Hung Hom recycling scheme faces closure over high costs
Unless Hung Hom initiative to reprocess rubbish gets more government aid, it may have to shut due to hefty cost increases in rent and insurance
A community-based rubbish recycling scheme warned yesterday that sharp increases in its insurance and rent costs may doom the project - and others like it - unless it can get more funds from the government.
The recycling scheme is based in Hung Hom and run by the Ever Green Association. Its insurance fees for workers' injury and compensation had increased more than 16 times - from HK$5,000 to HK$90,000 - in the past 18 months, said the association's executive secretary, Virginia Ip Chiu-ping.
Rent at the project's base had risen from HK$18,000 in 2010 to HK$30,000, Ip said. These costs could eat up half of the HK$1.2 million in funding the project was awarded 18 months ago from the government's Environment and Conservation Fund.
"We feel as if the fund is being robbed, and there is nothing we can do to resist," said Yip. "Now most of our funding and income goes to the landlord."
The Hung Hom project helps nearby residents separate their rubbish, to promote recycling, and provides collection services for plastic recyclables.
Dr William Yu Yuen-ping, a member of the Environment and Conservation Fund's vetting committee, said committee members were aware of the situation facing agencies like Ip's.
"It is not an isolated phenomenon, but is beyond the control of the fund," he said. "However, we are trying our best to help these agencies."
