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Hong Kong is committed to curbing illegal trans-boundary movements of electronic waste.
In response to media enquiries, the Environmental Protection Department said that only e-wastes containing or contaminated by hazardous components are considered dangerous under the Waste Disposal Ordinance.
As for non-hazardous e-wastes, they are considered recyclable under both the ordinance and the Basel Convention on the Control of Trans-boundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes & Their Disposal.
There is international consensus that their recycling be promoted and their movements be facilitated through less stringent import and export control, the department said.
To guard against hazardous shipments in the disguise of second-hand goods or non-hazardous e-wastes, the department inspects shipments and used electronic and electrical goods on a regular basis.
It stressed that movements of hazardous e-wastes are under tight scrutiny in Hong Kong. Movement of hazardous waste between Hong Kong and the Mainland needs to follow the prior notification and consent system, same as that promulgated by the convention.
Measures launched to tackle waste problem
The department stressed that waste prevention and recovery has been its main focus to tackle the waste problem.
For electronic and electrical items, it has been collaborating with the recycling trade, green groups and district organisations to examine measures to foster reuse and recycling of such items.
The department, together with two voluntary organisations, launched a pilot recovery and recycling programme for computers and electrical appliances in January.
It has injected $100 million into the Environment & Conservation Fund, mainly for district organisations and green groups to organise community waste recovery projects.
It has also been implementing measures to facilitate the development of the local recycling industry, such as providing land under short-term tenancy for recycling operations.
The department is planning for the establishment of a 20-hectare Recovery Park in Tuen Mun to provide a long-term site for recycling operations.
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