Hong Kong’s unique geographical, demographic and economic characteristics, including population density, limited land resources and high consumption rates, make efficient waste management extremely complex.
When I was Chair of the Council on Sustainable Development, starting in 2013, we carried out a comprehensive analysis of public opinion, concerns and suggestions on the proposed plan over a two-year period.
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SCMP Explainer: How does Hong Kong deal with its waste?
SCMP Explains: How does Hong Kong deal with its waste?
However, waste management is too important to be put off indefinitely. Landfills are a key pillar of the waste management system, but expanding landfills alone will not address the underlying problem of waste volume.
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High tech vs low tech: Hong Kong loses its only beverage carton recycler to microelectronics centre
High tech vs low tech: Hong Kong loses its only beverage carton recycler to microelectronics centre
The only solution is to reduce waste by focusing on recycling and encouraging behavioural change – this is our third pillar and postponement is not in society’s best interest.
Consider Taiwan, which once faced the world’s most serious urban waste crisis: overflowing landfills and mountains of trash clogging street corners, earning it the nickname “Garbage Island.”
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Taiwanese couple’s unconventional wedding photos encourage people to reduce waste
Taiwanese couple’s unconventional wedding photos encourage people to reduce waste
Recognizing the need for decisive action, the government developed a comprehensive and sustainable program. Today, the government is considered a world leader in sustainable waste management. In Taipei, more than 4,000 collection points are open five nights a week. Residents can use a mobile app to track garbage trucks and be notified when they are nearby.
Under the Extended Producer Responsibility system, manufacturers and importers cover waste disposal costs; the revenue is used to fund recycling schemes. Taiwan is recognised as a world leader in waste management thanks to its high recycling rate and its pay-for-collection system, but it took several years to fine-tune the process and gain full public support.
Hong Kong is no exception, and the sooner we put in place such programs, the sooner we can learn about and address the challenges.
One of the most important aspects for Hong Kong is that for the first time, a significant number of people are being engaged in the discussions. Therefore, this postponement should not be seen as a setback, but as an opportunity to refine our approach and build stronger community engagement.
While it will take time, building a resilient waste management framework will benefit everyone and align Hong Kong with its long-term environmental goals.
We need to address these issues swiftly and not pass the responsibility onto the next administration.
Bernard Chan is a Hong Kong businessman. and Former Executive Council Chairman
