Enforcement Activities and Statistics under the Waste Disposal Ordinance 2016

The Waste Disposal Ordinance provides for controls on the management and disposal of waste.

Chemical Waste

Producers of chemical waste have to be registered with the Environmental Protection Department (EPD), while waste collectors and disposal facilities have to be licensed. The movement of waste from its generation to its final disposal point is monitored by a trip ticket system, and 36 200 trip tickets were used in 2016.

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Registered Chemical Waste Producers

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Livestock Waste

Under the Waste Disposal (Amendment) Ordinance effective on 1 July 1994, Livestock Waste Prohibition Areas were extended, and Restriction Areas were introduced. No new livestock farms are allowed in Restriction Areas, but existing livestock keeping activities can continue to operate. Since 1 July 1999, all treated livestock waste discharges have been required to meet a 50:50 standard [Biochemical Oxygen Demand (mg/L) : Suspended Solids (mg/L)]. About $946 million in financial aid has been paid to help affected farmers to date. About 90% of livestock waste is now disposed of in an environmentally acceptable manner as farmers have adopted appropriate livestock waste treatment and management measures.

Since the launching of two Voluntary Surrender Schemes in 2005 and 2006, the number of livestock farms and the quantity of livestock waste arising have been reduced. In addition, the buyout scheme for live poultry trade had been launched in 2008. This led to further reduction in the quantity of livestock farms and waste produced.

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Livestock Waste Prohibition, Restriction and Control Areas

Map - Livestock Waste Prohibition, Restriction and Control Areas

Import and Export of Waste

Import and export of waste has been controlled through permits since 1 September 1996. Any persons who wish to import or export wastes require a permit issued by the EPD unless the wastes are uncontaminated recyclables and are intended for a genuine recycling or re-use purpose.

In collaboration with the Customs and Excise Department and Marine Police, the EPD spot-checks waste consignments at various import and export control points and borders to deter illegal shipments of wastes. Our strategic landfills are also kept under close surveillance against illegal disposal of imported waste.

Waste Import and Export Permit and Transit Consent in 2016

No. of Permits Issued :	9
No. of Transit Consents Issued:	17

Prosecutions on Illegal Import and Export of Waste in 2016

Total No. of Prosecutions :	27
Range of Fines :	$5 000 - $60 000

Clinical Waste

The Waste Disposal (Clinical Waste)(General) Regulation became effective on 1^st August 2011. All Clinical Waste Producers are required to safely handle clinical waste and arrange for its proper disposal. Each Clinical Waste Producer is assigned a premises code to identify the premises where clinical waste is generated. Up to the end of 2016, 10 862 clinical waste producers have obtained premises code from EPD. Of these, there are around 462 Major Clinical Waste Producers which comprise public and private hospitals, government clinics and medical laboratories managed by government. The remainder includes private medical and dental clinics/practices, private dental, medical, veterinary or pathological laboratories, private Chinese medicine clinics/practices, residential care homes for the elderly, nursing homes, private veterinary clinics/practices, medical research facilities, universities and other relevant organizations.

In accordance with the Waste Disposal Ordinance, the collection and removal of clinical waste must be operated under a clinical waste collection licence issued by EPD. As at end of 2016, 9 licensed operators provide clinical waste collection service in Hong Kong. Each consignment of clinical waste is tracked with a trip ticket. In 2016, 69 224 clinical waste consignments totaling 2 389 tonnes were delivered to the Chemical Waste Treatment Centre (CWTC) for disposal. Due to maintenance of the incinerator at CWTC, 286 tonnes of clinical waste were diverted to WENT Landfill for disposal.

Chart - Quantity of Clinical Waste Delivered to the CWTC from Various Sources (from 01 January 2016 to 31 December 2016)

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