The Environmental Protection Department today announced that the launching of the beverage carton treatment service contract would be cancelled given that a beverage carton recycler has found a suitable site for relocation.

In response to earlier public concern over the possible suspension of the beverage carton recycling service after June 30 due to the possible discontinuation of service by a beverage carton recycler, the department invited quotations in March for a beverage carton treatment service contract with effect from July 1.

The service contract, which covers the storage and treatment of beverage cartons collected at the GREEN@COMMUNITY facilities, is set to ensure a stable recycling chain for beverage cartons in the city before a large-scale modern pulping facility in EcoPark, Tuen Mun, commences operation in 2025.

The department recently learnt that the beverage carton recycling plant concerned had found a suitable site in Hong Kong for relocation and continued operation, with a tenancy going beyond 2025.

In view of the latest development, the department believes that the local recycling chain for beverage cartons will remain stable without the Government's intervention and decided to cancel the service contract for beverage carton treatment and let the relevant services continue to be operated under a market-led approach.

The department has received a total of seven quotations for the beverage carton treatment service contract, and is pleased to learn that more than one company is available in the market that can treat beverage cartons with different technologies.

With the department's consent, operators of the recycling facilities under GREEN@COMMUNITY can hand over the beverage cartons collected to any recyclers in the market with the appropriate technology for proper treatment.