Chemical waste allegedly found stored in nine Hong Kong recycling sites without approval
City’s environmental protection watchdog vowed prosecutions against those involved
A joint departmental operation found a large quantity of chemical waste had been allegedly collected and stored in nine recycling sites in the New Territories without approval, with Hong Kong’s environmental protection watchdog vowing to launch prosecutions against the relevant parties.
The crackdown, named “Operation Dawn”, led to the seizure of some 3,500 pieces of LCDs, with an estimated market export value of HK$2 million, through ambushes conducted between September 26 and October 4.
The Environmental Protection Department (EPD), which led the operation, said it was investigating the people involved and gathering evidence for further prosecutions.
“Any person who collects, stores, disposes of, imports or exports chemical waste must apply for a permit from the EPD,” a spokesman for the department said, adding that none of the nine recycling sites concerned has obtained the required approval.
While general use and normal selling of LCD monitors would not constitute danger, the collection, storage, dismantling and disposal of a large quantity of such waste could cause pollution or affect health, as they contain heavy metals, such as mercury and cadmium, as well as toxic organic compounds, the department warned.