Waste Facilities
Our major impact on the environment comes from the operation of waste facilities. The EPD oversees 29 waste facilities and we require our contractors to operate them to a high environmental standard, through both contractual requirements and statutory controls. The contractors must comply with all applicable environmental ordinances, regulations and emission conditions. Air, noise and wastewater emissions from these facilities must be monitored and this is supervised closely by EPD staff on site. Since 1989, we have included a provision in waste facilities contracts to deduct payment for non-compliance with environmental controls.

In 2000, our Waste Facilities Business Unit received ISO 14001 certification for its environmental management system and all contractors of new waste management facilities were required to obtain ISO 14001 certification for their environmental management systems as part of their contractual arrangements. The restored Northwest New Territories Landfills and the restored Gin Drinkers Bay Landfill obtained the certification in 2001. Two other new facilities, the Northwest New Territories Refuse Transfer Station and the Sha Ling Composting Plant, were expected to be certified in 2002. In addition, we are encouraging contractors of existing waste facilities to develop environmental management systems to further improve their environmental performance. Contractors at three landfill restoration sites have implemented environmental management systems and they were expected to obtain ISO 14001 certification in 2002.

Compliance Rate
In 2001, no environmental prosecution was taken against any of our waste management contractors. They also achieved 99.997% compliance with contractual environmental requirements, similar to 2000 and 1999. Each non-compliance was thoroughly investigated and remedial action instigated.

Chart of Total hydrocarbons levels in stack gas of chemical waste treatment centre in 2001

Complaints
In 2001 there was no complaint received against CWTC and 21 complaints against other waste facilities. Complaints included odour, noise, dust and fly nuisance. All complaints were dealt with promptly.