The city's flagship recycling base, Eco Park, remains largely barren 10 months after leases were awarded to three recyclers - with no sign that construction is about to begin.
One plastics recycler had its tenancy terminated before even moving into the park, while the other two - which recycle tyres and wooden boards - have yet to submit building plans.
According to the terms laid down by the Environmental Protection Department, tenants that fail to initiate recycling activities within a year of signing the lease risk being kicked out of the park.
The government wants the 20-hectare Eco Park in Tuen Mun to become the city's base for value-added recycling to help take pressure off landfill sites.
In 2006, the city dumped more than 3 million tonnes of waste in landfills and recovered more than 2 million tonnes through recycling. But most of the recovered waste still needs to be exported overseas for genuine recycling.
About HK$320 million has been spent on the site's infrastructure and a property-management company has been appointed to run the site - yet the only occupants are a few security and administrative staff.
Last May, the three recyclers - tyre recycler Jets Technics, plastic recycler Telford Envirotech, and Hung Wai Wooden Board - were awarded three sites for 10 years.