Hong Kong must not kick the waste reduction can down the road

Every society that introduced waste charges faced difficulties. But sustainable waste management is critical and cannot be postponed indefinitely

Bernard Chan

Published: 9:30am, 14 Jun 2024

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Good waste management is critical for a modern, developed economy. It is essential to achieving long-term sustainability, enhancing urban development, improving residents’ quality of life, safeguarding public health, protecting the environment and aligning with international commitments.

Therefore, I was disappointed to learn of the government’s recent decision to postpone the city’s scheme to charge for waste disposal. The plan now is to spend more time reviewing procedures and evaluating community readiness, reporting on the progress to the Legislative Council towards the middle of next year.

Considering the mounting public pressure and feedback after the recent trial at 14 locations, I understand the government’s reasoning and decision – the economy is under strain and many people are struggling.

Hong Kong’s unique geographic, demographic and economic characteristics, such as its population density, limited land resources and high consumption rates, make efficient waste management extremely complex.

But they also underscore the need for a comprehensive waste management strategy, including a waste-charging scheme, to change habits, increase recycling and reduce waste.

When I was chairman of the Council for Sustainable Development, starting in 2013 we conducted a comprehensive two-year analysis of public opinion, concerns and suggestions on the proposed scheme.

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The evolved strategy was based on the “polluter pays” principle, where everyone in the community takes ownership and shares the responsibility of advancing towards a “use less, waste less” society.

Feedback from the recent trials highlighted significant public concerns over the implementation, operational procedures, cost and inconvenience linked to the refuse collection charge. In some locations, compliance was as low as 20 per cent. This was to be expected.

However, waste management is critical and we cannot continue to postpone it indefinitely. Our landfills are the main pillar of our waste management system but expanding landfills alone cannot deal with our core problem, which is the high volume of waste.

The first phase of the Integrated Waste Management Facilities near Shek Kwu Chau, south of Lantau Island, is expected to be commissioned next year. This advanced incineration plant will alleviate the burden on landfills and form the second pillar. But the facilities, even when fully operational, can still only handle a fraction of Hong Kong’s daily waste.

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Moreover, no one wants these facilities in their neighbourhood, so expanding existing facilities or finding new sites for waste treatment is immensely challenging. There have been suggestions about finding new locations elsewhere in the Greater Bay Area. But can we honestly expect others to take our rubbish because we are unprepared to deal with a problem we are creating and compounding?

The only solution is to generate less waste through incentivised behavioural change, focusing more on recycling. This is our third pillar and postponements are not in society’s best interests.

All stakeholders need to recognise and acknowledge that the conditions for implementing the scheme will always be challenging. This has been the case in other countries, where it took years to refine the process and gather full community support.

Consider Taiwan, which once faced one of the world’s most severe urban waste crises. Landfills overflowed and mountains of rubbish clogged street corners, earning it the title “Garbage Island”.

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The government recognised the need for incisive action and developed a comprehensive and sustainable programme. Today, it is regarded as a global leader in sustainable waste management. In Taipei, more than 4,000 pickup spots operate five nights a week. Mobile apps allow residents to track refuse trucks and notify them when one is nearby.

Under an extended producer responsibility system, manufacturers and importers contribute to waste disposal costs. The proceeds fund the recycling scheme. With high recycling rates and pay-as-you-throw waste collection systems, Taiwan has earned recognition as a world leader in waste management. But it still took several years to fine-tune the process and gain full public support.

Hong Kong will be no different, and the sooner we introduce such programmes, the sooner we can learn about and address challenges.

One of the most critical aspects for Hong Kong is that, for the first time, significant numbers of people are involved in the discussion. So this postponement period should not be seen as a setback but as an opportunity to refine our approach and build more robust community engagement.

Although it will take time, developing a resilient waste management framework will benefit everyone and align Hong Kong with long-term environmental goals.

We must address these issues promptly and not pass the responsibility on to the next administration.

Bernard Chan is a Hong Kong businessman and former Executive Council convenor