7.1.1
This section identifies the types of wastes that are
likely to be generated during construction and operational phases of the
Project, and evaluates the potential environmental impacts that may result from
these wastes.
7.1.2
The primary waste arising will be generated during the
construction phase would mainly be construction and demolition (C&D)
materials from the works. During
operational phase, general refuse is expected to be generated by the visitors
and staffs, ash and other non-combustible residue generated from the burning of
joss paper. Mitigation measures and good
site practices, including waste handling, storage and disposal, are recommended
with reference to the applicable waste legislation and guidelines.
7.1.3
This assessment is based on the criteria and
guidelines stated in Annexes 7 and 15 of the Technical Memorandum on Environmental Impact Assessment Process (EIAO-TM)
for evaluation and assessment of waste management implications, and have
covered the scope outlined in Section 3.4.7 of the EIA Study Brief.
7.2.1
The criteria and guidelines for assessing waste
management implications are outlined in Annex 7 and 15, respectively, of the
EIAO-TM.
7.2.2
The following legislation, which has been used in
assessing potential impacts, relates to the handling, treatment and disposal of
wastes in the Hong Kong SAR:
•
Waste Disposal Ordinance (Cap.354);
•
Waste Disposal (Chemical Waste)(General) Regulation (Cap.354C);
•
Waste Disposal (Charges for Disposal of Construction Waste) Regulation
(Cap.354N);
•
Land (Miscellaneous Provisions) Ordinance (Cap.28); and
•
Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance (Cap.132BK) – Public
Cleansing and Prevention of Nuisances Regulation.
Waste Management
7.2.3
The Waste
Disposal Ordinance (WDO) prohibits the unauthorized disposal of
wastes. Construction waste is defined as
any substances, 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 licensed by the Environmental
Protection Department (EPD).
7.2.4
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. EPD has also issued a guideline document, the
Code of Practice on Packaging, Labelling
and Storage Wastes (1992), which details how the contractor should comply
with the regulations on chemical wastes.
7.2.5
The Public
Cleansing and Prevention of Nuisances Regulation provides control on
littering in any street, on public place, any water courses, stream, channel,
ditch or reservoir.
Construction and
Demolition (C&D) Materials
7.2.6
The current policy related to the disposal of C&D
materials is documented in the Works
Branch Technical Circular (WBTC) 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 (PFAs), 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 licences are issued by Civil
Engineering and Development Depart (CEDD) under delegated powers from the
Director of Lands.
7.2.7
In addition to the WBTC, EPD and CEDD have produced a
leaflet titled ‘New Disposal Arrangements
for Construction Waste’ (1992) and together with the approved Construction Waste Disposal Charging Scheme
(2005) by the Legislative Council that C&D materials with less than 50%
by weight of inert materials will be accepted at landfill. If the C&D
materials contain more than 50% inert materials, the waste must be sorted with
inert materials sent to a public filling area and the non-inert materials (that
is, C&D wastes) sent to landfill for final disposal.
7.2.8
According to the Paragraph
4.1.3 of Chapter 4 of the Project Administration Handbook for Civil Engineering
Works, for Designated Projects, a Construction and Demolition Material
Management Plan (C&DMMP) has to be submitted to the Public Fill Committee
(PFC) for approval in case of C&D materials disposal exceeding 50,000m3.
7.2.9
ETWB TCW No.
19/2005 Environmental Management on Construction Site introduces
additional measures to enhance waste management on construction sites. The
circular sets out the policy, procedures and requirements for contractor to
prepare and implement an Environmental Management Plan (EMP) for on-site
sorting and minimizing generation of C&D materials during the course of
construction.
Chemical Waste
7.2.10
Under the regulation of WDO, the Waste Disposal (Chemical Waste)(General) Regulation provides
regulations of chemical waste control, and administers the possession, storage,
collection, transport and disposal of chemical wastes. 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.
7.3.1
The assessment of waste management impacts arising
from this Project during construction phase
and operation phase
has been undertaken in accordance
with the EIA
Study Brief and
criteria given in Annexes 7 and 15 of the EIAO-TM.
•
Estimation of types and quantities of waste generated;
•
Examination of opportunities for waste reduction and re-use (both
on-site and off-site) and the required disposal options for each type of waste;
•
Evaluation of potential environmental impacts from the management of
solid waste with respect to potential hazards, air and odour emissions, noise,
wastewater discharges and public transport; and
•
Identification of impacts on the capacity of waste collection, transfer
and disposal facilities.
Construction Phase
7.4.1
The construction activities to be carried out under
the Project would be generate a variety of wastes that can be divided into
distinct categories based on their composition and ultimate method of disposal.
The identified wastes types are:
•
Construction and demolition (C&D) materials;
•
General refuse; and
•
Chemical waste.
Operational Phase
7.4.2
During the operation phase of the Project, major types
of waste to be generated are as follows:
•
Ash and non-combustible residue generated from joss paper burner; and
•
General refuse generated by visitors and staff.
Construction Phase
C&D Materials
7.5.1
C&D materials would be generated from site
clearance, slope excavation works, construction of site access and retaining
walls for the Project construction. These C&D materials comprise both inert and non-inert
components, such as vegetation, soil, artificial hard materials (i.e. broken
concrete, etc.), rocks, wood and metals. In view of the nature and small scale
of the Project, the amount of C&D materials to be generated would be
limited. It is estimated the total quantity of C&D materials
generated from the works to be approximately 500 m3, of which
approximately 450 m3 would be inert materials (i.e. public fill) and
approximately 50 m3 would be non-inert materials (C&D waste). There is no sediment present requiring marine disposal.
Details of the estimated quantity of C&D materials generated from
different construction stages of the Project are provided in Appendix
7.1.
7.5.2
The C&D materials would be sorted
on-site. The inert C&D materials would be re-used on-site as far as
possible. It is estimated that
approximately 100 m3 of inert C&D materials would be reused
on-site as backfill materials. The estimated quantity of inert C&D
materials to be disposed of would be approximately 350 m3. Final
destinations of the inert C&D materials will be determined to the
availability of public filling reception facilities (PFRF) and are subject to
the agreement with CEDD. A summary of
the C&D materials generated from the construction of the Project is shown
in Table 7.1.
Table 7.1 Estimated C&D
Materials Generated from the Construction of the Project
|
Type of Construction
|
Total
C&D Materials (m3)
|
Inert
C&D Materials (m3)
|
Non-inert C&D Materials (m3)
|
Inert
C&D Materials to be reused
as Backfilling Materials (m3)
|
Inert
C&D Materials to be Disposed of at PFRF(m3)
|
|
New niches and Site Access
|
500
|
450
|
50
|
100
|
350
|
7.5.3
Non-inert C&D materials generated would be reused
and recycled as much as possible before disposing to landfills. It is the
Contractor’s responsibility to separate the inert and non-inert C&D
materials on site. Based on the current design information, it is planned to
use barges to transport the C&D waste from the barging point of the
Outlying Islands Transfer Facilities - Mui Wo Station to the designated
disposal facilities once per day.
7.5.4
With the implementation of proper management for
C&D materials and good site practices (Section 7.6), no unacceptable
environmental impacts due to handling and disposal of C&D materials arising
from the Project are anticipated.
General Refuse
7.5.5
Considering the nature and small scale of the Project,
a limited number of workers would involve on-site during construction phase.
Thus, the amount of general refuse such as waste papers, plastic packaging and
possibly food wastes generated from the construction workforce would be
minimal. It is expected there would not
be more than 50 workers per day on site during the construction period. Based on
the generation rate of 0.65 kg per worker per day, it is estimated no more than
32.5 kg general refuse per day would be generated from the construction of the
Project.
7.5.6
The general refuse will be collected on-site on a
regular basis, separately from C&D materials by an appropriate waste
collector to be employed by the contractor. Prior to disposal off-site, such
refuse will be temporarily put in suitably covered storage areas / bins where
they will have to be regularly cleaned and maintained to avoid attracting
vermin and pests. With proper on-site
handling and storage as well as regular disposal of the wastes, no unacceptable
environmental impact is anticipated.
Chemical Waste
7.5.7
The maintenance and servicing of construction plant
and vehicles may generate a negligibly small amount of chemical wastes such as
waste oil/grease, spent solvent / detergents, empty fuel / lubricant drums,
used oil filter and scrap batteries. In view of the nature and small scale of
the Project, the construction works would involve only a very small number of
construction plants and hence the amount of chemical waste to be generated is
expected to be minimal. With the
implementation of proper handling, storage and disposal of chemicals as
described in Section 7.6.10, no unacceptable environmental impacts are
anticipated.
Operation Phase
Ash and Non-combustible Residues
7.5.9
Such small amount waste generated from visitors using
the joss paper burner will be collected and disposed of by contractual service
provider engaged by FEHD on a regular basis.
Given the small amount of waste requiring disposal of and with the
appropriate waste management practice implemented, no adverse environmental
impacts are anticipated.
General
Refuse
7.5.10
Quantity of general refuse generated by visitors and
staff during daily operation of the new niches would not be substantial. It is
estimated that the quantity of general refuse would be approximately 10 m³ per
month for normal days and 92 m³ per month for festive periods. With proper
waste management facilities in place, the potential environmental impacts
arising from the handling and disposal of the general refuse would be
negligible and would not cause any major environmental concerns.
Construction Phase
Good Site Practices
7.6.1
Appropriate waste handling, transportation and
disposal methods for all waste arising generated during the construction works
for the Project should be implemented to ensure that construction wastes do not
enter the nearby streams or drainage channel.
7.6.2
Adverse impacts from waste management are not
anticipated, provided that good site practices are strictly followed.
Recommendations for good site practices during the construction activities
include:
•
The contractor shall prepare a Waste Management Plan (WMP) in accordance
with the requirements set out in the ETWB TC(W) 19/2005, Waste Management on
Construction Site, for the Engineer’s Representative approval.
•
Nomination of approved personnel, such as a site manager, to be
responsible for good site practices, and making arrangements for collection of
all wastes generated at the site and effective disposal to an appropriate
facility.
•
Training of site personnel in proper waste management and chemical waste
handling procedures.
•
Provision of sufficient waste reception/ disposal points, of a suitable
vermin-proof design that minimizes windblown litter.
•
Arrangement for regular collection of waste for transport off-site and
final disposal.
•
Appropriate measures to minimize 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 recording system for the amount of wastes generated, recycled and
disposed (including the disposal sites) should be proposed.
Waste Reduction Measures
7.6.3
Good management and control of construction site
activities/ processes can minimise the generation 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:
•
Prior to disposal
of C&D waste,
wood, steel and
other materials should
be separated for reuse, recycling to minimize the quality of waste to be
disposed of at landfill.
•
Minimize use of wood and reuse non-timber formwork to reduce C&D
waste
•
As far as practicable, segregate and store different types of waste in
different containers, skips or stockpiles to enhance reuse or recycling of
materials and their proper disposal.
•
Encourage collection of aluminum cans, plastic bottles and packaging
material and office paper.
C&D Materials
7.6.4
With good site management, it can reduce over-ordering
of C&D materials such as concrete and mortars. Alternatives such as still frameworks and
plastic fencing can be considered to increase the chances for reuse.
7.6.5
In order to minimize the potential impacts resulting
from collection and transportation of C&D materials for off-site disposal,
the excavated materials comprising fill materials should be reused on-site as
backfilling materials or for landscaping as far as practicable to avoid disposal
off-site.
7.6.6
C&D waste, such as wood, plastic, steels and other
metals should be reused or recycled and, as a last resort, disposal of to the
Outlying Islands Transfer Facilities - Mui Wo Station. A suitable area should be designated within
the site for temporary stockpiling of C&D materials and to facilitate the
sorting process. In order to monitor the
disposal of C&D materials at the designated public fill reception facility
and landfill and to control fly-tipping, a trip ticket system should be included,
with reference to Development Bureau TC(W) 6/2010 for details.
7.6.7
The inert C&D materials to be disposed of at
public fill reception facilities shall be materials only consists of brick,
concrete, cement plaster, soil and inert building debris. The materials shall be free from plastics,
chemical waste, industrial metals and other materials that are considered
unsuitable at the facility.
General Refuse
7.6.8
General refuse should be stored in enclosed bins or
compaction units separate from C&D materials. A reputable waste collector should be
employed by the Contractor to remove general refuse from the site regularly,
separately from C&D materials. An
enclosed and covered area is preferred to reduce the occurrence of “wind-blown”
light materials. In addition, a sufficient
number of enclosed bins shall be provided on site for containment of general
refuse to prevent visual impacts and nuisance to the sensitive surrounding.
7.6.9
The Contractor should carry out an education programme
for workers in avoiding, reducing, reusing and recycling of materials
generation. Posters and leaflets
advising on the use of the bins should also be provided in the site as
reminders.
Chemical Waste
7.6.10
For disposal of chemical wastes produced at the
construction site, the Contractor is required for register with the EPD as a
Chemical Waste Producer and to follow the requirements 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. Appropriate labels should be securely attached
on each chemical waste container indicating the chemical characteristics of the
chemical waste, such as explosives, flammable, oxidizing, irritant, toxic,
harmful, corrosive, etc. The Contractor
shall also use a licensed waste collector engaged to transport and dispose of
the chemical wastes to the Chemical Waste Treatment Centre at Tsing Yi (CWTC)
or other licensed facility, in
accordance with the Waste Disposal
(Chemical Waste) (General) Regulation.
Operation Phase
Ash and non-combustible Residues
7.6.11
The ash and non-combustible residues generated from
the joss paper burning should be collected and stored in a properly covered
refuse containers to avoid dust emission, and final disposed of at landfill
site. With these good site practices in
place, no adverse environmental impacts are anticipated.
General Refuse
7.6.12
To promote recycling of waste paper, aluminum cans and
plastic bottles by the visitors, it is recommended to place clearly labeled
recycling bins (such as those available from EPD) at convenient locations
within the area of new niches or Lai Chi Yuen Cemetery. The recyclable waste materials should then be
collected by reliable waste recycling agents on a regular basis.
7.6.13
The general refuse (other than those segregated
recyclable wastes) should be separated from any chemical wastes and stored in
covered refuse containers. FEHD should
remove general refuse from the site on daily basis to minimize odour, pest and
litter impacts. Burning of refuse must
be strictly prohibited.
7.6.14
Table 7.2 provides a
summary of the various types of waste to be generated during the construction
and operational phases of the Project and the corresponding handling and
disposal methods.
Table 7.2 Summary of Waste Handling Procedures
and Disposal Routes
|
Waste Type
|
Estimated Quantity
|
Handling
|
Disposal
|
|
Construction Phase
|
|
Non-inert C&D Materials
|
50 m3
|
Where possible should be reused on-site.
|
Strategic landfill.
|
|
Inert C&D
Materials
|
450 m3
|
Public Filling Reception Facilities.
|
|
Chemical Waste
|
Negligibly small amount
|
Recycle on-site or by licensed companies.
Store on-site within suitably designed containers.
|
CWTC
|
|
General Refuse
|
32.5 kg per day
|
Provide on-site refuse collection facilities.
|
Employ a reputable waste collector for collection and final disposal
of general refuse to landfill site.
|
|
Operation Phase
|
|
Ash and Non-Combustible Residue
|
1 m3
per month for normal days and 6 m3 per month for festive periods
|
Provide on-site refuse collection facilities.
|
Employ a reputable waste collector for collection and final disposal
of ash, non-combustible residue and general refuse to landfill site.
|
|
General Refuse
|
10 m3
per month for normal days and 92 m3 per month for festive periods
|
7.7.1
With proper handling, storage, collection,
transportation and disposal of the identified waste arising, adverse residual
impact is not expected to occur during the construction and operation of the
Project.
7.8.1
It will be the Contractor’s responsibility to ensure
that any wastes produced during the construction of the Project are handled,
stored and disposed in accordance with good waste management practices and
relevant regulations and other legislative requirements. The recommended
mitigation measures should form the basis of the site Waste Management Plan to
be developed by the Contractor in the construction stage.
7.8.2
No EM&A requirement is considered necessary during
operation phase.
7.9.1
Waste management implications associated with the
construction and operation of the Project were identified and assessed. In view
of the nature and small scale of the Project, insignificant amount of waste
would be generated. With implementation of the recommended mitigation measures,
adverse impacts on the environment and the potential impacts on the capacity of
waste collection, transfer and disposal facilities during construction and
operation of the Project would not be anticipated.