Hong Kong's municipal solid waste levels continue to rise annually, with nearly 20,000 metric tons generated daily and an average daily waste disposal rate of 1.47 kilograms per person. This places a heavy burden on landfills, which are nearing capacity. The Legislative Council recently resumed the second reading of the Waste Disposal (Municipal Solid Waste Charging) (Amendment) Bill 2018, passing it with 37 votes in favor and 1 against. This means that once the bill is officially implemented, citizens will need to purchase designated garbage bags to legally dispose of their waste. When will garbage charging take effect? How will the charges be calculated?
Garbage charging is expected to be implemented in 2023
Following the approval of the garbage charging scheme, the Hong Kong government plans to set a formal implementation date after an 18-month preparatory period and the Legislative Council's approval. The charging scheme is expected to be implemented as early as 2023. Citizens will then be required to purchase designated garbage bags at HK$0.11 per liter when disposing of garbage, food waste, and household waste.
18-month preparation period to help citizens adapt
Secretary for the Environment Wong Kam-sing stated that after the ordinance is passed, there will be an 18-month preparatory period. During this period, the government will distribute free garbage bags to the public to help them adapt. Simultaneously, efforts will be made to strengthen community waste reduction and recycling, promote public education and publicity, and assist businesses in addressing food waste issues. Furthermore, the initial period after the formal implementation of the charging scheme will be an "adaptation period," during which warnings will be issued to offenders through moderate enforcement, though enforcement action will be taken for serious
Details of the Garbage Levy Scheme
According to government information, during the first three years of the implementation of MSW charging, the charge for designated garbage bags will be set at HK$0.11 per litre, and people receiving Comprehensive Social Security Assistance will receive a monthly subsidy of HK$10. There are two charging methods for garbage collection: "per bag" and "per quantity". Large garbage that cannot be properly packed in designated garbage bags (such as furniture) will be charged a flat rate of HK$11 per item, and residents must affix designated labels before disposing of such garbage. Details of the two MSW charging methods are as follows:
1. Charges based on designated garbage bags/designated labels
Municipal solid waste will be charged using prepaid designated garbage bags. Residents must purchase government-designated garbage bags to dispose of their household waste. Residents can choose from nine sizes of garbage bags: 3, 5, 10, 15, 20, 35, 50, 75 and 100 litres. The suggested charges for each size are as follows:
|
capacity |
Price (including garbage bag fee and garbage collection fee) |
|
3 liters |
HK$0.33 |
|
5 liters |
HK$0.55 |
|
10 liters |
HK$1.1 |
|
15 liters |
HK$1.65 |
|
20 liters |
HK$2.2 |
|
35 liters |
HK$3.85 |
|
50 liters |
HK$5.5 |
|
75 liters |
HK$8.25 |
|
100 liters |
HK$11 |
Designated garbage bags and designated labels required for disposing of large garbage will be equipped with anti-counterfeiting features. Citizens can purchase them at about 4,000 authorized sales points, including supermarkets, convenience stores, petrol stations, post offices and vending machines; they can also be purchased through government-authorized online platforms.
2. "Gate Fee" based on the weight of waste
For waste collected by private waste collectors using non-compression refuse trucks, a gate fee will be levied based on the weight of the waste disposed of at landfills or refuse transfer stations. This charging model mainly applies to large or irregularly shaped waste disposed of by commercial and industrial premises. The gate fee for the relevant landfills and refuse transfer stations is HK$365 per tonne.
Violators are subject to a maximum fine of HK$50,000
After the adjustment period, the government will adopt a risk-based approach to strict enforcement. These measures include issuing fixed penalty notices of $1,500 to offenders caught on the spot. If prosecuted, offenders face a maximum fine of $25,000 and six months' imprisonment for a first conviction, and a maximum fine of $50,000 and six months' imprisonment for a subsequent conviction. The Environmental Protection Department will also set up a hotline regarding the "waste levy" to answer public enquiries and receive complaints and reports of violations.
Home appliances can be recycled
The Environmental Protection Department is actively developing a new community recycling network, "Green Every District," which includes nine "Recycling Stations," 22 "Convenient Recycling Points," and over 100 scheduled "Mobile Recycling Points." The service area has been expanded to all 18 districts of Hong Kong. As mentioned above, under the new garbage charging system, large waste that cannot be properly packaged in designated garbage bags will be charged on a per-item basis.
Therefore, if you wish to dispose of your home electrical appliances, you may wish to refer to the information provided by the Environmental Protection Department and hand in your recyclable items to 22 Convenient Recycling Points and over 100 Mobile Recycling Points across Hong Kong.