Difficulty: Summiteer (Level 3)

Hong Kong has been running a trial of a waste-charging scheme that is set to officially start in August. But trial participants say there are not enough bins for food scraps, and their limited operating hours may prompt people to throw away the recyclable material as rubbish.

The trial is expected to gauge the city’s readiness for the official start of the scheme. It will require all residents to throw out their rubbish in government-approved bags. They are available in nine sizes costing 30 HK cents to HK$11. An HK$11 label is also available for large or oddly shaped items.

The trial involved 14 sites, including public housing estates, private residential buildings, care homes and eateries.

Genius Court, a private residential estate in Kowloon City, joined the trial.

Due to the lack of food waste recycling bins in the area, a food waste collection truck visits the neighbourhood from 7.30pm to 9.30pm every day.

Ng Po-keung, a district councillor for Kowloon City, said residents hoped the food waste collection operating hours could be extended. He added: “They need more recycling spots for food waste ... Residents may need to walk seven to eight blocks to reach the truck.”

Quiz time

1. What is the purpose of the trial of Hong Kong’s waste-charging scheme?

2. What feedback was given by participants in the trial run?

3. How many locations joined the waste-charging scheme trial?

4. Why does a food waste collection truck need to visit the neighbourhood near Genius Court?

Suggested answers

1. to gauge the city’s readiness for the official start of the scheme in August

2. An insufficient number of bins for food scraps and their limited operating hours may prompt Hongkongers to throw away the recyclable material as rubbish.

3. 14 locations

4. because there are no food waste recycling bins in the area