Charging manufacturers instead of consumers for re-collecting waste electrical and electronic equipment is consistent with the producer responsibility scheme as a convenient and reasonable way to collect fees.

Speaking to reporters after officiating at the ground-breaking ceremony for the Waste Electrical & Electronic Equipment Treatment & Recycling Facility today, Secretary for the Environment KS Wong said that under the producer responsibility scheme, manufacturers and importers of regulated electrical equipment will pay a recycling fee for regulated electrical equipment that is distributed in Hong Kong.

“But the actual cost, or extra cost, if incurred, would be somehow shared among the related stakeholders,” he said, adding it means manufacturers, retailers and consumers must share the additional cost throughout the commercial process.