China – ‘We will bring in new legislation this year to deal with electrical and electronic waste,’ China’s Undersecretary for the Environment Dr Christine Loh has stated in a letter to the South China Morning Post.
According to Dr Loh, who has been labelled by many in industry as an ‘environmental heavyweight’, legislation will also be introduced to ensure that the plastic bag levy scheme extends to all retail outlets. ‘We will also shortly consult the public on implementing a glass recycling system,’ she wrote.
‘Hong Kong’s recycling rate in 2011 was 48%. By 2015, we aim to increase it to 55%. This requires us to work with the community to improve separation of waste at source.’ Specifics on the government initiatives are expected to be revealed shortly.
Stating that the country needs to recover energy and resources from ‘unavoidable waste’ and to reduce bulk volumes before they go to landfill, Dr Loh said that ‘a state-of-the-art sludge incinerator’ is being built in Tuen Mun – to be completed towards the end of the year.
Meanwhile, waste charging for municipalities will become a reality by 2016. ‘The issue of illegal dumping and fly-tipping will be considered as part of designing the waste charging system,’ she noted.
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