Plan uncorked:
Secretary for the Environment KS Wong launches the public consultation on the implementation of a mandatory producer responsibility scheme on glass beverage bottles.
Plan uncorked:
Secretary for the Environment KS Wong launches the
public consultation on the implementation of a mandatory producer responsibility scheme on glass beverage bottles.
Glass bottle consultation starts
February 07, 2013
The Environment Bureau has launched a
public consultation on the implementation of a mandatory producer responsibility scheme on glass beverage bottles.
Secretary for the Environment KS Wong told the media today that glass bottles are a resource that should be properly reused. About two-thirds of waste glass bottles are for drinks, 85% of them alcoholic beverages.
Under the proposal, the Government will appoint a contractor to collect and recycle glass beverage bottles, and charge drink suppliers to cover its operation costs.
The consultation document proposes a pre-paid recycling fee be imposed on suppliers, such as $1 per litre of drink supplied.
“We will determine the level of the recycling fee after completing the open tender for the contract taking into account the polluter-pays principle.”
Mr Wong said overseas experience shows a mandatory scheme can boost the recycling rate. He predicted the scheme will recover about 70% of bottles.
About 150 tonnes of waste glass beverage bottles are disposed of in Hong Kong landfills daily. Mr Wong said the plan will alleviate pressure on these landfills, making it crucial in tackling the imminent waste problem.
People can
email their views to the Environmental Protection Department by May 6.
