70% of Hongkongers not confident over successful waste-charging scheme roll-out in August, more than 50% urge delay: survey
- Think tank New Youth Forum says only 13 per cent of 1,032 interviewees support scheme, which was pushed back twice since last December to August 1
- Survey points to concerns over lack of recycling facilities and consultation with public
About 70 per cent of residents are not confident about the successful roll-out of a waste-charging scheme in August, with more than half urging the government to postpone it, a think tank study has found.
The New Youth Forum on Saturday said only 13 per cent of 1,032 interviewees supported the scheme, which was pushed back twice since last December to August 1.
The survey found that respondents who had a habit of recycling were more supportive, whereas those who indicated they had never or rarely recycled would approve of a further postponement.
Nearly 400 people said that the government should consider postponing the scheme for another six months to one year, while 380 were looking to delay up to two years.
The think tank said most members of the public agreed waste needed to be reduced, but the main controversy was centred on how and when the government planned to implement its scheme.
“Hong Kong [residents] have reached consensus on the need to reduce waste and recycling, but the key is whether there are enough supporting facilities to go along the scheme,” it said.