Hong Kong should delay waste-charging scheme until spring to prevent garbage build-up over Christmas, Lunar New Year breaks: industry group
- Industry body warns plan to introduce garbage bag levy in December could face setbacks over shortage of garbage disposal workers ahead of holiday peak season
- ‘It would be mission impossible for the industry to recruit additional manpower to handle work related to the garbage levy during this period,’ it says
Hong Kong should wait until spring to introduce a waste-charging scheme as the city does not have enough sanitation workers to handle an expected peak in demand over the Christmas and Lunar New Year holidays, an industry group has said.
Authorities plan to introduce an 11 HK cent (US$0.01) charge for government-designated garbage bags at the end of the year, after the Legislative Council passed an amendment to the Waste Disposal Ordinance in 2021.
The Environmental Services Contractors Alliance on Friday said it did not have the manpower or time to prepare for the scheme’s intended launch in December.
“The government has not publicised or educated the public on any specific implementation models regarding garbage collection since the legislation passed in 2021,” the group said. “If the government insists on implementing it by the end of 2023, we are afraid we will be unable to cooperate, thus creating confusion.”
The alliance represents seven business groups and about 200 companies, which cover services such as recycling and pest control.