| Press
Release
Vessel
master convicted for exporting e-waste
A vessel master was convicted
today (August 23) for exporting hazardous electronic waste (e-waste)
without a permit. He was sentenced to two months' imprisonment at
the Eastern Magistracy.
"It is the first imprisonment
case under the Waste Disposal Ordinance (WDO)," a spokesman for
the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) said.
The EPD and the Marine
Enforcement Group of the Customs and Excise Department yesterday
(August 22) morning intercepted a mainland vessel at Shau Kei Wan
Typhoon Shelter during a joint operation against illegal export
of hazardous e-wastes.
"Some 1 000 waste computer
monitors and TV sets were found on board," the spokesman said.
Close surveillance by
the two departments found that the vessel had collected e-wastes
in To Kwa Wan for more than a week.
The spokesman said: "Hazardous
e-wastes such as waste computer monitors and TV sets with cathode
ray tube display are listed under the Seventh Schedule of the WDO.
"Import and export of
such wastes are subject to permit control," he added.
Under the WDO, any person
who imports or exports hazardous e-wastes without a permit issued
by the EPD will be liable to a maximum fine of $200,000 and six
months' imprisonment.
The spokesman said movements
of hazardous e-wastes were under tight scrutiny in Hong Kong.
He reiterated that the
EPD was determined to curb illegal export of such wastes from Hong
Kong.
"The EPD inspects shipments
of e-wastes and used electronic and electrical goods at various
control points and illegal e-waste export black spots on a regular
basis to guard against hazardous shipments in the disguise of second-hand
goods or non-hazardous e-wastes.
"It would join forces,
whenever necessary, with both local and overseas control authorities
to intercept and stop such activities," he noted.
Since the introduction
of the WDO control on import and export of wastes in 1996, there
have been 41 prosecutions against illegal movements of hazardous
e-wastes, resulting in 37 convictions.
In the past 12 months,
there were three similar waste import and export convictions.
End/Saturday, August
23, 2003
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