5.         WASTE MANAGEMENT

5.1               Introduction

5.1.1          Waste management during construction phase 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.

5.1.2          Waste generated by construction activities are likely to include construction and demolition (C&D) materials generated from the road works, associated slope works and construction of noise barriers, general refuse from the workforce and chemical waste generated from the maintenance and servicing of construction plant and equipment.  It is recommended that waste materials generated during the construction activities to be audited at regular intervals (at least quarterly) to ensure that proper storage, transportation and disposal practices are being implemented.  This monitoring of waste management practices will ensure that these solid wastes generated during construction are not disposed of into the surrounding water receiving bodies.  The Contractor will be responsible for the implementation of any mitigation measures to minimize waste or redress problems arising from the waste materials.

5.2               Mitigation Measures

5.2.1          Mitigation measures for waste management are summarised below.  With the appropriate handling, storage and removal of waste arising during the construction works as defined below, the potential to cause adverse environmental impacts will be minimised.  The implementation schedule of the recommended mitigation measures is presented in Appendix A.  During the site inspections, the ET shall pay special attention to the issues relating to waste management and check whether the Contractor has implemented the recommended good site practices and other mitigation measures.

Good Site Practices

5.2.2          Adverse impacts related to waste management are not expected to arise, provided that good site practices are adhered to.  Recommendations for good site practices during the construction activities include:

§         Nomination of an approved person, 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;

§         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).

Waste Reduction Measures

5.2.3          Good management and control can prevent the generation of a 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;

§         Encourage collection of aluminium cans by providing separate labelled bins to enable this waste to be segregated from other general refuse generated by the workforce;

§         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 minimise amount of waste generated and avoid unnecessary generation of waste.

5.2.4          In addition to the above measures, specific mitigation measures are recommended below for the identified waste arisings to minimise environmental impacts during handling, transportation and disposal of these wastes.

Construction and Demolition Material

5.2.5          In order to minimise the impact resulting from collection and transportation of inert C&D material for off-site disposal, it is recommended that the excavated fill material shall be re-used on-site as backfill material as far as possible.  The surplus excavated material should be disposed of at the designated public fill reception facility, as agreed with the Secretary of the Public Fill Committee, for other beneficial uses.  C&D waste would require disposal to the designated landfill site.  In order to monitor the disposal of C&D materials at the public fill reception facility and landfill and to control fly-tipping, a trip-ticket system should be included (see ETWB TCW No. 31/2004 for details).

Chemical Wastes

5.2.6          After use, chemical wastes (for example, cleaning fluids, solvents, lubrication oil and fuel) should be handled according to the Code of Practice on the Packaging, Labelling and Storage of Chemical Wastes.  Spent chemicals should be collected by a licensed collector for disposal at the CWTC or other licensed facility, in accordance with the Waste Disposal (Chemical Waste) (General) Regulation.

General Refuse

5.2.7          General refuse should be stored in enclosed bins or compaction units separate from C&D material.  A reputable waste collector should be employed by the contractor to remove general refuse from the site, separately from C&D material.  An enclosed and covered area is preferred to reduce the occurrence of 'wind blown' light material.