The municipal solid waste (MSW) disposed of at landfills dropped for three consecutive years to 3.85 million tonnes in 2024, and the average daily quantity was 10,510 tonnes, a 3.4% decrease compared to the previous year, according to a report released by Environmental Protection Department today.

Among the MSW, disposal of waste plastics dropped 11.1%, and that of food waste dropped 6%. Disposal of waste glass decreased 7.1%.

The per capita MSW disposal rate per day in 2024 was 1.4kg, down from 1.44kg in the previous year. Among the three major categories of MSW in 2024, food waste accounted for 29%, followed by waste paper and waste plastics, accounting for 23% and 18% respectively.

With the implementation of various measures by the Government in promoting food waste recycling and plastic-free culture, including the regulation on disposable plastic products in 2024, both the shares of disposal of food waste and waste plastics decreased compared to 2023.

Since the Government enhanced the Plastic Shopping Bag Charging Scheme in 2022, the amount of plastic shopping bags disposed of in 2024 was 56,408 tonnes, down from 63,367 tonnes in the preceding year.

Meanwhile, the share of waste paper increased; it was mainly paper waste that could not be easily recycled.

The overall MSW recovery rate rose for four consecutive years, with the latest figures rising from 33% in 2023 to 34% in 2024 and the increase in the total recovery was about 50,000 tonnes. The increase was mainly driven by the recycling of food waste and ferrous metal recyclables.

Regarding construction waste, the overall quantity of construction waste generation rose by 4,945 tonnes per day on average in 2024 as compared to the preceding year, of which more than 90% was reused.

The construction waste disposed of at landfills increased slightly by 6% to about 4,694 tonnes per day. The overall construction waste recovery rate was above 90%, and the average quantity of construction waste reused was 45,810 tonnes per day.

Seizing the opportunity of increasing public participation in waste reduction and recycling, the Government will further promote the waste reduction and recycling culture, and will take forward waste reduction and recycling initiatives by strengthening publicity and education, enhancing the recycling network, boosting collaboration with industries, and using market forces to assist in the transition to a green economy.

In the meantime, the Government is building an advanced and efficient network of modern waste-to-energy facilities at full steam, with I·PARK1 commencing operation at the end of 2024.

It is also working at full steam on the preparation work for I·PARK2 to expand waste-to-energy capacity, with the goal to achieve zero landfill.