan’s Success in Waste Reduction on Hong Kong Waste Management Strategies, Liberal Studies TV.

Fujiwara and Ting (2004): Long-term Monitoring System for Emission of Dioxin of Incinerators, Taiwan Japan Environment Forum, 6(1): 38-42.

439
Station 7: Learning activity “What measures should Hong Kong Name:

( )
adopt to cope with municipal solid waste problem in the future?” Class (No.):

Background
As Hong Kong’s municipal solid waste problem has become serious, the three existing landfills will be exhausted by 2014,
2016 and 2018 respectively. In recent years, the Government has been actively implementing various measures to deal with
solid waste problem, including publishing the “Hong Kong Blueprint for Sustainable Use of Resources 2013-2022” in 2013
to systematically tackle solid waste problem and making plans for implementing various measures, such as formulating
policies, waste charging, “Producer Responsibility Scheme”, landfill extensions, developing integrated waste management
facilities and building incinerators, etc.

However, the controversies over how Hong Kong should deal with solid waste problem never ceases. For example, the
proposal of building incinerators and incinerator-based integrated waste management facilities on an artificial island next to
Shek Kwu Chau suggested by the Environment Bureau in January 2008 has aroused much controversy. Some citizens think
that Hong Kong should follow Japan, Singapore and Macau to handle solid waste by incineration and build some of the
incinerators next to residential areas while some other citizens think that waste reduction is a better way to cope with solid
waste problem.
Therefore, this activity aims to guide students through discussing “What measures should Hong Kong adopt to solve the
municipal solid waste problem in the future”, develop their independent thinking and form their opinions.

Objective
The aim of this learning activity is to guide students to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of various solid waste
disposal methods from different perspectives, then consider what methods Hong Kong should adopt to tackle municipal
solid waste problem.

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Procedures

Preparation activity: Green reporter

Section 1: Case study: Should Hong Kong build incinerators?

5 minautes Divide students into 6 groups (6-8 students each group) and distribute Worksheet (1)

20 minutes Students are required to analyse Worksheet (1) and the opinions of different residents, and evaluate the
pros and cons of building incinerators and draft their standpoint.

10 minutes Invite two to three group representatives to share their opinions.

5 minutes Respond to students’ opinions and give a brief summary.

Section 2: Consultant proposal: What methods should Hong Kong adopt to solve municipal solid waste problem?

5 minutes Divide students according to previous grouping and distribute Worksheet (2).

20 minutes Suppose students are consultants hired by the Government. Conduct group discussion using Worksheet
(2) and opinions collected in the preparation activity to design their own consultant proposal.

10 minutes Invite two to three group representatives to present their plans.

5 minutes Respond to students’ opinions and give a comprehensive conclusion.

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Learning activity “What measures should Hong Kong adopt Name:

Class (No.): ( )
to cope with municipal solid waste problem in the future?”
Preparation activity: Green reporter
Until 2011, Hong Kong produced nearly 18,000 tons of solid waste per day that are mainly treated by landfills. However, the three existing landfills will be exhausted by 2020. The Government is planning
to implement various strategies and measures to deal with solid waste problem, including waste charging, “Producer Responsibility Scheme” (PRS), landfills extension, integrated waste management
facilities, incinerators etc. The proposal of building incinerator-based integrated waste management facilities in Shek Kwu Chau aiming to lessen the size and volume of solid waste and prolong the life
spans of the landfills has aroused much controversy in the community.
Suppose you are a reporter and preparing to write a designated report on building incinerators. Please collect relevant information according to the following instructions:
1. Interview at least three different citizens about their opinions on building incinerators and what methods Hong Kong should adopt to mitigate the solid waste problem.
Sample questions:
• Do you know the Government is planning to build incinerators? (If they do not, follow “Overview of the Proposed Incinerator” to explain the general situation.)
• Do you agree to using incinerators to deal with solid waste? Why?
• What method do you prefer to handle solid waste? For instance, waste charging, incinerators, landfill extension, etc.

Overview of the Proposed Incinerator:

The Environmental Protection Department has proposed the integrated waste management facilities in Shek Kwu Chau, and the following is an introduction on the incinerator.
Shek Kwu Chau Integrated Waste Management Facilities
● Incinerator to be built on an artificial island: Reclamation(15.9 hectares) takes place next to Shek Kwu Chau which is 3.5 km from West Cheung Chau to build incinerator- based integrated waste
management facilities.
● They are estimated to be finished in 2018 with capacity of treating 3,000 tons of waste per day.
● In 2008, the Government estimated that the basic construction cost of the facilities would be $4 billion and the management cost would be $250 million per annum.
● The advanced technology of the flexible furnace bed is adopted, conforming to the EU standards and reducing the emission of dioxin and other toxic substances. This technology can effectively
reduce pollutants. For example, in Germany, although the amount of incineration in 2000 doubled that of 1990, the technology reduced the emission of dioxin to 1/1000 in 2000.
● Incinerator is equipped with separation facilities which are able to distinguish useful materials like metal at the final stage. Energy can also be recovered during incineration and the electricity
generated is enough for supporting 100,000 households, reducing the consumption of fossil fuel and carbon emission.

References:
Environmental Protection Department (2011). Explanatory Document about the proposed Integrated Waste Management Facilities.
Retrieved from http://www.epd.gov.hk/epd/sites/default/files/epd/english/environmentinhk/waste/prob_solutions/files/Booklet_IWMF_English.pdf

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 Name:

Class (No.): ( )

Any knowledge on
Identity of the
Government’s incinerator For/Against Opinion(s)
interviewee
proposal (Yes/No)

2. Search on the internet for the following and print relevant information for class discussion:

• International examples of using incinerators to deal with solid waste.

• Opinions for and against building incinerator, one for each side.

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Learning activity “What measures should Hong Kong adopt to Name:

( )
cope with municipal solid waste problem in the future?” Class (No.):

Worksheet (1)
Case study: Should Hong Kong build incinerators?
Please read the following information, discuss with your group members and answer question 1 and 2.
Data 1: Geographic location

Location of Shek Kwu Chau

References :
Environmental Protection Department (2008). Engineering Investigation and Environmental Studies for Integrated Waste Management Facilities Phase 1 – Feasibility Study. Retrieved from
http://www.epd.gov.hk/eia/register/report/eiareport/eia_2012011/ES/ES_PDF/IWMF_ES_English.pdf

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Data 2: Basic information of Wan Chai, Kwun Tong and Tuen Mun

Wan Chai Kwun Tong Tuen Mun

Area (km2) 10.02 11.05 84.45

Population (2011) 152, 608 622,152 487,546

Residential property price in

average per ft2 (HK$) (until late 19,705 9,288 6,373
2012)
Median household income(HK$)
36,150 15,690 18,000
(2011)

References :
Census and Statistics Department (2012). Median Monthly Domestic Household Income of Domestic Households by District Council District and Type of Housing, 2011.
Retrieved from http://www.census2011.gov.hk/en/main-table/E205.html
Census and Statistics Department (2012). Women and Men in Hong Kong. Key Statistics. Retrieved from http://www.statistics.gov.hk/pub/B11303032012AN12B0100.pdf

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 After considering the following factors, the Government has decided to build the first integrated waste management facilities on
the artificial island adjacent to Shek Kwu Chau:
• Building the integrated waste management facilities in southwest Hong Kong can balance the overall distribution of facilities
• The artificial island near Shek Kwu Chau is closer to the waste transfer stations in east Hong Kong Island, west Hong Kong Island
and Kowloon Island
• The site is far away from the crowded areas, bringing few health impacts to the community
• Integrated waste management facilities, and the proposed educational and community facilities, can bring economic benefits to the
neighboring islands especially Cheung Chau
Representative of the
Environmental Protection
Department
We are worried that the tourism in Cheung Chau and other islands will be greatly affected after building the incinerator. The local
economy of Cheung Chau depends on tourism. Although the incinerator can create job opportunities, only few are benefited.
In addition, the reclamation plan of the artificial island will also affect the livelihood of fishermen. Cheung Chau residents are
worried about their livelihoods and health, thus they opposed to the construction in Shek Kwu Chau.
Likewise, facilities which influence the environment and residents’ lives have already been built in Tuen Mun, so residents refuse
to have one more incinerator there.
Therefore, we recommend speeding up waste reduction at source and enhancing the promotion of incineration facilities and
technologies, letting citizens know more about incinerators and get rid of their misunderstanding.

Representative of the District

Council

At present, waste reduction at source and recycling are far from enough, therefore, we stand firm on the following views:
Instead of building incinerators, we should reduce waste at source, implement waste charging according to the amount and
improve the municipal solid waste separation recycling system. Moreover, as dioxin is emitted in the process of incineration, the
environment is severely affected regardless of the location. And, as reclamation and the construction of submarine cables are
needed, the surrounding marine ecosystems will be affected. If the Government will consider building incinerators in the future,
the Environmental Impact Assessment Reports should be carefully studied. Advanced incineration technology should be also
adopted to reduce dioxin emission.

Representative of
environmental groups Sources: Collections from newspapers

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1.) Based on the information above, analyse opinions of people from different groups on building incinerator.

For Against Reasons

Representative of
the Environmental
Protection Department

Representative of the
District Council

Representative of
environmental groups

2.) Based on the information above, list out the benefits and costs of building incinerator.

Benefits Costs

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3.) Based on our discussion and the benefits and costs above, our group has decided to:
□ support the incinerator construction.
□ conditionally support the incinerator construction. Condition(s):

□ oppose the incinerator construction.

Reason(s):

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Learning activity “What measures should Hong Kong adopt to Name:

( )
cope with municipal solid waste problem in the future?” Class (No.):

Worksheet (2)
Answer question 1 and 2 according to the Preparation activity, Worksheet (1) and the following information.

Waste reduction at source policies implemented by the government

• “Waste Reduction Framework Plan” Initiative was implemented in 1998 to establish various waste reduction measures.
• “Product Eco-responsibility Ordinance” was enacted in 2007 to provide a legal basis for implementing PRS.
• “Building (Refuse Storage and Material Recovery Chambers and Refuse Chutes) Regulations” was amended in 2008, requiring all new residential buildings and
the residential parts of integrated buildings to have refuse storage and material recovery chambers (not less than 1.5x1.5 meters) set up on each floor to provide
adequate space for recycling facilities to cooperate with the implementation of waste separation at source.
• From February to May 2013, a public consultation over mandatory PRS of glass beverage bottles was held.
• “Hong Kong Blueprint for Sustainable Use of Resources 2013-2022” was published in 2013, explaining the strategies, goals, policies, measures and time schedule of
Hong Kong solid waste management in the next ten years.

References:

Environmental Protection Department (2012): Hong Kong’s Environment: Waste. Retrieved from http://www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/environmentinhk/waste/waste_maincontent.html
Environmental Protection Department (2012): Recovery and Recycling of Waste Glass Bottles in Hong Kong. Retrieved from https://www.wastereduction.gov.hk/sites/default/files/wr_glass.pdf
Environment Bureau (2013): Hong Kong: Blueprint for Sustainable Use of Resources 2013-2022. http://www.enb.gov.hk/en/files/WastePlan-E.pdf

Results of the interviews on waste charging conducted by The Chinese University of Hong Kong
The Hong Kong Institute of Asia-Pacific Studies in CUHK conducted telephone interviews with 965 citizens in Jan 2012, collecting information about the attitude
towards the implementation of waste charging, the results are shown below:
• About 60% of respondents approved the waste charging, but 40% of them worried about its feasibility;
• Around 30% of respondents supported charging based on the usage of specified garbage bags, 20% of respondents preferred charging on the
industrial and business sector only, and only 10% of respondents supported fixed charge and proxy system;
• The Government is suggested to implement partial charging first and expand it later when a certain level of effectiveness is achieved.
Reference:

Hong Kong Institute of Asia-Pacific Studies of The Chinese University of Hong Kong (2012.1): Summary of the Survey Results of Attitudes and Opinions of the Public about Solid Waste Charge. Retrieved
from http://www.cuhk.edu.hk/hkiaps/tellab/pdf/telepress/12/Press_Release_20120131.pdf

449
Charming City Daily XX/XX/XX
A representative of the Environmental Protection Department said that the aim of waste charging was to give citizens pressure on waste disposal, so citizens would be
willing to produce less waste. But various measures like turning waste into energy and recycling should be run in parallel. On the other hand, some recyclers also pointed
out that Mainland started to limit plastics import at the beginning of the year. As a result, some plastics recycling factories closed down. The Government was suggested
to develop a comprehensive recycling system.

Hang Tan Daily XX/XX/XX

Recently, the Government is actively implementing mandatory PRS, and has carried out a consultation over mandatory PRS of glass beverage bottles in early 2013.
Some scholars have pointed out that the implementation of PRS may encounter a number of difficulties. For example, citizens and enterprises may not support it, the
arrangement details of the implementation may have problems, and it may bring economic burden to small-scaled enterprises and low-income families. Moreover,
whether “PRS” can achieve charging polluters based on their proportions of responsibility and not being treated as an additional tax is a crucial issue.

Facebook of little sea eagle

Little sea eagle:

Why are you putting up photos of incinerators?

Photographer:

Don’t you know an incinerator will be built in Shek Kwu Chau?

Little sea eagle:

Is Shek Kwu Chau the place where we hiked and took pictures of white-bellied sea eagles? Building an incinerator there will scare them away!

Photographer:

Yes and the construction may cause air pollution as well. They will turn from white to black.

Little white dolphin:

More than that! It may also affect the water quality! Not only the fishermen will suffer, but we may no longer be able to see Chinese white
dolphins.

450
 Waste reduction at source is currently the priority of our waste management policies, but concerning the fact that the amount of
waste is increasing, we have to consider landfill extension and building incinerator in order to cope with the huge amount of solid
waste. At present, no other countries or regions in the world would cross incinerators out from their waste management facilities.
Moreover, incineration facilities are able to generate electricity and the advanced technologies can minimise pollution, so citizens
should not treat it as a plague.
However, even if the proposal of building incinerator is accepted by the Legislative Council, it takes time to build it. Therefore,
Environment landfill extension is inevitable.
Protection
Department

Although some people worry that citizens will put household waste on the streets after the implementation of waste charge, we
believe that most citizens will abide by the law. And, the worry about illegal actions should not be an excuse for not implementing
waste charging as they are unavoidable. The Government should also use the fees collected to promote waste reduction and recycling.

Environmental
groups

Landfill extension is not easy as landfills are obnoxious facilities which emit odour, affecting the surrounding landscape and the
price of surrounding properties adversely. Although in recent years the Government has learnt from Taiwan to implement waste
charging, it should be noticed that Taiwan had spent 10 years on planning and developing a comprehensive recycling system. The
Government still has not developed a detailed planning on waste charging and a comprehensive recycling system, so it is difficult
for Hong Kong to imitate Taiwan now.
Scholars

We worry that people will dump waste illegally after the implementation of waste charging. Property management companies may increase
the management fee by saying that more security guards are needed to monitor the situation. All the Government does is implementing these
charges to increase our burden. We are doubtful whether waste reduction can be achieved but these measures undoubtedly annoy us.

Citizens
Sources: Collections from newspapers

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Suppose you are a consultant employed by the Government to study the measures that Hong Kong should adopt to cope with municipal solid waste problem in the future and to provide
suggestions. Try to prepare a consultant proposal based on the public opinions and other information.

1.) Public opinions on measures which Hong Kong should adopt to cope with solid waste problem

Please organise public opinions collected from Preparation Activity in the following table.

Number of interviewees :

Measures: Measures: Measures:

Reasons: Reasons: Reasons:

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2.) According to information on worksheets, public opinions and information collected from the internet, provide suggestions on measures that Hong Kong should
adopt to cope with municipal solid waste problem in the future.

453
Station 8: Revision worksheet Name:

Fill in the blanks:

Class (No.): ( )

1. Solid waste refers to

2. “4R” principle refers to

3.

encourage citizens and different sectors to take the environmental responsibility together, change living habits, reduce solid
waste disposal.

4. The Hong Kong Government pointed out that the building of integrated waste management facilities includes

5. The suggestion of landfill extension faces

and

other hindrances.

．．．next

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Short questions:

1. What environmental problems will occur if solid waste cannot be managed effectively? How would this affect our living
standard? Explain with examples.

2. List three measures which Hong Kong is currently adopting to manage solid waste. Put them in order according to their level of effectiveness
and provide reasons.

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Reflection worksheet Name:

Use the following comic and questions to guide students to reflect whether they have produced and disposed excessive amount of solid Class (No.): ( )
waste in daily lives and whether they are willing to sacrifice for reducing solid waste.

Teaching tips
Teachers can use this worksheet to help students reflect

whether they attribute to solid waste problem in daily lives

and think about if they are willing to reduce waste production.

Teachers can also discuss with students what habits they prefer

to change to reduce solid waste production, help them reflect

their own responsibilities and how much they are willing to

sacrifice.

Questions:

1. Please illustrate the above comic.

2. If the same situation happens in real life, do you think you attribute to this situation? Explain.

3. To avoid this, we have to tackle the problem at source. List three habits which you think you have to change in daily life. Examine what effects
and prices would be brought by these changes and whether you are willing to do so.

456