Hong Kong litter louts must pay far heavier price for selfish behaviour

Fines for littering are no longer a sufficient deterrent in Hong Kong, according to government officials aiming to increase penalties for the first time in nearly two decades.

The administration submitted a paper to the Legislative Council on Wednesday arguing that fines for public hygiene offences should be doubled to HK$3,000 (US$385).

Higher penalties would also apply for spitting, failing to pick up pet waste, posting bills without permission and throwing rubbish into the sea, while businesses that illegally extend shopfronts or dump construction debris could face fines up to four times higher than they are now.

Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu seems to be making good on his maiden policy address pledge to review statutory powers and penalties regarding environmental hygiene. His government is already four months into a campaign to rid the city of waste and rodents. At least 75 per cent of about 600 hygiene black spots are targeted to be cleaned up by next year under the scheme.

The clean-up programme and proposal to raise fines for littering are welcome signs that authorities are seizing the momentum of a public reawakening about a need for cleanliness driven by the pandemic. But attention spans are short and Hong Kong has been here before.

Current fines for littering and spitting were imposed in 2003 following an outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome (Sars). It was part of the government’s Team Clean campaign, which ultimately failed in its goal of making Hong Kong “Asia’s cleanest city”.

While the new team’s commitment is commendable, key performance indicators and measurable targets are needed to ensure long-term results. Authorities must do more than warn about higher fines for littering, and educate Hongkongers about the health benefits of keeping the city clean and the importance of waste reduction and recycling.

Providing sufficient rubbish collection areas should be part of the plan, especially as the government phases out some recycling collection points.

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Psychologists, who studied littering behaviour in the United States, found that when rubbish bins are plentiful, and surrounding areas kept clean, people are far more likely to throw items away properly. A further challenge will be ensuring enforcement that is adequate, consistent and fair.

Some in the community have raised concerns about the burden of increased fines while the economy is still reeling from the pandemic. But penalties being “unaffordable” is the point.

The government argues that with a cumulative inflation rate of about 60 per cent since fines were introduced nearly 20 years ago, existing penalties are “obviously insufficient” as a deterrent.

If a cleaner environment is not enough of a carrot to convince litter louts to clean up their act, it is well past time to use a bigger stick.