The following is the question raised by the Hon. Leung Yiu-chung and the written reply given by the Acting Secretary for Planning, Environment and Lands, Mr Patrick Lau, in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):
Question :
Regarding the recent call by waste paper collectors for assistance from the Government, will the Government inform this Council:
(a) of the details regarding the Government assistance sought by waste paper collectors; and
(b) of the cost incurred on average by the Administration, including the land development costs of the relevant landfills, for disposing of every tonne of waste paper by means of landfill.
Reply :
Madam President,
(a) During recent meetings with the Administration, representatives from the waste paper industry have made a number of requests for Government assistance. These may be summarized as follows:
* stop import of waste paper;
* provide direct subsidies of $200 per tonne of waste paper;
* take over the Concordia waste paper mill, and establish a fund with the profits gained to assist the industry;
* waive charges at public cargo working areas;
* reduce diesel fuel tax and vehicle licence fees;
* reduce electricity charges;
* urge exporters to disclose export prices;
* negotiate with a private company, owned by mainland authorities, to lower their import inspection charges for waste paper;
* establish a fund to support the market price of waste paper;
* provide interest-free or low interest loans;
* provide land for temporary storage of waste paper;
* provide land at low rates/rents for storing and baling paper waste;
* give preference to waste collectors applying to the Special Finance Scheme for Small to Medium Enterprises;
* establish pilot trial waste paper collection centres;
* set up a centralised waste-handling centre;
* provide paper collection bins or cages;
* introduce waste paper recycling schemes similar to those overseas; and
* give policy support to the recycling industry.
The Administration is using a number of criteria to assess the demands :
* it should not take action to help one sector if that damages a different sector of the industry;
* any measures must be consistent with environmental, economic, trade, competition and fiscal policies;
* they should conform to our international trade obligations under the World Trade Organisation;
* the Administration will not interfere in private business relationships; and
* legal requirements cannot be ignored.
(b) The average cost incurred by the Administration for disposing of all municipal solid waste, including waste paper, at the landfills was $830 per tonne in 1997, as shown in the following breakdown:
Collection and transportation $370
Capital and operation costs of Refuse
Transfer Stations (RTS) $250
Capital and operation costs of strategic
landfills $110
Opportunity cost of land for the three
existing strategic landfills $90
EPD management cost at RTSs and
strategic landfills $10
----
Total $830
End/Wednesday, January 13, 1999
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