Hong Kong must act now to solve its waste problem

After years of discussion, fact-finding and consultation, there is finally light at the end of the tunnel for Hong Kong's waste disposal dilemma. A Council for Sustainable Development subcommittee has determined that household garbage would be best dealt with through pre-paid bags with fees based on volume, as happens in Taiwan. It is a sound idea that has still to go through several stages of approval if it is to become law. However, if all goes smoothly, it could be implemented as soon as 2016. With landfills on the verge of capacity, other viable measures on hold and a charging scheme inevitable, every effort has to be made to put the proposal into practice to head off a crisis.

First, though, the recommendation has to get the full council's endorsement at a meeting next month. A final report then has to be drawn up and forwarded to the Environment Bureau so that a policy and draft law can be formulated. Legislators will then have their say. There can be stumbles at any stage of the process; public opinion is a factor at all times.

After having free garbage collection for so long, some people will resist paying. A voluntary recycling scheme has similarly met with widespread lack of interest. Not-in-my-backyard syndrome has meant that plans to expand landfills and build incinerators are stalled. Hong Kong is running out of options and charging is a proven way of reducing waste and promoting a recycling culture.

The pre-paid garbage bag is considered the fairest way as households pay by the amount of rubbish they dispose of. But the design of the bags, how they are collected and in what sizes they are made available are matters that need careful consideration and trialing. The subcommittee's suggestion that there be a transition period to iron out problems is a good idea. But even then, as a pilot scheme of various proposals at Amoy Gardens in Kowloon Bay proved, there can be confusion, teething problems and a simple lack of interest; the amount of garbage disposed of fell only moderately during the six-month study. A recycling culture and less wasteful society will come about more quickly through government-led education.

Changing mindsets takes time - even 10 years after charging had been introduced in Taiwan, 10 per cent of households were still not complying. Our garbage problem is at crisis point and enough discussion about what to do has been done. It's time to stop talking and start taking action.