Doubts raised over introduction of plastic recycling scheme in Hong Kong
Lack of monetary incentive and long timeline to achieve goals cited as major issues of newly proposed citywide plan
Hong Kong government advisers have expressed doubts over the introduction of a citywide recycling scheme for plastic bottles and drink cartons, citing a lack of incentive as a major issue.
The government-appointed Advisory Council on the Environment supported the plan on Monday, but some members proposed a shorter timeline for achieving goals and an increase to the proposed rebate of 10 HK cents (1.28 US cents) on each item.
The Environment and Ecology Bureau revealed last month it would require drink suppliers to either arrange self-recovery or engage registered operators to meet the government’s recycling targets of bottles with volumes of 100 millilitres to two litres.
According to a paper submitted to the Legislative Council, all designated return points will be required to provide a rebate of no less than 10 cents.
The government will introduce the amendments to the relevant ordinances in the second quarter of this year, with implementation expected to follow several years later.
It aims to recover 75 per cent of plastic bottles and half of the drink cartons six to eight years after its implementation.
“Six to eight years is a very lengthy time,” council member Raymond Yau Man-hung said.