Reduce waste, but also prepare for incinerator
I refer to R. E. J. Bunker's letter ('Island incinerator will not use Japan's clean-burn technology', March 3).
Mr Bunker suggested that in future we would just 'tow everything as far away as possible, and burn the lot'. This is not the case.
The government has been working closely with the community to promote waste separation. This involves installing waste separation facilities at residential, commercial and industrial buildings and engaging non-government organisations in promoting behavioural change.
About 80 per cent of our population is served by waste separation bins. Our recycling rate increased from 43 per cent in 2005 to 49 per cent in 2009. Tokyo's recycling rate is about 23 per cent.
Our new target is to raise our rate to 55 per cent by 2015, through stepping up on-site food waste recycling at community level, more vigorous programmes to promote waste recovery, and legislating on electrical and electronic waste and Phase II of the plastic bag levy under the Product Responsibility Scheme.
We will also consult the public on the introduction of charging for municipal solid waste.