Secretary for the Environment KS Wong today attended an information session to update the construction industry on the adjustment of construction waste disposal charges and associated supplementary measures.
The session was held by the Environmental Protection Department, the Construction Industry Council and the Green Building Council.
Mr Wong said the Government will introduce legislative amendments to revise the charges under the Construction Waste Disposal Charging Scheme to broadly attain cost recovery.
"The revision of disposal charges not only reflects the principle of polluter-pays, but will also provide economic incentive for the industry to 'use less, waste less' and adopt construction methods that are conducive to reuse and recycling," he said.
The department proposes increasing the public fill charge from $27 per tonne to $71, the sorting charge from $100 per tonne to $175, and the landfill charge from $125 per tonne to $200.
The proposal will be introduced by way of subsidiary legislation at the Legislative Council for negative vetting, with a view to completing the legislative process for implementation next April.
Mr Wong said the department will continue to take strict action against illegal dumping of construction waste.
He also called on the public to avoid increasing construction waste by considering environmentally responsible and simple designs when renovating homes.
