Chapter    Title                                                                                                                           Page

7.1              Introduction________________________________________________________________ 7-1

7.2              Environmental Legislation, Standards and Guidelines_______________________________ 7-1

7.3              Assessment Methodology_____________________________________________________ 7-2

7.4              Identification, Prediction and Evaluation of Environmental Impact_______________________ 7-4

7.5              Opportunities for Reducing Waste Generation and Maximise Re-Use____________________ 7-7

7.6              Mitigation of Adverse Environmental Impacts_______________________________________ 7-9

7.7              Impacts Caused by Handling, Collection and Disposal of C&D Materials________________ 7-11

7.8              Waste Handling Procedures and Routes_________________________________________ 7-11

7.9              Evaluation of Residual Impacts________________________________________________ 7-14

7.10            Environmental Monitoring and Audit_____________________________________________ 7-14

7.11            Conclusion_______________________________________________________________ 7-14

 

Tables

Table 7.1:__ Summary of Waste Handling Procedures and Routes during Construction Phase_ 7-12

 

Figures

Figure 7.1              Potential Locations of Piers

Figure 7.2              Locations of Possible Temporary Stockpiling Areas

 


7.               Waste Management Implications


7.1               Introduction

This section identifies the types of solid wastes that are likely to be generated during the construction and operation phases of the Project and evaluates the potential environmental impacts that may result from these wastes in accordance with section 3.4.7 of the Study Brief (ESB-199/2008) as well as the criteria and guidelines outlined in Annex 7 and Annex 15 of the Technical Memorandum on Environmental Impact Assessment Process (EIAO-TM), respectively.

Wastes arising from construction works are mainly from tunnel excavation, and other construction activities for the proposed Boundary Control Point (BCP), viaducts and ventilation buildings. Wastes arising during operation phase would mainly be general refuse from the staff and public at the BCP and chemical wastes from maintenance works. Environmental mitigation measures and good site practices, including waste handling, storage and disposal, are recommended with reference to the applicable waste legislation and guidelines.

7.2               Environmental Legislation, Standards and Guidelines

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.

The following legislation which relates to the handling, treatment and disposal of wastes in the Hong Kong SAR are applied in the assessment of waste management implication:

¡      Waste Disposal Ordinance (Cap. 354)

¡      Waste Disposal (Chemical Waste) (General) Regulation (Cap. 354)

¡      Waste Disposal (Charges for Disposal of Construction Waste) Regulation (Cap. 354)

¡      Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance (Cap. 132) - Public Cleansing and Prevention of Nuisances Regulation

¡      Land (Miscellaneous Provisions) Ordinance (Cap. 28)

7.2.1           Waste Management

The Waste Disposal Ordinance (WDO) prohibits the unauthorised disposal of wastes. Construction waste is defined as any substance, matter or thing that is generated from construction work and abandoned, whether or not it has been processed or stockpiled before being abandoned, but does not include any sludge, screenings or matter removed in or generated from any desludging, desilting or dredging works. Under the WDO, wastes can be disposed of only at designated waste disposal facilities.

Under the WDO, the Chemical Waste (General) Regulation 1992 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.

The Public Cleansing and Prevention of Nuisances Regulation provide control on illegal tipping of wastes on unauthorised (unlicensed) sites.

7.2.2           Construction and Demolition (C&D) Materials

The current policy related to the dumping of construction and demolition (C&D) material is documented in the Works Branch Technical Circular No. 2/93, ‘Public Dumps’. C&D 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 be 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.

Under the Waste Disposal (Charges for Disposal of Construction Waste) Regulation, enacted in January 2006, 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.

Measures have been introduced under Environment, Transport and Works Bureau (ETWB) TCW No. 33/2002, “Management of Construction and Demolition Material Including Rock” to enhance the management of construction and demolition material, and to minimize its generation at source. The enhancement measures include: (i) drawing up a Construction and Demolition Material Management Plan (C&DMMP) at the feasibility study or preliminary design stage to minimize C&D material generation and encourage proper management of such material; and (ii) providing the contractor with information from the C&DMMP in order to facilitate them in the preparation of the Waste Management Plan (WMP) and to minimize C&D material generation during construction. Projects generating less than 50,000m3 of C&D material or importing less than 50,000 m3 of fill material are exempt from the C&DMMP. The ETWB TCW No. 19/2005 “Environmental Management on Construction Sites” includes procedures on waste management requiring contractors to reduce the C&D material to be disposed of during the course of construction. Under ETWB TCW No. 19/2005, the contractor is required to prepare and implement an Environmental Management Plan (EMP) and the Waste Management Plan (WMP) becomes part of the EMP.

7.3               Assessment Methodology

In accordance with section 3.4.7.1 of the EIA Study Brief, the criteria for evaluating and assessing the waste management implications shall follow Annexes 7 and 15 of the EIAO-TM and the assessment shall cover the scope outlined in sections 3.4.7.2 (i) to (iii) of the EIA Study Brief which include the following:

7.3.1           Analysis of Activities and Waste Generation

 

¡      Identify the quantity, quality and timing of waste arising as a result of the construction and operation activities of the Project, and based on the sequence and duration of these activities to evaluate the potential environmental impacts that may result from these wastes. 

7.3.2           Proposal for Waste Management

 

¡      Prior to considering the disposal options for various types of wastes, opportunities for reducing waste generation, on-site or off-site re-use and recycling shall be fully evaluated.

¡      Estimation of the types and quantities of the wastes required to be disposal of shall be described in detail.

¡      The disposal method / options for each type of waste shall be described.

¡      Assessment of potential impacts from the management of solid waste with respect to potential hazards, air and odour emissions, noise, wastewater discharges and public transport.

7.3.3           Dredging/Excavation, Filling and Dumping

 

¡      Identify and quantify dredging/excavation, fill extraction, filling, reclamation, sediment/mud transportation and disposal activities and requirements.

¡      Identify fill source and dumping ground to be involved.

¡      Identify and evaluate the best practical dredging/excavation methods to minimize dredging/ excavation and dumping requirements and demand for fill sources.

7.3.4           Potential Locations Requiring Sediment Dredging / Excavation

7.3.4.1         BCP and its connecting road

For the area of the proposed BCP and its connecting road, a review of the historical aerial photographs suggested that there is minimal change in land use in the area. The land in the study area was mainly for agricultural use, except for the hillside areas which were not cultivated. Fish pond is not present.

Piers would not be erected inside the existing rivers/channels. As such, excavation of sediment at these river/channel beds is not anticipated. 

Sediment is suspected to be present at Kong Yiu Channel requiring excavation and disposal. However, no sediment sampling and testing was proposed at this channel as there is no evidence of contaminating sources from nearby land uses both current and historical, which mainly consist of agricultural land. Moreover, only small quantity of sediment would likely be generated during the construction of box culvert. Given that small quantity of sediment is anticipated, it is proposed that the excavated sediment should be reused on-site as backfilling material to minimize off-site disposal.

For the new bridge piers which would be required to be installed in areas between Hong Kong Boundary Control Point and Shenzhen Boundary Control Point, relevant historical aerial photographs taken at the potential area in which the new bridge piers would be located were reviewed (Figure 7.1). The historical aerial photographs indicated minor change to the alignment of the river when compared with the present river alignment. Notwithstanding this, the land in the potential areas in which the piers would be located was mainly for agricultural use, while fish pond is not present.

Sediment is not anticipated to be present at the existing land based area for the potential pier locations. Therefore, no sediment sampling and testing was proposed as there is no evidence of contaminating sources from nearby land uses which mainly consist of agricultural land, based on historical photographs.

In case sediment is present during construction, it is anticipated that only a small quantity of sediment would likely be generated during the construction of piers by excavation. Given that only a small quantity of sediment is anticipated, it is proposed that the excavated sediment should be reused on-site as backfilling material to minimize off-site disposal.

Based on the abovementioned justifications, no sediment sampling and testing is therefore proposed as part of the EIA study.

7.4               Identification, Prediction and Evaluation of Environmental Impact

7.4.1           Construction Phase

The construction activities would generate a variety of wastes that can be divided into distinct categories based on their composition and ultimate method of disposal.  The identified waste types include:

¡      C&D materials;

¡      Fill material required;

¡      C&D wastes;

¡      General refuse; and

¡      Chemical waste.

Each type of waste and fill materials generated and required is described below, together with an evaluation of the potential environmental impacts associated with generation, handling, storage and transport of the waste.

7.4.1.1         Construction and Demolition (C&D) Materials

Tunnelling works and earth works for the BCP and the connecting road construction would generate C&D materials. It is anticipated that the volume of C&D materials to be generated would be approximately 3,414,239 m3, which would be rock material mainly generated from tunnelling works, site formation for BCP and construction of the connecting road. The amount of C&D material to be generated would be quantified in the Waste Management Plan to be prepared by the Contractor.

In order to minimise the impact resulting from collection and transportation of C&D material for off-site disposal, the excavated material that could be reused should be reused on-site as filling material required for earthworks for site formation of the proposed BCP and fill embankments of the connecting road as far as practicable. About 27.1% or 924,992 m3 of C&D materials would be reused on site. The surplus C&D materials requiring off-site disposal is thus approximately 72.9% or 2,489,247 m3. Temporary storage area would be arranged to facilitate the reuse of C&D material. Appropriate measures such as dust suppression measures as required under the Air Pollution Control (Construction Dust) Regulation and good site practices outlined in ProPECC Note PN 1/94 Construction Site Drainage to minimise washing away of stockpiled C&D material should be followed as far as practicable. Part of the works areas at Kau Lung Hang, Lau Shui Heung and Shan Tong are proposed to be the temporary stockpiling area for C&D material to be reused on site (the indicative locations are shown in Figure 7.2).

To maximize reuse of C&D material on site, on-site sorting to recover inert C&D materials would be performed as far as practicable before offsite disposal.

The surplus rock and other inert C&D material would be disposed of at the Government’s Public Fill Reception Facilities (PFRFs) at Tuen Man Area 38 for beneficial use by other projects in the HKSAR as the last resort. The strategy for handling and disposal of the substantial amount of C&D material off-site from the works area is essential as it would impose road traffic impact and environmental impacts along the haul route to the nearby community and even affect the programme of the construction works.

Fill Management Committee (FMC) have no objection to receiving the surplus C&D material generated from the project provided that the feasibility of provision of on-site sorting/crushing facilities would be reviewed in the detailed investigation and design stage of the project with a view to maximizing the reuse of the surplus C&D materials and would identify and liaise with other project offices for possible reuse of the surplus inert C&D material to be generated from the project, or supply of fill material for reuse in the project. Confirmation on the proposed disposal arrangement shall be obtained from Public Fill Committee (PFC) prior to the commencement of the construction works. No construction work is allowed to proceed until all issue on management of C&D materials have been resolved and all relevant arrangements have been endorsed by the relevant authorities including PFC and EPD.  

7.4.1.2         Fill Material Required

About 1,347,744 m3 of general fill material would be required for earthworks for site formation of the proposed BCP and fill embankments of the connecting road. Approximately 924,992 m3 of the required general fill material would be acquired from the inert soft C&D material generated from slope cutting and tunnelling works. The remaining 422,752 m3 would be imported from the public fill reception facility at Tuen Mun Area 38.

7.4.1.3         C&D Waste

Approximately 68,727m3 of C&D waste generated from the proposed road works and site formation works. The mixture of topsoil and vegetative material is regarded as C&D waste (or non-inert material), and is considered not suitable to be used in any earthworks on site due to its organic properties. However, suitable materials will be reused as far as practicable, subject to the detailed landscaping design of project and the restraint of limited site area.  The amount of such materials to be reused on site would be estimated in the Waste Management Plan to be prepared by the Contractor. The remaining will be disposed of at a licensed landfill or an authorised waste transfer facility, which serves as the last resort for handling C&D waste. The nearby NENT Landfill will be a convenient location for disposal of this C&D waste.

7.4.1.4         General Refuse 

The construction workforce will generate refuse comprising food scraps, waste paper, empty containers, etc. Such refuse should be properly managed so intentional or accidental release to the surrounding environment does not occur. Disposal of refuse at sites other than approved waste transfer or disposal facilities shall be prohibited. Effective collection of site wastes will be required to prevent waste materials being blown around by wind, flushed or leached into the environment, or creating an odour nuisance or pest and vermin problem. Waste storage areas shall be well maintained and cleaned regularly. With the implementation of good waste management practices at the site, adverse environmental impacts are not expected to arise from the storage, handling and transportation of workforce wastes. 

The maximum number of construction workers to be employed is estimated to be less than 900 workers.  Based on a generation rate of 0.65 kg per worker per day, the maximum daily arising of general refuse during the construction period would be approximately 585 kg and this waste can be effectively controlled by normal measures.

7.4.1.5         Chemical Waste

The maintenance and servicing of construction plant and equipment may generate some chemical wastes such as cleaning fluids, solvents, lubrication oil and fuel. Maintenance of plant and equipment may also involve the use of a variety of chemicals, oil and lubricants. It is difficult 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. However, it is anticipated that the quantity of chemical waste, such as lubricating oil and solvent produced from plant maintenance, would be small and in the order of a few cubic metres per month. The amount of chemical waste to be generated will be quantified in the Waste Management Plan to be prepared by the Contractor.

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; and

¡      Fire hazards.

Materials classified as chemical wastes would require special handling and storage arrangements before removal for appropriate treatment at the approved Chemical Waste Treatment Facility. Wherever possible opportunities should be taken to reuse and recycle materials. Mitigation and control requirements for chemical wastes are detailed in Section 7.6.1.5. Provided that the handling, storage and disposal of chemical wastes are in accordance with these requirements, adverse environmental impacts are not expected.

7.4.2           Operation Phase

It is anticipated that waste management during operation phase of the proposed BCP and its associated facilities would involve the following waste generating activities:

¡      BCP operation;

¡      Office activities;

¡      Retail stores within BCP;

¡      Canteens;

¡      Plant maintenance workshops; and

¡      Wastewater treatment

Variety of wastes would be generated from abovementioned activities through the BCP operations. Types of wastes to be generated could be categorised as follows:

¡      General refuse;

¡      Chemical waste; and

¡      Sludge from sewage treatment.

The nature of each waste type is discussed below:

7.4.2.1         General Refuse

General refuse from BCP operation are mainly generated from retail stores within the proposed BCP, canteen and office activities such as food scraps, waste paper, empty containers, etc. Such refuse should be properly managed so that intentional or accidental release to the surrounding environment does not occur.

Effective collection of general wastes would be required to prevent waste materials from creating an odour nuisance or pest and vermin problem. Waste storage areas should be well maintained and cleaned regularly. To reduce waste and improve recycling, it is expected that waste such as waste paper and aluminium cans could be recycled.

7.4.2.2         Chemical Waste

Chemical waste would be generated from various routine maintenance activities, such as maintenance of air compressor, air conditioning (A/C), generator and fixed plant equipment, etc. Chemical waste such as waste lube oil, contamination rags, waste paint, waste cleaning solvent, used batteries, oil, acids and alkalis, solvents and spent chemical and lubricant are expected to be generated from these activities. It is difficult to quantify the amount of chemical waste that will arise from those activities at this stage since it would be dependent on the equipment maintenance requirements and the amount of equipment utilised. 

As discussed in Section 7.4.1.5, chemical wastes 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. Chemical wastes should require special handling and storage arrangements in accordance with the relevant regulations before removal for appropriate treatment at the licensed Chemical Waste Treatment Facility.  Wherever possible opportunities should be taken to reuse and recycle materials. Mitigation and control requirements for chemical wastes are detailed in Section 7.6.2.2. Provided that the handling, storage and disposal of chemical wastes are in accordance with these requirements, adverse environmental impacts are not expected.

7.4.2.3         Waste from Sewage Treatment

The waste arising from operation of the proposed sewage treatment system is discussed in Section 6.

7.5               Opportunities for Reducing Waste Generation and Maximise Re-Use

Opportunities to minimise C&D material generation and maximise use of material generated as mentioned under section 3.4.7.2 (ii)(a) of EIA Study Brief was considered and reviewed during construction phase and are presented below:

 

Ways to minimise the generation of C&D material

·        Optimising the design of alignment of the connecting road, taking into account all development constraints and public concerns, to minimise the amount of demolition and excavation works

 

·        Adoption of pre-cast construction method to minimise the generation of C&D material on site

 

·      Provision  of good practice training and adoption of site management to minimise waste general and cross contamination

 

·      Adoption of more soil retaining structures and soil nailing at cut slopes in geotechnical design of site formation where site condition allows

 

Ways to maximise the use of inert C&D material

·      Provision and utilising of on-site sorting facilities to maximise the use of inert C&D material

 

·      Use of inert C&D material to construct the formation of road works and the works of the other aspects of this project

 

Ways to maximise the reuse of C&D material and/or rock on site

·      Adoption of repetitive design to allow the reuse of formwork plywood

 

·      Use of steel or aluminium  formworks and falseworks

 

·      Adoption of terracing design for road formation with a view to maximising filling and minimising slope cutting

 

·      Provision and utilising of on-site sorting facilities as far as practicable to maximise the reuse of excavated  material and rock  for site formation and construction of fill embankments

 

·      Reuse of suitable topsoil and vegetative material in landscaping works as far as practicable

 

Ways to maximise the use of recycled C&D material

·      Use of recycled inert C&D material or products with recycled aggregates for temporary or permanent works, such as concrete pacing blocks

 

The Contractor will be required under the construction contract to minimise the generation and maximise the reuse of C&D material.  Some of the requirements are summarised below:

(a)       to plan for minimising the generation of C&D material in any temporary design, contractor’s design, construction sequence and methodologies;

(b)       to submit and implement an Environmental Management Plan (EMP) in accordance with Environment Transport and Works Bureau Technical Circular (ETWBTC) No. 19/2005 or any succeeding circular(s), and establish a mechanism to record the quantities of C&D materials generated and required each month and estimate the quantities of C&D materials that will be generated and required each year, and report to the Project Office;

(c)       to establish a Trip-Ticket System as stipulated in ETWBTC No. 31/2004 or any superseding circular(s), for proper disposal of C&D waste to the designated outlets;

(d)       to reuse recycled aggregates in accordance with ETWBTC No. 12/2002 or any superseding circular(s);

(e)       to properly sort C&D materials into inert C&D materials, metals, timber and other non-inert C&D waste in the workplace to prevent cross-contamination. Under the Waste Disposal (Charges for Disposal of Construction Waste) Regulation, construction waste delivered to landfill for disposal must not contain more than 50% by weight of inert construction waste and construction waste delivered to a public fill reception facility for disposal must consist entirely of inert construction waste.

7.6               Mitigation of Adverse Environmental Impacts

7.6.1           Construction Phase

7.6.1.1         Good Site Practices

Adverse impacts related to waste management such as potential hazard, air, odour, noise, wastewater discharge and public transport as mentioned in section 3.4.7.2 (ii)(c) of the Study Brief are not expected to arise, provided that good site practices are strictly followed. 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 of waste;

¡      Dust suppression measures as required under the Air Pollution Control (Construction Dust) Regulation should be followed as far as practicable. Appropriate measures to minimise windblown litter and dust/odour during transportation of waste by covering trucks or in enclosed containers;

¡      General refuse shall be removed away immediately for disposal. As such, odour is not anticipated to be an issue to distant sensitive receivers;

¡      Provision of wheel washing facilities before the trucks leaving the works area so as to minimise dust introduction from public road;

¡      Covers and water spraying system should be provided for the stockpiled C&D material to prevent dust impact or being washed away;

¡      Designate different locations for storage of C&D material to enhance reuse;

¡      Well planned programme for transportation of C&D material to lessen the off-site traffic impact. Well planned delivery programme for offsite disposal and imported filling material such that adverse noise impact from transporting of C&D material is not anticipated;

¡      Site practices outlined in ProPECC PN 1/94 “Construction Site Drainage” should be adopted as far as practicable, such as cleaning and maintenance of drainage systems regularly; and

¡      Provision of cover for the stockpile material, sand bag or earth bund as barrier to prevent material from washing away and entering the drains.

7.6.1.2         Waste Reduction Measures

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:

¡      Sort C&D material from demolition and decommissioning of the existing facilities to recover recyclable portions such as metals;

¡      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 work force;

¡      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.

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

7.6.1.3         C&D Material

In order to minimise impacts resulting from collection and transportation of C&D material for off-site disposal, the excavated materials should be reused on-site as backfilling material as far as practicable.  The surplus rock and other inert C&D material would be disposed of at the Government’s Public Fill Reception Facilities (PFRFs) at Tuen Mun Area 38 for beneficial use by other projects in the HKSAR as the last resort. C&D waste generated from general site clearance and tree felling works would require disposal to the designated landfill site. Other mitigation requirements are listed below:

¡      A Waste Management Plan should be prepared and implemented in accordance with ETWB TC(W) No. 19/2005 Environmental Management on Construction Site; and

¡      In order to monitor the disposal of C&D material and solid wastes at public filling facilities and landfills, and to control fly-tipping, a trip-ticket system (e.g. ETWB TCW No. 31/2004) should be included.

7.6.1.4         General Refuse

General refuse should be stored in enclosed bins or compaction units separated from other C&D material.  A reputable waste collector is to be employed by the Contractor to remove general refuse from the site separately. Preferably an enclosed and covered area should be provided to reduce the occurrence of 'wind blown' litter.

7.6.1.5         Chemical Waste

If chemical wastes are produced at the construction site, the Contractor will 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. Good quality containers compatible with the chemical wastes should be used, and incompatible chemicals should be stored separately. Appropriate labels should be securely attached on each chemical waste container indicating the corresponding chemical characteristics of the chemical waste, such as explosive, flammable, oxidizing, irritant, toxic, harmful, corrosive, etc. The Contractor shall use a licensed collector to transport and dispose of the chemical wastes, to the licensed Chemical Waste Treatment Centre, or other licensed facilities, in accordance with the Waste Disposal (Chemical Waste) (General) Regulation.

7.6.2           Operation Phase

7.6.2.1         General Refuse

General refuse should be collected on daily basis and delivered to the refuse collection point accordingly. A reputable waste collector should be employed to remove general refuse regularly to avoid odour nuisance or pest and vermin problem. Recycling containers are recommended to be provided to encourage recycling of aluminium cans and waste paper.

7.6.2.2         Chemical Waste

As chemical wastes are expected to be produced during operation, registration with the EPD as a chemical waste producer should be made and guidelines stated in the Code of Practice on the Packaging, Labelling and Storage of Chemical Wastes should be followed. Good quality containers compatible with the chemical wastes should be used, and incompatible chemicals should be stored separately.  Appropriate labels should be securely attached on each chemical waste container indicating the corresponding chemical characteristics of the chemical waste, such as explosive, flammable, oxidizing, irritant, toxic, harmful, corrosive, etc.  Licensed collector should be deployed to transport and dispose of the chemical wastes, to the licensed Chemical Waste Treatment Centre, or licensed facilities, in accordance with the Waste Disposal (Chemical Waste) (General) Regulation.

7.7               Impacts Caused by Handling, Collection and Disposal of C&D Materials

With careful planning for handling, collection and disposal of the C&D materials and with implementation of good waste management practices, recommended mitigation measures as stated in Sections 7.6.1.1 to 7.6.2.2 and recommended handling and disposal methods as mentioned in Table 7.1, potential hazard, air and odour emission, noise and wastewater discharge impacts caused by handling, collection and disposal of waste is expected to be minimal.  

7.8               Waste Handling Procedures and Routes

Table 7.1 provides a summary of the various waste types likely to be generated during the construction activities for the BCP and associated facilities together with the recommended handling and disposal methods.


 

Table 7.1:      Summary of Waste Handling Procedures and Routes during Construction Phase

Waste Material Type

Generated from works item

Timing to be Generated / Imported

Total Quantity Generated / Imported

Quantity to be reused on-site

Quantity to be disposed off-site

Disposal / Import

Handling

C&D material produced (excluding excavated rock)

Slope cutting alongside the connecting road and tunnelling near the portals, demolition and site formation works

Approximately from early 2012 to late 2015

341,684m3

231,560m3

110,124m3

To be temporarily stockpiled on site and transported to the proposed BCP site for reuse in earthworks for site formation or

to be disposed of at the Government’s Public Fill Reception Facilities (PFRFs) for beneficial use by other projects in the HKSAR as last resort

Segregate inert C&D material to avoid contamination from other waste arising

C&D material produced (Excavated rock)

Mainly from tunnelling works and partly from slope cutting in road works

Approximately from early 2012 to late 2015

3,003,828m3

693,432m3

2,310,396m3

To be disposed of at the Government’s Public Fill Reception Facilities (PFRFs) for beneficial use by other projects in the HKSAR as last resort

Segregate inert C&D material to avoid contamination from other waste arising

C&D waste produced

Mixture of topsoil and vegetative material from proposed road works and site clearance works

Approximately from late 2012 to mid 2018

68,727m3

-

68,727m3

To be disposed of at a licensed landfill or an authorised waste transfer facility

Suitable material to be extracted for reuse as far as practicable by on site sorting, while the remaining should be segregated on site from inert C&D portion.

Imported general fill material

Required for earthworks for site formation of the BCP and fill embankments of the connecting road

Approximately from early 2015 to late 2015

422,752m3

-

-

Obtained from public fill reception facility at Tuen Mun Area 38

-

General Refuse

Waste paper, discarded containers, etc. generated from workforce

Approximately from early 2012 to mid 2018

General Refuse to be 585 kg per day (preliminary estimate based on maximum workforce of 900)

 

-

General Refuse to be 585 kg per day (preliminary estimate based on maximum workforce of 900)

 

Refuse station for compaction and containerisation and then to landfill

Provide on-site refuse collection points

Chemical Waste

Cleaning fluids, solvent, lubrication oil and fuel from construction plant and equipment

Approximately from late 2012 to mid 2018

Few cubic metres per month

(preliminary estimate)

 

-

Few cubic metres per month

(preliminary estimate)

 

Chemical Waste Treatment Centre or

other licensed facilities

Recycle on-site or by licensed companies. Stored on-site within suitably designed containers


7.9               Evaluation of Residual Impacts

With the implementation of the recommended mitigation measures for the handling, transportation and disposal of the identified waste arising, residual impacts are not expected for both construction and operation phases.

7.10          Environmental Monitoring and Audit

Waste management would be the contractor’s responsibility to ensure that all wastes produced during the construction phase are handled, stored and disposed of in accordance with good waste management practices and EPD’s regulations and requirements. The recommended mitigation measures should form the basis of the Waste Management Plan to be developed by the Contractor in the construction phase. The Waste Management Plan shall be prepared and implemented in accordance with ETWB TC (W) No. 19/2005 Environmental Management on Construction Site.

During construction phase, regular site inspection as part of the EM&A procedures should be carried out to determine if wastes are being managed in accordance with approved procedures and the Waste Management Plan. Different aspects of waste management including waste generation, storage, recycling, treatment, transport and disposal would be included in the programme.

7.11          Conclusion

Wastes generated by the construction activities are likely to include C&D materials from the construction works, general refuse from the workforce and chemical waste from any maintenance of construction plant and equipment. Provided that these identified wastes are handled, transported and disposed of using approved methods and that the recommended good site practices are strictly followed, adverse environmental impacts are not anticipated during construction of the Project.

Waste types generated by the operation activities are likely to include general refuse from the workforce and chemical waste from the maintenance activities. Provided that these wastes are handled, transported and disposed of using approved methods and that the recommended good site practices are strictly followed, adverse environmental impacts is not expected during operation phase.