EPD - Pollution Problems & Practical Solutions | Environmental Protection Department

Refuse Bin Handling

Pollution Type

Noise

Problem

Relevant Env. Control

Under the Noise Control Ordinance, Cap. 400, the owner, tenant, occupier or person in charge of the place other than domestic premises, a public place or a construction site should not emanate noise over the statutory noise standard or limit.

Practical Solutions

	Avoid moving the waste containers in noise sensitive hours, such as early morning and midnight hours
	Use containers with soft wheels
	Avoid excessive doubling handling

Pollution Type

Water

Problem

Roadside wastewater discharge

Relevant Env. Control

Under the Water Pollution Control Ordinance, Cap. 358, the discharger should apply for a license from the EPD for effluent from commercial and industrial activities. A discharge should be made in accordance with the license terms and conditions, such as maximum allowable quantity, effluent standards, self-monitoring requirements and keeping records.

Practical Solutions

Carry out all refuse bin washing activities within the refuse station only

Discharge all wastewater generated from various refuse collection operations, such as loading and unloading of refuse to the refuse collection vehicle, refuse bin washing activities and refuse station cleaning into the foul sewer only

Keep all waste containers free of cracks and leakages

Keep drain valves in waste containers fully closed when storing or transporting waste

Good examples gathered from the trade :

Example 1

Installation of foul sewers around the area for refuse bin washing.

Example 2 (Details)

Example 3

Wash the refuse bin in an isolated container fitted with foul water channels and filtration device.

Use of automatic refuse bin washing machine to ensure wastewater generated from refuse bin washing activities is properly collected and discharged to foul sewers.