Facilities which store, treat, reprocess or recycle e-waste

Introduction / What is E-waste? / Application Form, Application Guidelines and Operation Plan Writing Guide / Further Information / FAQs / Enquiries

Introduction

In March 2016, the Legislative Council passed the Promotion of Recycling and Proper Disposal (Electrical Equipment and Electronic Equipment) (Amendment) Ordinance 2016 which provides a statutory regulatory framework for a Mandatory Producer Responsibility Scheme on Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (the Scheme). The relevant Section of the Amendment Ordinance has become effective on 31 December 2018, except under certain circumstances, any person who is engaged in the storage, treatment, reprocessing or recycling of e-waste must first obtain a waste disposal licence under the Waste Disposal Ordinance (WDO). Moreover, any person who imports or exports e-waste must first obtain a permit.

Having considered the views from the trade and the public on the Scheme over the past few years, the Legislative Council passed the Product Eco-responsibility (Amendment) Bill 2023 in October 2023 to expand the coverage of the Scheme. This amendment will be implemented on 1 July 2024.

Under the enhancement of the Scheme, the e-waste disposal licence has been open for application starting from 2 January 2024. This webpage contains application details for the licence. 

 

What is E-waste?

Currently, the Scheme covers eight categories of “regulated electrical equipment” including air conditioners, refrigerators, washing machines, televisions, computers, printers, scanners and monitors. Starting from 1 July 2024, "regulated electrical equipment" will also include refrigerators and washing machines with larger capacities as well as dehumidifiers and tumble dryers. 

E-waste refers to regulated electrical equipment that has been abandoned (see Section 2 of the WDO for definition). The meaning of “regulated electrical equipment” is detailed in Section 3 and Schedule 6 of the Product Eco-responsibility Ordinance (Cap. 603).

 

Application Form, Application Guidelines and Operation Plan Writing Guide

An e-waste disposal licence under the WDO shall be applied using the form (EPD-236).

• Application for a new/renewal of E-Waste Disposal Licence (Form EPD-236)

• “Guidelines for Application of Waste Disposal Licence for E-waste” (English / Chinese)

• “A Guide for Writing Operation Plan for Waste Disposal Licence of E-waste” (English / Chinese)

 

Further Information

• [NEW] Gazette on Product Eco-responsibility (Amendment) Bill 2023 (English/Chinese)

• [New] Press Release - Bill passed for regulating disposable plastic tableware and other plastic products and enhancing existing producer responsibility schemes 

• Gazette on Promotion of Recycling and Proper Disposal (Electrical Equipment and Electronic Equipment) (Amendment) Ordinance 2016 (English/Chinese)

• Mandatory Producer Responsibility Scheme on Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment

• Presentation slides for the trade briefings entitled “Producer Responsibility Scheme on Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment” held on 15 and 21 February 2017 (Chinese only)

• Presentation slides for the trade briefings entitled “Good Operational Practices in Treatment, Reprocessing and Recycling of Regulated E-waste” held on 26 May and 1 June 2017:

  • Operation and Licensing Requirements for E-waste Disposal Facilities (Chinese only)
  • Fire Safety Requirements for E-waste Disposal Facilities (Chinese only)
  • Good Operational Practices in Treatment, Reprocessing and Recycling of Regulated E-waste (Chinese only)

• Presentation slides for the trade workshop entitled "Preparation of Operation Plan for E-waste Disposal Licence Application" held on 27 September 2017:

  • Waste Disposal Licence of E-waste (Chinese only)
  • A Guide for Writing Operation Plan for Waste Disposal Licence of E-waste (Chinese only)
  • A Guide for Writing Operation Plan (a worked example) (Chinese only)

• Provisions under WDO relevant to Waste Disposal Licence and Waste Import / Export Permit for E-Waste

• How to distinguish between e-waste and second-hand regulated electrical equipment

• Do's and Don'ts for recycling shops handling E-Waste

• Presentation slides for the trade briefing entitled "Disposal Licensing and Import / Export control on E-waste" held on 22 February 2019 (Chinese only)

 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: Who is eligible to apply for a waste disposal licence?

A1: According to the WDO, applications for waste disposal licences have to be submitted by the owner or the lawful occupier of the land or premises used for conducting the waste disposal operation.

Q2: What requirements need to be met for e-waste disposal licence applications?

A2: The aim of the control is to ensure environmental requirements are met throughout the e-waste treatment and dismantling process, and the discharge generated does not pollute the environment or cause nuisance to the neighbouring area. The applicant shall ensure that the areas of the facility are paved; the mechanical plant for the e-waste treatment operation is operated indoor or in a structure with four walls and a roof; and the facility is operated in compliance with all legal and Government departments' requirements such as environmental protection, land use planning, structural and fire safety, etc. The applicant is required to submit an “operation plan” (together with the application) for the EPD’s consideration. This should be able to present the details of the site set-up, treatment procedures, designed recycling rate (of no less than 80%), outlets of recovered materials, environmental management for the site etc. For more details of the requirements, please refer to the “Guidelines for Application of Waste Disposal Licence for E-waste” and “A Guide for Writing Operation Plan for Waste Disposal Licence of E-waste”.

Q3: What is the specific requirement on the minimum recycling rate?

A3: Some treatment residues including non-recyclable parts or components generated from the treatment processes need to be disposed of at landfills or properly destructed at other facilities. When considering an e-waste disposal licence application, the EPD will take into account whether the relevant operations can achieve a recycling rate of no less than 80% by weight in order to reduce, as far as possible, the amount of materials requiring final disposal.

Q4: Will the EPD consider relevant requirements of other Government departments or circulate the information submitted by the applicant to the departments when processing e-waste disposal licence applications?

A4: The aim of the licensing system for e-waste disposal facilities is to ensure that the operation of the facility concerned complies with the environmental requirements and has no negative impact on the environment. In processing the licence application, the EPD will consider the information submitted by the applicant and carry out site visit(s). The EPD will issue a waste disposal licence to the applicant if the application meets the requirements of the WDO. In relation to land use planning and safety aspects, the EPD will make reference to the comments provided by relevant departments (such as the Planning Department, the Buildings Department and the Fire Services Department) for each licence application. The EPD will inform the applicants on the comments, but such comments are not prerequisites for the issuance of the waste disposal licence.

Q5: How long does it take to process an application for the e-waste disposal licence?

A5: The processing time varies from case to case, depending mainly on whether the applicant has completed the installation of the necessary equipment and facilities, prepared the operation plan and necessary documents, and carried out the necessary upgrading works. After receiving an application, the EPD will follow up on the details of the information, documents and contents of the application as soon as possible, so as to facilitate the applicant to make supplement, clarification and response. If applicants can positively address the views and requirements on the application (including the operation plan) from the EPD as well as organizing timely trial runs, it would also help to shorten the approval time.

Q6: How much is the application fee for an e-waste disposal licence?

A6 The application fees for a new licence and a renewed one are HK$29,820 and HK$14,840 respectively, a formal application should be accompanied by the application fee which is non-refundable. The payment should be made according to the instructions as stipulated on the Demand Note issued by the EPD.

Q7: Are there exemptions under the WDO for small-scale e-waste disposal facilities?

A7: The WDO provides certain exemptions, including (1) the disposal of e-waste that is not chemical waste in an area of not more than 100 square meters; (2) the storage of e-waste with a total volume of not more than 50 cubic meters; and (3) e-waste storage sites in multi-storey buildings.

Q8: According to the WDO, the disposal of e-waste that is not chemical waste in an area of not more than 100 square meters is exempted. When determining whether a disposal facility falls within this exemption, are storage areas for e-waste excluded from areas for treatment of e-waste?

A8: According to the WDO, e-waste “disposal” includes storage, treatment, reprocessing, and recycling. Therefore, when determining whether a disposal facility is exempted, the areas to be taken into account will include those used for storing, treating, reprocessing, and recycling e-waste in the facility. It should be noted that the exemptions for storage of e-waste with a total volume of not more than 50 cubic meters or storage of e-waste in premises within multi-storey buildings are only applicable to storage operations which do not involve treatment, reprocessing or recycling.

Q9: Under the WDO, the disposal of e-waste that is not chemical waste in an area of not more than 100 square meters is exempted. If the e-waste disposal facility also processes other recyclables, in determining whether the facility falls within this exemption, will the areas used for processing other recyclables be taken into account?

A9: In assessing exemptions for areas of disposal facilities, generally all areas that could be used for storing, treating, reprocessing or recycling e-waste at the facility will be taken into account.

Q10: For holders of existing chemical waste disposal licences, do they need to apply for new licences to cover their disposal operation for e-waste, such as computers and printers?

A10: The existing chemical waste disposal licensee is required to apply for a new licence under the WDO to cover the types of e-waste concerned. Consequential amendments of the operational plan are also required.

Q11: I now possess a valid e-waste disposal licence. Do I need to apply for a new e-waste disposal licence for the new types of e-waste if I will dispose of them on or after 1 July 2024? 

A11: If the treatment and dismantling of the new types of e-waste involves new processes, in general, you need to apply for a new e-waste disposal licence. Otherwise, you only need to apply for alteration of the existing e-waste disposal licence from the EPD. For matters regarding the application/alteration of the e-waste disposal licence, please approach EPD's respective Regional Offices. 

 

For enquiries

For enquiries on applications of waste disposal licences, please approach EPD Regional Offices or the Territorial Control Office.