Scheme Suspension Confirmed Amid Public Concerns
Hong Kong's government has officially confirmed that its municipal solid waste (MSW) charging scheme will remain suspended until at least June 2027. Officials have characterized the controversial 'polluter-pay' initiative as a 'backup tool' for future waste management efforts. The suspension aligns with the end of the current administration's term.
Secretary for Environment and Ecology Tse Chin-wan stated that the scheme is not being abandoned but rather put on hold, to be reconsidered if the city's waste reduction progress encounters a 'bottleneck' or if public sentiment and economic conditions become more favorable.
Background and Delays of the 'Polluter-Pay' Principle
The MSW charging scheme, which operates on the 'polluter-pay' principle, was first proposed by the government in 2005. Legislation for the scheme was passed in 2021.
Under the scheme, residents would be required to purchase designated garbage bags, priced at 11 cents per litre, available in nine sizes ranging from 3L to 100L. For oversized waste, designated labels costing $11 per piece would be necessary. Commercial and industrial waste could also be charged by weight, with a gate-fee of $365 to $395 per ton.
The full implementation of the scheme faced multiple delays. Initially slated for April 1, 2024, it was pushed to August 1, 2024, after an eight-week trial run. However, in May 2024, the government announced its indefinite suspension.
Reasons for Indefinite Postponement
The decision to suspend the scheme was largely influenced by significant public opposition and logistical challenges. Deputy Chief Secretary Warner Cheuk noted concerns from citizens regarding the complexity of guidelines, the potential financial burden on households, particularly low-income families and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and insufficient space for waste sorting in residences.
Chief Executive John Lee acknowledged that a social consensus on the scheme's implementation had not been reached. Public opinion surveys commissioned by the government indicated that 70 to 80 percent of respondents believed the scheme should not be implemented at this time.
Continued Focus on Waste Reduction and Recycling
Despite the suspension of the charging scheme, the Hong Kong government remains committed to its goal of achieving zero landfill by 2035.
Officials highlight that existing waste reduction and recycling initiatives have shown 'visible effectiveness'. The amount of rubbish collected for disposal in Hong Kong saw a reduction of 1,000 tonnes in 2024 compared to 2021, representing just under a 10 percent decrease. Daily solid waste disposal decreased by 7.5 percent from 2021 to 2024, and per capita disposal fell by approximately 8 percent. Recycling volume also increased by one-third in the five-year period ending 2024.
The government plans to intensify efforts in:
- Enhancing recycling facilities.
- Stepping up public education and promotion.
- Exploring and promoting practical environmental protection measures with industry.
The aim is to increase the recycling rate to 36 percent within the next two years, up from 34 percent in 2024, and to reduce the daily waste disposal volume by 500 tonnes.
6 Comments
Karamba
Total cop-out. Just kicking the can down the road again.
Bella Ciao
Right move to prioritize public education and recycling first.
ZmeeLove
Polluter-pays is crucial. They should have found a way to make it work.
Mariposa
Good to see the government listening to its people.
Muchacha
It's good that officials are acknowledging the complexity and public sentiment, especially regarding low-income families. Still, the underlying problem of excessive waste generation remains, and pushing back the solution only postpones the inevitable tough choices.
paracelsus
While public concerns about cost and logistics were definitely valid, delaying this critical scheme indefinitely still feels like a step backward for long-term environmental goals. We need a clear path forward, not just a pause.