In the rising tide of waste in our community, Deputy Secretary for Planning, Environment and Lands, Mr. Kim Salkeld had today (Monday) called for a dynamic public involvement in the waste management process so as to build a powerful partnership to sustain the quality of life in our common home.
Speaking at the Waste Management International Conference and Exhibition, Mr. Salkeld said that Hong Kong faced exactly the same problem as many other Asian cities of an increase in waste from a population growing in size and affluence. At the moment this was being managed, but looking ahead, change was needed if waste was to be managed properly in future.
Mr. Salkeld said: "Our mountains of waste are being built by design, not by default. They don't threaten our health or clog up our streets."
"We have capacity to manage our waste today, but where will the next valley for the next landfill come from?" he questioned.
He said that measures are being introduced to increase separation, reuse and recycling of materials.
"But will this significantly reduce the problem of waste that has to be disposed of as the population increases, and as GDP increases?"
He said that the Government has managed to dispose waste hygienically but our city's appearance and hygiene are still besmirched with litter and waste.
"We have done some splendid engineering, brought in some wonderful new equipment, but we have not changed people's behaviour."
"In ensuring that waste does not become a serious drain upon this city, the fundamental need is for a change in the minds and habits of every citizen, business and public service agency."
To bring about this change, price mechanisms were a key instrument.
"Putting a price on waste puts a value onto materials that might otherwise be wasted. It also puts a value onto individual's behaviour," he said.
Most people assume that they pay for their waste through rates and management fees.
"Apart from the fact that many do not pay rates, the charge has no relation whatsoever to the amount of waste they produce," Mr. Salkeld explained.
"The environmentally conscientious and economically efficient are not rewarded with lower charges, and the profligate not warned by higher costs," he said, adding that while many pay for their waste to be collected, none see the cost of disposal.
Subject to the approval by the Legislature later this year, a single department responsible for municipal cleansing and waste collection will be created and placed under the responsibility of a single bureau.
The new bureau will be directing policy for the Environmental Protection Department, the agency that manages waste disposal.
"Beyond a simple co-ordinating role, the new bureau will be promoting policies designed to focus every public agency, every business, every citizen, on the conservation, recovery and reuse of resources."
Mr. Salkeld said he was encouraged by the statements that are beginning to be made by various parties and business groups, joining the voices of environmental NGOs in favour of measure like landfill charges.
"I look forward to working with all those groups and others, to build understanding of the value of such pricing mechanisms, and to win acceptance for their introduction."
Noticing that there is considerable public interest in waste recycling in schools, through initiatives by residents of housing estates, local businesses and Provisional District Boards, he saw that as an indispensable part of environmental stewardship.
But he noted that even if Hong Kong were able to raise the recovery and recycling rate for paper, plastics, metal and glass to 100 per cent, this would only be able to reduce the volume of municipal waste by about a quarter.
"We will have to ensure that facilities like waste-to-energy incinerators are built to reduce the volume of waste substantially."
He described quality waste management as a great opportunity for Hong Kong. "Good waste management doesn't just protect health, it makes the city look better for residents and visitors".
It also provided jobs, and was a service that Hong Kong could offer to others, he noted.
End/Monday, September 20, 1999
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