Green groups say new waste charge law lacks clarity on exemptions like beach clean-up crews
- Details of who is entitled to free plastic bags for clean-ups will not be written into the legislative bill for the law, to come into force in 2020
- Environmental groups fear plastic bag charges could have a negative effect on clean-up efforts
Volunteer beach clean-up crews could be exempted from having to buy their own rubbish bags when a municipal waste charging scheme comes into effect in late 2020 – but questions remain as to who or what groups are eligible.
Beach and coastal clean-ups, often mobilised spontaneously, are common in Hong Kong because of the large amounts of marine refuse that regularly washes up on the city’s shores, especially after storms.
Under a new waste charging scheme, most of the city’s rubbish must be disposed of in government-mandated plastic bags, with the smallest three litre bags priced at 30 cents, and the largest 100 litre ones priced at HK$11. Waste dumped in any other receptacle will be illegal.
The government may supply designated bags for free to any person or organisation as necessary, having regard to the nature of the event
Concerns had been raised by some green groups as to whether volunteers would have to buy their own bags as would be required under new laws, which aims to promote a “polluter pays” ethos.
Responding to Post queries, the Environmental Protection Department said government departments already provided free rubbish bags to volunteers engaged in such activities at government venues such as gazetted beaches, and hinted this arrangement could continue.
“Under the [legislative amendment], the government may supply designated bags for free to any person or organisation as necessary, having regard to the nature of the event, the need to upkeep the ‘polluter pays’ principles, and other relevant factors,” a spokesman said.
But, the spokesman did not say whether the arrangements had been discussed with the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department – which would have to buy them from the EPD and supply them for free – or where volunteers would deposit the waste for collection.
