Gov't promotes recycling cooking oil

January 23, 2013

Secretary for the Environment KS Wong told legislators today that the Environmental Protection Department encourages the recycling of used cooking oil, while enforcing the existing environmental legislation.
 
Mr Wong told the Legislative Council today used cooking oil is a suitable commodity to be recycled like other "green waste". At the same time, the processes and production plants for recycling used cooking oil to produce biodiesel have to meet the requirements of the relevant pollution control legislation related to air and waste water. The department conducts site inspections of the recycling processes and the discharges to ensure compliance with the statutory requirements.
 
“The Government proactively supports the environmental and recycling industries; there is a tenant in the EcoPark in Tuen Mun undertaking the recycling of used cooking oil, turning used cooking oil collected locally in Hong Kong into bio-diesel that meets international standards.” 
 
He added the Government also promotes a green procurement policy, taking the lead in using bio-diesel, for example.  
 
“Since used cooking oil is not hazardous waste, there is no need to regulate its collection due to an environmental reason.”
 
The department will continue to work from an environmental protection perspective to monitor the treatment process and emissions from the recycling of used cooking oil and the manufacturing of bio-diesel.
 
Regarding media reports on "gutter oil", Mr Wong said the Food & Health Bureau and the Food & Environmental Hygiene Department have so far found no evidence that gutter oil was involved in a reported incident.