Recycling is not a problem Hong Kong can dump on China now

The problem of Hong Kong’s mounting waste made headlines in September when its recycling companies abruptly stopped collecting waste paper, after mainland China began to impose restrictions on waste imports. The logjam eased after restrictions were temporarily lifted, but we need to prepare for greater challenges when mainland China stops accepting 24 types of foreign waste by year’s end.

More than 90 per cent of our recyclables are exported to the mainland. When China shuts its doors later this month, recyclers are too optimistic if they think they can export recyclables to other Asian countries. Foreign recyclers, subsidised by their governments, will also turn to countries like Vietnam and the Philippines. And they can offer lower prices than we can.

The Environment Bureau has announced three main measures recently to reduce waste: from February, vending machines at government premises will stop selling plastic bottled water of 1 litre or less; a guideline for waste reduction has been launched for event organisers of eight major community events, including the Lunar New Year fair; just this week, it launched a campaign asking the public to recycle three types of paper (cardboard, newspapers and office paper) and two types of plastics (containers for drinks and personal care products).

I welcome the first two, which will raise public awareness and trigger further action to tackle our waste problems. But more steps are needed to achieve the desired waste reduction outcomes, and I am concerned that the last measure will leave even more recyclable materials in our landfills.