Waste charging scheme to be mandatory in Hong Kong, but 14-year delay casts doubt on hitting lower rubbish targets for 2022
- Environment minister announces bill to be tabled, but green groups fret about political speed bumps as implementation delayed to late 2020 at least
Hong Kong is finally pushing ahead with a mandatory waste charging scheme, but it will be delayed for at least a year, throwing into doubt the government’s municipal rubbish reduction targets for 2022.
But implementation, Wong conceded, would be delayed to late 2020 at least and legislative scrutiny would fall during district council election campaign season, raising concerns from green groups about political speed bumps that could further derail the timetable.
“The implementation of municipal solid waste charging sits at the centre of our overall waste reduction strategy,” Wong said, insisting it was more about direction than timing. “It will provide the necessary financial incentives to drive behavioural and cultural changes and … reduce waste disposal effectively.”
Wong said there was public support for the scheme, and most trades and residents found the charging mode and mechanisms “agreeable” while admitting that the work ahead would be challenging.