The Environmental Protection Department said tonight it is working with industry stakeholders to explore the reduction of high liquid content waste (HLCW) at source, through proper treatment and recycling, to stop the disposal of such waste at landfills.

Responding to media enquiries on HLCW treatment, the department said that about 1,500 tonnes of HLCW were disposed at landfills in 2025, equivalent to about 100 double-decker buses. The waste will become leachate and may affect landfill stability.

HLCW includes liquid food such as beverages, sauces and ice-cream, and personal care products such as shower gels and moisturising creams. Other liquids such as paint and cleansing agents also fall into the category.

If operators need to dispose of HLCW at landfills, they must apply to the department for a “Disposal of Special Waste at Landfills Admission Ticket”. In 2025, there were 27 such ticket-holders in the city, comprising manufacturers, retail enterprises, and logistics companies.

The department contacted admission ticket holders, local recyclers, and some manufacturers and retail enterprises earlier this year to discuss ways of gradually reducing the disposal of HLCW at landfills.

It has proposed that operators minimise the generation of expired items at source through enhanced inventory management, and make donations of properly packaged and usable items to social welfare organisations or charities.

For items unsuitable for donation, the department said operators can install their own processing equipment, or hand over items to capable recyclers for treatment.

The department revealed that in the past three months, one beverage manufacturer sent about 300,000 bottles of discarded beverages to recyclers, with the materials being recycled.

Additionally, a dairy producer plans to send about 50,000 cartons of discarded milk monthly to recyclers.

Furthermore, the department is helping the local recycling industry to enhancing its capacity to handle waste. The Recycling Fund is assessing applications to support recyclers in purchasing equipment.

The department's Organic Resources Recovery Centres (O.PARKs) are capable of processing liquid food, while the Chemical Waste Treatment Centre can process waste liquids containing chemicals.

As for other waste liquids, these can be discharged into the communal sewer after proper treatment and on the condition of licence compliance. Thereafter, such waste liquids may be conveyed to sewage treatment facilities for further treatment.

The department said it will continue to discuss the handling of HLCW with the industry, before deciding on the full implementation details and a final timetable.

If operators encounter technical difficulties while switching to alternative solutions, they can seek assistance from the department.