5.                  WASTE MANAGEMENT

 

Introduction

 

5.1              Waste management will be the contractor’s responsibility to ensure that all wastes produced during the construction of the project are handled, stored and disposed of in accordance with good waste management practices and EPD’s regulations and requirements.  The contractor will be required to ensure that loss of dredged material does not take place during transportation of the material in barges to the designated marine disposal ground.

 

5.2              Other waste materials generated during construction activities, such as construction and demolition (C&D) materials, chemical wastes and general refuse from the workforce, are recommended to be audited at regular intervals (at least monthly) to ensure that proper storage, transportation and disposal practices are being implemented.  This monitoring of waste management practices will ensure that these solid and liquid wastes generated during construction are not disposed of into the surrounding marine waters.  The Contractor will be responsible for the implementation of any mitigation measures to minimise waste or redress problems arising from the waste materials.

 

Mitigation Measures

 

Marine Sediments

 

5.3              The basic requirements and procedures for dredged mud disposal are specified under the WBTC No. 3/2000.  The management of the dredging, use and disposal of marine mud is monitored by the Marine Fill Committee (MFC), while the licensing of marine dumping is the responsibility of the Director of Environmental Protection (DEP). 

 

5.4              The dredged marine sediments will be loaded onto barges and transported to designated disposal sites depending on their level of contaminants.  CED have advised that the uncontaminated mud can be disposed at the South Cheung Chau marine disposal ground.  The contaminated material, however, must be dredged and transported with great care.  Therefore appropriate dredging methods should be incorporated into the water quality mitigation measures, such as the use of closed-grab dredgers.  Furthermore, the dredged contaminated sediment must be effectively isolated from the environment upon final disposal and shall be disposed at the East Sha Chau Contaminated Mud Pits which is designated for the disposal of contaminated mud.  In accordance with the requirements of WBTC No. 3/2000, the project proponent shall submit a formal Sediment Quality Report to DEP at least 3 month prior to the dredging contract being tendered. 

 

5.5              During transportation and disposal of the dredged marine sediments, the following measures shall be taken to minimize impacts on water quality:

 

·        Bottom opening of barges shall be fitted with tight fitting seals to prevent leakage of material.  Excess material shall be cleaned from the decks and exposed fittings of barges and hopper dredgers before the vessel is moved.

·        Monitoring of the barge loading shall be conducted to ensure that loss of material does not take place during transportation.  Transport barges or vessels shall be equipped with automatic self-monitoring devices specified by the DEP.

 

Good Site Practices and Waste Reduction Measures

 

5.6              It is not anticipated that adverse waste management related impacts would arise, provided that good site practices are strictly followed.  Recommendations for good site practices during the construction activities include:

 

·        Use authorized or licensed waste haulier to collect specific category of waste;

·        Obtain the necessary waste disposal permits from the appropriate authorities, if they are required, in accordance with the Waste Disposal Ordinance (Cap 354, Waste Disposal (Chemical Waste) (General) Regulation (Cap 354), the Land (Miscellaneous Provision) Ordinance (Cap 28);

·        nomination of an approved personnel, such as a site manager, to be responsible for good site practices, arrangements for collection and effective disposal to an appropriate facility, of all wastes generated at the site;

·        training of site personnel in proper waste management and chemical handling procedures;

·        provision of sufficient waste disposal points and regular collection for disposal;

·        appropriate measures to minimise windblown litter and dust during transportation of waste by either covering trucks or by transporting wastes in enclosed containers;

·        separation of chemical wastes for special handling and appropriate treatment at the CWTF;

·        regular cleaning and maintenance programme for drainage systems, sumps and oil interceptors; and

·        a recording system for the amount of wastes generated, recycled and disposed of (including the disposal sites).

·        In order to monitor the disposal of C&D and solid wastes at public filling facilities and landfills, and control fly-tipping, a trip-ticket system should be included as one of the contractual requirements and implemented by the Environmental Team.  One may make reference to WBTC No. 5/99 for details; and

·        A Waste Management Plan (WMP) should be prepared and this WMP should be submitted to the Engineer for approval.  One may make reference to WBTC No. 29/2000 for details.

 

5.7              Good management and control can prevent the generation of significant amount of waste.  Waste reduction is best achieved at the planning and design stage, as well as by ensuring the implementation of good site practices.  Recommendations to achieve waste reduction include: 

 

·        segregation and storage of different types of waste in different containers, skips or stockpiles to enhance reuse or recycling of materials and their proper disposal;

·        to encourage collection of aluminium cans by individual collectors, separate labelled bins shall be provided to segregate this waste from other general refuse generated by the work force;

·        any unused chemicals or those with remaining functional capacity shall be recycled;

·        use of reusable non-timber formwork to reduce the amount of C&D material;

·        prior to disposal of C&D waste, it is recommended that wood, steel and other metals shall be separated for re-use and / or recycling to minimise the quantity of waste to be disposed of to landfill;

·        proper storage and site practices to minimise the potential for damage or contamination of construction materials; and

·        plan and stock construction materials carefully to minimize amount of waste generated and avoid unnecessary generation of waste.

 

5.8              In addition to the above good site practices and waste reduction measures, specific mitigation measures are recommended below for the identified waste arisings to minimise environmental impacts during handling, transportation and disposal of these wastes.  The transportation of these wastes by barge to the disposal location is recommended, as far as practicable, in order to reduce potential noise and air quality impacts from road transportation.

 

Construction and Demolition Waste

 

5.9              Careful design, planning and good site management can minimize over-ordering and generation of waste materials such as concrete, mortar and cement grouts.  The design of formwork should maximize the use of standard wooden panels so that high reuse levels can be achieved.  Alternatives such as steel formwork or plastic facing should be considered to increase the potential for reuse.

 

5.10          The contractor should use as much of the C&D material as possible on-site.  Proper segregation of waste types on site will increase the feasibility of certain components of the waste stream by recycling contractors. 

 

5.11          To maximize landfill life, Government policy discourages the disposal of C&D wastes with more than 20% inert material (by volume) at landfill.  Inert C&D material (public fill) are directed to reclamation areas, where they have the added benefit of offsetting the need for removal of materials from borrow areas for reclamation purposes, or to an approved public filling area (PFA).  Due to limited space at landfills, disposal at reclamation sites or a PFA would be the preferred method.

 

Chemical Waste

 

5.12          After use, chemical wastes should be handled according to the Code of Practice on the Packaging, Labeling and Storage of Chemical Wastes.  Spent chemicals should be stored and collected by an approved operator for disposal at the Chemical Waste Treatment Facility or other licensed facility in accordance with the Chemical Waste (General) Regulation.

 

5.13          Containers used for the storage of chemical waste should:

 

·        Be suitable for the substance they are holding, resistant to corrosion, maintained in good condition, and securely closed;

·        Have a capacity of less than 450 litres unless the specifications have been approved by the EPD; and

·        Display a label in English and Chinese in accordance with instructions prescribed in Schedule 2 of the Regulations.

 

5.14          Containers used for the storage of chemical waste should:

 

·        Be suitable for the substance they are holding, resistant to corrosion, maintained in good condition, and securely closed;

·        Have a capacity of less than 450 litres unless the specifications have been approved by the EPD; and

·        Display a label in English and Chinese in accordance with instructions prescribed in Schedule 2 of the Regulations.

 

5.15          The storage area for chemical waste should:

 

·        Be clearly labeled and used solely for the storage of chemical waste;

·        Be enclosed on at least 3 sides;

·        Have an impermeable floor and bunding, of capacity to accommodate 110% of the volume of the largest container or 20% by volume of the chemical waste stored in that area, whichever is the greatest;

·        Have adequate ventilation;

·        Be covered to prevent rainfall entering (water collected within the bund must be tested and disposal as chemical waste if necessary); and

·        Be arranged so that incompatible materials are adequately separated.

 

5.16          Disposal of chemical waste should:

 

·        Be via a licensed waste collector; and

·        Be a facility licensed to receive chemical waste, such as the Chemical Waste Treatment Facility which offers a chemical waste collection service and can supply the necessary storage containers; or

·        Be a reuser of the waste, under approval from the EPD.

 

5.17          The Center for Environmental Technology operates a Waste Exchange Scheme which can assist in finding receivers or buyers for the small quantity of chemical waste to be generated from the Project.

 

General Refuse

 

5.18          General refuse should be stored in enclosed bins or compaction units separate from C&D and chemical wastes.  A reputable waste collector should be employed by the contractor to remove general refuse from the site, separately from C&D and chemical wastes, on a daily or every second day basis to minimize odour, pest and litter impacts. 

 

5.19          Aluminum cans are often recovered from the waste stream by individual collectors if they are segregated or easily accessible, so separate labeled bins for their deposit should be provided if feasible.  Site office waste can be reduced through recycling of paper if volumes are large enough to warrant collection.  Participation in a local collection scheme should be considered if one is available.

 

5.20          The implementation schedule of the recommended mitigation measures is presented in Appendix 2d.


Site Inspection

 

5.21          The site inspections and the document review procedures are mentioned in Section 8 of this manual, the ET Leader shall pay special attention to the issues relating to waste management, and check whether the Contractor has followed the recommended mitigation measures and the relevant legislation and guidelines.