6.1
This section identifies the types of wastes that are likely to be
generated during the construction and operation phases of the proposed Project
and evaluates the potential environmental impacts that may result from these
waste arisings.
6.2
The criteria and guidelines for assessing waste management implications
are outlined in Annex 7 and Annex 15 of the Technical Memorandum on
Environmental Impact Assessment Process (EIAO-TM), respectively.
6.3
The following legislation relates to the handling, treatment and
disposal of wastes in the Hong Kong SAR and will be used in assessing potential
impacts:
·
Waste Disposal Ordinance (Cap. 354);
·
Waste Disposal (Chemical Waste) (General) Regulation (Cap. 354C);
·
Land (Miscellaneous Provisions) Ordinance (Cap. 28);
·
Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance (Cap. 132) - Public
Cleansing and Prevention of Nuisances Regulation.
6.4
The Waste Disposal Ordinance (WDO) prohibits the unauthorised disposal
of wastes. Construction waste is not
directly defined in the WDO but is considered to fall within the category of
“trade waste”. Trade waste is defined
as waste from any trade, manufacturer or business, or any waste building, or
civil engineering materials, but does not include animal waste. Under the WDO, wastes can be disposed of at
sites licensed by the EPD.
6.5
The Public Cleansing and Prevention of Nuisance Regulation provides
control on illegal tipping of wastes on unauthorised (unlicensed) sites.
Construction and
Demolition (C&D) Materials
6.6
The current policy related to the dumping of C&D material is
documented in the Works Branch Technical Circular No. 2/93, ‘Public Dump’. Construction and demolition materials that
are wholly inert, namely public fill, should not be disposed of to landfill,
but taken to public filling areas, which usually form part of reclamation
schemes. The Land (Miscellaneous
Provisions) Ordinance requires that dumping licences are obtained by
individuals or companies who deliver public fill to public filling areas. The Civil Engineering & Development
Department (CEDD) issues the licences under delegated powers from the Director
of Lands.
6.7
Under the proposed Waste Disposal (Charges for Disposal of Construction
Waste) Regulation to be implemented in 2005, construction waste delivered to a
landfill for disposal must not contain more than 50% by weight of inert
material. Construction waste delivered
to a sorting facility for disposal must contain more than 50% by weight of
inert material, and construction waste delivered to a public fill reception
facility for disposal must consist entirely of inert material.
Chemical Waste
6.8
Under the regulation of WDO, the Waste Disposal (Chemical Waste)
(General) Regulation provides regulations for chemical waste control, and
administers the possession, storage, collection, transport and disposal of
chemical wastes. The Environmental
Protection Department (EPD) has also issued a ‘guideline’ document, the Code of
Practice on the Packaging, Labelling and Storage of Chemical Wastes (1992),
which details how the Contractor should comply with the regulations on chemical
wastes.
6.9
The criteria for assessing waste management implications are outlined in
Annex 7 of the EIAO-TM. The methods for
assessing potential waste management impacts during the construction and
operation phases of the Project follow those presented in Annex 15 of the
EIAO-TM and include the following:
·
estimation of the types and quantities of the wastes generated;
·
assessment of potential impacts from the management of solid waste with
respect to potential hazards, air and odour emissions, noise and wastewater
discharges; and
·
impacts on the capacity of waste collection, transfer and disposal
facilities.
6.10
It should be noted that at this preliminary design stage, only
preliminary information of the proposed construction activities is available
from the heliport operator. Hence, the
types of wastes likely to be generated during the construction stage of the
Project would be examined in greater detail in the Waste Management Plan to be
prepared by the Contractor.
Construction Phase
6.11
The proposed heliport expansion would include a helipad on the roof-top
of the eastern side of the Inner Pier of the MFT. Site formation or dredging works would not be required for the
Project.
6.12
The aluminium design for the proposed new landing/take-off pad would be
built on the existing rooftop of the MFT Inner Pier. Demolition of existing structures would not be required.
6.13
The existing helicopter operators in Hong Kong have been consulted and
it is anticipated that the waste arisings would not be significant during the
construction activities for the proposed Project. Minimal waste arisings would be anticipated from the possible
provision of segregation facilities and measures to accommodate domestic
helicopter services and the possible expansion of the existing helipad. Identified waste arisings during the
construction phase would likely include general refuse from the workforce and
chemical waste from the maintenance of construction plant, and potential
environmental impacts associated with these waste arisings are described in
greater detail below.
General Refuse
6.14
Throughout construction, the workforce would generate refuse comprising
food scraps, waste paper, empty containers, etc. Release of general refuse into marine waters should not be
permitted, as introduction of these wastes is likely to have detrimental
effects on water quality in the area.
Rapid and effective collection of site wastes would be required to
prevent waste materials being blown around by wind, flushed or leached into the
marine environment, and odour nuisance.
The work sites may also attract pests and vermin if the waste storage
area is not well maintained and cleaned regularly. Disposal of refuse at sites other than approved waste transfer or
disposal facilities can also result in similar impacts. With the implementation of good waste
management practices at the site, adverse environmental impacts would not be
expected to arise from the storage, handling and transportation of workforce
wastes.
Chemical Waste
6.15
The maintenance and servicing of construction plant and equipment may
possibly generate some chemical wastes, for instance, cleaning fluids,
solvents, lubrication oil and fuel. It
is not possible to quantify the amount of chemical waste that will arise from
the construction activities, since it will be dependent on the Contractor’s
on-site maintenance requirements and the amount of plant utilised. The amount of chemical waste expected to be
generated will be quantified in the site Waste Management Plan to be prepared
by the Contractor.
6.16
Chemical wastes arising during the construction phase may pose
environmental, health and safety hazards if not stored and disposed of in an
appropriate manner as stipulated in the Waste Disposal (Chemical Waste)
(General) Regulations. The potential hazards include:
·
Toxic effects to workers
·
Adverse impacts on water quality from spills
·
Fire hazards.
6.17
Materials classified as chemical wastes will require special handling
and storage arrangements before removal for appropriate treatment at the
Chemical Waste Treatment Facility at Tsing Yi. Wherever possible opportunities should be taken to reuse and
recycle materials. Mitigation and
control requirements for chemical wastes are detailed in Sections 6.22 - 6.23. Provided that the handling, storage and
disposal of chemical wastes are in accordance with these requirements, adverse
environmental impacts are not expected to result.
Operation Phase
6.18
According to the heliport operators experience in Macau, waste arisings
from maintenance activities would not be anticipated.
Mitigation
Measures
6.19
With the limited quantities of construction waste arisings likely to
result from the minor land-based construction works for the Project, it is not
anticipated that adverse waste management related impacts would arise. Nevertheless, good site practices are
recommended during the construction phase to minimize the potential for
environmental nuisance.
Good Site Practices
6.20
Recommendations for good site practices during the construction
activities include:
·
nomination of an approved personnel, such as a site manager, to be
responsible for the implementation of 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 site cleanliness, appropriate waste
management procedures and concepts of waste reduction, reuse and recycling;
·
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;
·
regular cleaning and maintenance programme for drainage systems, sumps
and oil interceptors;
·
a waste management plan (WMP) should be prepared in accordance with ETWB
TCW No. 15/2003 and submitted to the Engineer for approval.
General Refuse
6.21
General refuse should be stored in enclosed bins or compaction
units. A reputable waste collector
should be employed by the contractor to remove general refuse from the
site. An enclosed and covered area is
preferred to reduce the occurrence of 'wind blown' light material.
Chemical Wastes
6.22
If chemical wastes are produced at the construction site, the Contractor
would be required to register with the EPD as a Chemical Waste Producer and to follow
the guidelines stated in the Code of Practice on the Packaging, Labelling and
Storage of Chemical Wastes. The Waste
Disposal Ordinance (Cap 354) and its subsidiary regulations, in particular the
Waste Disposal (Chemical Waste) (General) Regulation, should be observed and
complied with for control of chemical wastes.
The Contractor shall use a licensed collector to transport and dispose
of the chemical wastes, to either the Chemical Waste Treatment Centre at Tsing
Yi, or another licensed facility, in accordance with the Waste Disposal
(Chemical Waste) (General) Regulation.
6.23
Disposal of chemical wastes should be carried out in compliance with the
Waste Disposal Ordinance. The Code of Practice on the Packaging, Labelling and
Storage of Chemical Wastes published under the Waste Disposal Ordinance details
the requirements to deal with chemical wastes. General requirements are given
as follows:
·
Suitable containers should be used to hold the chemical wastes to avoid
leakage or spillage during storage, handling and transport.
·
Chemical waste containers should be suitably labelled, to notify and
warn the personnel who are handling the wastes, to avoid accidents.
·
Storage area should be selected at a safe location on site and adequate
space should be allocated to the storage area.
Conclusion
6.24
This assessment of waste management implications indicated that waste
arisings would not be anticipated during maintenance activities of the expanded
heliport facilities. Construction waste
arisings have been examined, based on the available information from the
heliport operator. Significant waste
arisings would not be expected since there would not be any site formation
works or demolition of existing structures for the expansion works.
6.25
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. Details
of the waste arisings and management procedures, based on the Contractor’s
proposed working method, will be described in the Waste Management Plan to be
prepared by the Contractor at the commencement of the construction phase.