A company running a recycling site in Yuen Long was fined $130,000 by Fanling Magistrates' Courts today for illegally handling hazardous electronic waste.

In January, the Environmental Protection Department, in co-operation with the Police, found a recycling site operated by Mei Wah Environmental was illegally storing waste printed circuit boards (PCBs) and LCD monitors, which are classified as chemical waste.

The market value of the 6,700 waste LCD monitors and five bags of waste PCBs found during the operation was $800,000.

The company was convicted for violating the Waste Disposal Ordinance and the Waste Disposal (Chemical Waste) (General) Regulation.

The Environmental Protection Department said dismantled or destroyed PCBs, LCD monitors and cathode ray tubes are hazardous electronic waste, containing heavy metals and other toxic substances.

The maximum penalty for first-time offenders is six months' imprisonment and a $200,000 fine.

Click here for information on the control of chemical waste.