Background

At present, about 5.5 million tonnes of waste are disposed of each year in our three strategic landfills namely, the West New Territories (WENT) Landfill at Tuen Mun, the North-east New Territories (NENT) Landfill at Ta Kwu Ling, and the South-east New Territories (SENT) Landfill at Tseung Kwan O.

Waste prevention and recycling has been our main focus in tackling the waste problem. However, our estimate is that even with the achievement of our waste recycling targets (as laid down in the Waste Reduction Framework Plan) and the successful development of appropriate large-scale waste treatment facilities, there will still be million tonnes of un-recyclable wastes requiring disposal each year. As a long lead-time is required for developing new landfills, there is an urgent need to identify new sites for landfills.

In February 2000, EPD commenced a study to examine possible extensions of existing landfills and to identify potential sites for new landfills. Through a series of planning, engineering and environmental assessment, feasible sites for landfilling uses were preliminarily identified. They included the extension sites adjacent to the three strategic landfills, the Pillar Point North Valley site and an artificial island at South Cheung Chau. A strategic environmental assessment (SEA) was then conducted under the Study which had revealed the preliminary acceptability of these new landfill sites. The Study was completed in January 2003. The SEA report and the Executive Summary of the Study can be assessed through the link provided at "Information Paper and Reports".

As the next step, the Government commenced in year 2005 comprehensive feasibility and environmental impact assessment (EIA) studies for the landfill extensions of NENT and SENT, to examine in details the potential environmental impacts and to develop necessary mitigation measures. The study on WENT Landfill extension also commenced in March 2007.