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| The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) today (December 27) published the report "Monitoring of Solid Waste in Hong Kong - Waste Statistics for 2016", presenting the 2016 statistics on disposal and recovery/recycling of solid waste generated in Hong Kong, which includes municipal solid waste (MSW) (comprising domestic, commercial and industrial waste), overall construction waste and special waste. | |||
| Overall, the quantity of MSW generation in 2016 was 5.7 million tonnes, which had dropped by 0.7 per cent. Domestic MSW generation has dropped by 2.7 per cent, suggesting that the public has gradually become more aware of reduction of waste at source. Commercial and industrial MSW generation continued to rise with an annual increase of 1.7 per cent, but the rate of increase was lower than that of 2015. | |||
| In 2016, the average daily quantity of solid waste disposed of at landfills was 15 332 tonnes, representing an increase of 1.5 per cent compared with the figure for 2015. Regarding MSW, the average daily quantity of disposal at landfills was 10 345 tonnes in 2016, representing an increase of 1.8 per cent as compared with 2015. This rate of increase has been decelerating in recent years. | |||
| As far as the per capita MSW disposal rate per day is concerned, the 2016 figure was 1.41 kilograms, compared to 1.39 kilograms in 2014. The increase in the MSW disposal rate was mainly driven by the increase in the amount of commercial and industrial waste being disposed of, which was partly attributable to the relatively buoyant local economy in 2016. | |||
| Looking at the figures by waste type, glass and plastic disposal dropped by 10 per cent and 2 per cent respectively. However, food waste disposal increased by 6.5 per cent, and the per capita disposal rate of food waste increased by 5.8 per cent. This increase was driven by an increase in commercial and industrial food waste disposal. Domestic food waste disposal rate per capita continued to drop for three consecutive years, with a decrease of 3.5 per cent in 2016 as compared to 2015. | |||
| The quantity of special waste being disposed of at landfills in 2016 decreased markedly by 24.1 per cent compared to the figure for 2015. The decrease is attributable to the commissioning of the Sludge Treatment Facility (T·PARK) in Tuen Mun in 2015. This facility treats de-watered sewage sludge from sewage treatment plants by incineration, leaving only the residue and ash to be landfilled, hence significantly reducing the volume of such waste to be disposed of at landfills by 90 per cent. | |||
| Regarding construction waste, the recovery rate of inert construction materials delivered to public fill reception facilities and other outlets was 93 per cent in 2016. Construction waste disposal charges increased with effect from April 7, 2017, which provided an incentive for the trade to reduce and reuse construction waste. | |||
| Hong Kong relies heavily on service industries, and hence it has very limited capacity to utilise raw or recycled materials in local production. The condition of the international market for recyclables has for many years heavily dictated the value of and outlets for local recyclables. The challenging condition of the international market for recyclables in the past few years has had a dampening effect on demand for, and thus prices of, local recyclables. Compared to 2015, the total quantity of recovered MSW was about 120 000 tonnes lower. The MSW recovery rate was 34 per cent in 2016, slightly lower than the 35 per cent of 2015. In terms of major types of recyclables, the recovery of waste paper dropped by 91 000 tonnes owing to weak demand. On the other hand, waste plastics recovery increased by some 32 000 tonnes, possibly due to the rebound in the crude oil price which drove up the demand for plastic recyclables. | |||
| An EPD spokesman said that the Government attaches great importance to waste management work, and will continue with its efforts in implementing step by step the waste reduction and recycling policies and actions under the "Hong Kong: Blueprint for Sustainable Use of Resources 2013-2022" and "A Food Waste & Yard Waste Plan for Hong Kong 2014-2022". In her Policy Address delivered in October this year, the Chief Executive introduced a number of new initiatives to strengthen the capability of waste reduction at source and recycling in society, as well as tackle the challenges brought by the gradual tightening of import requirements for recyclable materials by the Mainland. Among others, the EPD will establish an outreach team and launch a new round of publicity and an education campaign on clean recycling, thereby enhancing the recyclability and recycling value of recyclables. The EPD will also strengthen its collaboration with non-government organisations and stakeholders to actively support the collection of low-value recyclables at the community level, and will also introduce a scheme on central collection of waste plastic bottles in order to enhance the cost-effectiveness of handling these recyclables. Moreover, appropriate schemes will continue to be launched under the $1 billion Recycling Fund set up by the Government to upgrade the overall operational standards and capabilities of the recycling industry, in order to further increase value-added from the industry. The Government will also study the feasibility of incubating a local manufacturing industry using recycled materials in the search for more effective and diverse outlets for locally generated recyclables. | |||
| The EPD will continue to implement various policies to promote waste reduction, including MSW charging and producer responsibility schemes on waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) and glass beverage containers; commissioning recovery infrastructure including the WEEE Treatment and Recycling Facility and the Organic Resources Recovery Centres; developing the Community Green Station network to promote environmental education and support collection of low-value recyclables at local community level, and rolling out a new round of the Food Wise Hong Kong Campaign to sustain reduction in food waste. The Organic Resources Recovery Centre Phase 1, which can process a maximum of 200 tonnes of food waste per day, will commence in the first half of 2018. The Organic Resources Recovery Centre Phase 2, which can process a maximum of 300 tonnes of food waste per day, will commence operation in 2021. The "Food Waste - Sewage Sludge Anaerobic Co-digestion Trial Scheme" has also started construction at Tai Po Sewage Treatment Works and will be able to treat a maximum of 50 tonnes of food waste per day upon commissioning in 2019. Once the trial has proved successful, the Government can gradually extend such a food waste treatment approach to other areas. The above facilities will help reduce food waste disposal. The implementation of MSW charging will also help reduce waste disposal and raise the recovery rate. | |||
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The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) today (December 27) published the report "Monitoring of Solid Waste in Hong Kong - Waste Statistics for 2016", presenting the 2016 statistics on disposal and recovery/recycling of solid waste generated in Hong Kong, which includes municipal solid waste (MSW) (comprising domestic, commercial and industrial waste), overall construction waste and special waste.
Overall, the quantity of MSW generation in 2016 was 5.7 million tonnes, which had dropped by 0.7 per cent. Domestic MSW generation has dropped by 2.7 per cent, suggesting that the public has gradually become more aware of reduction of waste at source. Commercial and industrial MSW generation continued to rise with an annual increase of 1.7 per cent, but the rate of increase was lower than that of 2015.
In 2016, the average daily quantity of solid waste disposed of at landfills was 15 332 tonnes, representing an increase of 1.5 per cent compared with the figure for 2015. Regarding MSW, the average daily quantity of disposal at landfills was 10 345 tonnes in 2016, representing an increase of 1.8 per cent as compared with 2015. This rate of increase has been decelerating in recent years.
As far as the per capita MSW disposal rate per day is concerned, the 2016 figure was 1.41 kilograms, compared to 1.39 kilograms in 2014. The increase in the MSW disposal rate was mainly driven by the increase in the amount of commercial and industrial waste being disposed of, which was partly attributable to the relatively buoyant local economy in 2016.
Looking at the figures by waste type, glass and plastic disposal dropped by 10 per cent and 2 per cent respectively. However, food waste disposal increased by 6.5 per cent, and the per capita disposal rate of food waste increased by 5.8 per cent. This increase was driven by an increase in commercial and industrial food waste disposal. Domestic food waste disposal rate per capita continued to drop for three consecutive years, with a decrease of 3.5 per cent in 2016 as compared to 2015.
The quantity of special waste being disposed of at landfills in 2016 decreased markedly by 24.1 per cent compared to the figure for 2015. The decrease is attributable to the commissioning of the Sludge Treatment Facility (T·PARK) in Tuen Mun in 2015. This facility treats de-watered sewage sludge from sewage treatment plants by incineration, leaving only the residue and ash to be landfilled, hence significantly reducing the volume of such waste to be disposed of at landfills by 90 per cent.
Regarding construction waste, the recovery rate of inert construction materials delivered to public fill reception facilities and other outlets was 93 per cent in 2016. Construction waste disposal charges increased with effect from April 7, 2017, which provided an incentive for the trade to reduce and reuse construction waste.
Hong Kong relies heavily on service industries, and hence it has very limited capacity to utilise raw or recycled materials in local production. The condition of the international market for recyclables has for many years heavily dictated the value of and outlets for local recyclables. The challenging condition of the international market for recyclables in the past few years has had a dampening effect on demand for, and thus prices of, local recyclables. Compared to 2015, the total quantity of recovered MSW was about 120 000 tonnes lower. The MSW recovery rate was 34 per cent in 2016, slightly lower than the 35 per cent of 2015. In terms of major types of recyclables, the recovery of waste paper dropped by 91 000 tonnes owing to weak demand. On the other hand, waste plastics recovery increased by some 32 000 tonnes, possibly due to the rebound in the crude oil price which drove up the demand for plastic recyclables.
An EPD spokesman said that the Government attaches great importance to waste management work, and will continue with its efforts in implementing step by step the waste reduction and recycling policies and actions under the "Hong Kong: Blueprint for Sustainable Use of Resources 2013-2022" and "A Food Waste & Yard Waste Plan for Hong Kong 2014-2022". In her Policy Address delivered in October this year, the Chief Executive introduced a number of new initiatives to strengthen the capability of waste reduction at source and recycling in society, as well as tackle the challenges brought by the gradual tightening of import requirements for recyclable materials by the Mainland. Among others, the EPD will establish an outreach team and launch a new round of publicity and an education campaign on clean recycling, thereby enhancing the recyclability and recycling value of recyclables. The EPD will also strengthen its collaboration with non-government organisations and stakeholders to actively support the collection of low-value recyclables at the community level, and will also introduce a scheme on central collection of waste plastic bottles in order to enhance the cost-effectiveness of handling these recyclables. Moreover, appropriate schemes will continue to be launched under the $1 billion Recycling Fund set up by the Government to upgrade the overall operational standards and capabilities of the recycling industry, in order to further increase value-added from the industry. The Government will also study the feasibility of incubating a local manufacturing industry using recycled materials in the search for more effective and diverse outlets for locally generated recyclables.
The EPD will continue to implement various policies to promote waste reduction, including MSW charging and producer responsibility schemes on waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) and glass beverage containers; commissioning recovery infrastructure including the WEEE Treatment and Recycling Facility and the Organic Resources Recovery Centres; developing the Community Green Station network to promote environmental education and support collection of low-value recyclables at local community level, and rolling out a new round of the Food Wise Hong Kong Campaign to sustain reduction in food waste. The Organic Resources Recovery Centre Phase 1, which can process a maximum of 200 tonnes of food waste per day, will commence in the first half of 2018. The Organic Resources Recovery Centre Phase 2, which can process a maximum of 300 tonnes of food waste per day, will commence operation in 2021. The "Food Waste - Sewage Sludge Anaerobic Co-digestion Trial Scheme" has also started construction at Tai Po Sewage Treatment Works and will be able to treat a maximum of 50 tonnes of food waste per day upon commissioning in 2019. Once the trial has proved successful, the Government can gradually extend such a food waste treatment approach to other areas. The above facilities will help reduce food waste disposal. The implementation of MSW charging will also help reduce waste disposal and raise the recovery rate.
Food waste recycling is a process to convert food waste into useful materials and products for achieving sustainability of the environment. Food waste is defined as all inedible and edible parts of food that creates preceding and succeeding food processing, production and consumption. Greenhouse gases, especially methane can be reduced by food waste recycling. Food waste recycling can also alleviate the saturation of landfill sites in Hong Kong.
Background
Current situation of food waste in Hong Kong
The amount of food waste accounts for 38% of the municipal solid waste in Hong Kong. According to the statistics published by the Environmental Protection Department, Hong Kong generates approximately 3,648 tonnes of food waste each day. About one-third of the food waste comes from the commercial and industrial sectors while the remaining part is from households. The situation of food waste disposal in Hong Kong has become more serious in recent years. The amount of food waste from the commercial and industry sectors increased from 400 tonnes in 2002 to 1033 tonnes in 2014.
Three steps of food waste recycling in Hong Kong
Food waste recycling typically involves a three-step strategy that includes separation, collection and recycling. These three steps are interdependent and equally important in efficiently generating useful resources from food waste recycling.
Separation
The collected food waste is separated into two categories: pre-consumer food waste and post-consumer food waste. Pre-consumer food waste includes animal food waste, vegetable food waste, and waste from industrially-processed food. Post-consumer food waste refers to leftover food, such as from an unfinished restaurant order. Source separation also involves removing any food packaging and utensils.
Collection
Food waste vehicles, managed by the government, collect and deliver food waste to governmental recycling facilities. These recycling facilities, known as Organic Waste Treatment Facilities (OWTFs), will be spread across Hong Kong's districts. The government plans to construct 5 to 6 OWTF networks, with a goal of recycling 1300 to 1500 tonnes of food waste between 2014 and 2024. The first facility is planned to be built in Siu Ho Wan to serve Lantau Island and districts nearby. The second and third are projected to be built in Sha Ling and Shek Kong so as to serve the New Territories and West Kowloon.
The Environmental Protection Department also plans to construct two Organic Resources Recovery Centres (ORRCs) to collect the food waste and turn it into compost for recovery. These two centres will collectively be able to treat 500 tonnes of organic waste and divert 200 to 300 tonnes of waste from the landfills daily. The first Centre will also be located in Siu Ho Wan. The construction works commenced in December 2014 and it is expected to be commissioned in early 2018.
Recycling
Two technologies are used to turn food waste into biogas and useful products. The first technology is a low-carbon method that processes 100 to 300 of tonnes food waste per day. By applying this technology, it produces a source of the renewable energy biogas. It is estimated that the first Centre will be able to provide 14 million kWh of electricity to Hong Kong's power grid every year, which can power 3,000 households. The second technology converts food waste into succinic acid by using enzymes and bacteria. The residues can be processed to be animal feed, fertilizers and environmental-friendly cleansing products.
Hong Kong Food Waste Recycling Program
The Hong Kong Government
Food Waste Recycling Partnership Scheme
Food waste recycling partnership scheme is introduced by the Environmental Protection Department in 2009. The scheme was designed to promote a good practice on food waste management and enhance people’s experiences of separating and recycling food waste sources. The scheme collaborated with commercial and industrial sectors. Some members from the Hong Kong Government and that of the commercial and industrial sectors formed a working group for planning and managing the operation of the project. There are about 20 to 30 public and private organizations that participate in the scheme every year. In the project, all the participants will have a chance to practice separation process of food waste sources. The collection process of separated food waste will be carried out by the Environmental Protection Department and the Kowloon Bay Pilot Composting Plant will be responsible to the recycling part. The scheme also consists of discussion sessions for the participating parties to share their experience of recycling food waste. All participants will receive a commendation certificate at the end of the project.
Food Waste Recycling Projects in Housing Estates
From November 2012 to July 2014, The Hong Kong Housing Authority implemented a trial scheme, named as Food Waste Recycling Projects in Housing Estates, with an aim to promote waste recycling in housing estates. The scheme involved 14 estates with about 3200 households. There were two modes adopted in the scheme. One is to convert food waste to fish grain by transporting them to a Central Food Waste Recycling Plant. The other one is to convert food waste into compost for farm by using micro-organisms.
Food Waste Recycling Scheme on Cheung Chau and Lamma Island
On 31 March 2012, The Environmental Protection Department introduced a recycling scheme on Cheung Chau and Lamma Island. The purpose of the scheme is to promote and encourage food waste recycling on both islands. Food waste collected from shops and restaurants would be transported to the food waste treatment facilities on the islands. The food waste would be converted to organic compost.
Non-governmental organization
Hong Kong Organic Waste Recycling Centre
Hong Kong Organic Waste Recycling Centre (HKOWRC) was established in 2011 as the first organic waste management consulting firm in Hong Kong. It combines local and foreign technologies to provide one-stop organic recycling services to customers. The assistance in collection of food waste solves problems of companies in immature recycling. Through commitment to different types of people, HKOWRC can promote and provide waste management training for particular customers.
Daily Food Waste Recycling Service
The objectives of the collection and recycling routine are to educate the general public in cherishing food as well as making good use of resources. The service encourages two-way cooperation for food waste recycling. HKOWRC aims to provide 24-hour recycling services particularly to livestock breeders, farmers, catering industry, schools and large-scale housing estates. For most of the cases, the recycled food waste is to be used by the service targets again for other purposes, therefore avoiding wastage of resources. For livestock breeders and farmers, the recycled food waste is converted to animal feeds and fertilizers that contain richer nutritional values than the conventional ones. It possibly gives higher yield. For catering industry, the recycled food waste is converted to crops which are grown from organic compost from HKOWRC for latest organic food at a special prize. For schools and housing estates, it aims to raise the awareness of food waste reduction when the recycling service reveals the huge amount of food wastes accumulated.
See also
References
- Recycling: Definition and Overview. Think Green.
- Hong Kong's “Zero Food Waste". Green Power, Jun 2013.
- Turning Food Waste into Energy at the East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD). US Environmental Protection Agency.
- Editorial, Reuters. "Hong Kong drowning in waste as China rubbish ban takes toll". U.K. Retrieved 2018-01-31.
{{cite news}}:|first=has generic name (help) - ^ Food Waste Management in HK. Environmental Protection Department.
- ^ A Food Waste & Yard Waste Plan For Hong Kong 2014-2022. Environment Bureau , February 2014.
- ^ "Organic Resources Recovery Centre (ORRC)". Environmental Protection Department. 30 October 2017. Retrieved July 23, 2018.
- Lee, K., Lin, S., & Chan, C. (2013) Turning Food Waste into Treasure. Housing Dynamics .
- What is the use of food waste?. Friends of the Earth, 2010.
- LCQ16: Food waste recycling trial scheme in public housing estates. Hong Kong Information Services Department, 17 December 2014.
- LCQ9: Reduction and treatment of food waste. Hong Kong Information Services Department, 8 May 2013.
- ^ Our Services. Hong Kong Organic Waste Recycling Centre.
Further reading
- How can food waste be recycled?. Friends of the Earth
- Lam, Y. (2012).Partnership for sustainable waste management