Environmentalists, business groups and professional bodies disagreed yesterday over how Hong Kong should deal with its mounting waste crisis - especially whether, and when, incineration should be employed.
More than 120 groups and individuals presented their views at a legislature hearing on the waste strategy outlined by the Environmental Protection Department. It includes building a HK$14.9 billion waste incinerator on Shek Kwu Chau capable of handling 3,000 tonnes of waste a day, and HK$8 billion to build more landfill dumps.
Most participants supported charging households and businesses for waste disposal, which is currently the subject of a public consultation, but were divided over incineration.
The prospect of a landfill dump close to their homes raised opposition from dozens of Tseung Kwan O residents.
Environment Secretary Edward Yau Tang-wah defended incineration, calling it indispensable to the city's strategy for dealing with rubbish, since landfills alone would not be sustainable.
Hong Kong had raised its recycling rate to 52 per cent, which was better than London, he noted.