Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Following is a question by the Hon Carmen Kan and a written reply by the Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan, in the Legislative Council today (April 30):
Question:
The Government has indicated in the 2024 Policy Address that it will continue to promote waste reduction and recycling, including expanding the community recycling network, and reviewing the tender arrangements and requirements for the GREEN@COMMUNITY project to enhance its cost-effectiveness and improve service quality. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(1) given that, under the 2024 Legislative Programme, the Government plans to amend the Waste Disposal Ordinance (Cap. 354) to require the property management companies and owners’ organisations of major housing estates and single-block residential buildings with relatively large number of flats (the property management sector) to separately collect common types of recyclables and pass them to downstream recyclers for processing, but the relevant legislative proposals have yet to be submitted to this Council, and the Promotion of Recycling and Proper Disposal of Products (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill 2025 (the Bill), which involves amendments to Chapter 354, does not include the aforesaid legislative proposals, of the reasons for that; whether the Government has assessed the impact of its failure to implement the aforesaid legislative proposals on the effectiveness of its efforts to expand the community recycling network as indicated in the 2024 Policy Address; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that;
(2) given that the Waste Reduction and Recycling Charter (the Charter) was launched in June last year for private residential premises to enhance residents’ awareness of recycling, of the following information on the signing of the Charter by management groups of private residential premises each month since its launch (set out in a table): the number of private residential premises involved (and their proportion to the total number of private residential premises in Hong Kong), the number of households involved, and the recycling data for such premises; whether the authorities have studied the reasons why some management groups of private residential premises have not signed the Charter, and when legally-binding waste reduction and recycling regulatory measures will be implemented for the property management sector based on the implementation experience of the Charter;
(3) given that the plastic shopping bag (PSB) charge under the existing Plastic Shopping Bag Charging Scheme (the Charging Scheme) is retained and handled by business operators on their own, whether the authorities have required business operators to submit information on the number of PSBs distributed and the amounts of income involved for each of the past five years (i.e. 2020-2021 to 2024-2025); if so, of the relevant annual data, with a tabulated breakdown by business sectors; if not, the reasons for that;
(4) given that the fixed penalty under the current Charging Scheme can be paid via electronic platforms (e.g. the Faster Payment System), and taking into account the current fiscal position of the Government, whether the authorities will consider adjusting the policy and drawing on the practice of penalty payment to allow members of the public to pay the PSB charge to the Government directly via electronic payment methods; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; and
(5) given that, based on the information provided by the Government in response to my question regarding the Estimates of Expenditure for the 2025-2026 fiscal year, the operating expenditure of the GREEN@COMMUNITY project has increased annually, with the budget for 2025-2026 being $507 million, an increase of 61.98 per cent over the actual expenditure of $313 million in 2023-2024, there are views that the operational model of the project is unsustainable, and the Government has indicated in the 2024 Policy Address that it will review the tender arrangements and requirements for the project to enhance its cost-effectiveness, of the details and specific timetable of the relevant work?
Reply:
President,
The Government continues to vigorously promote waste reduction and recycling, enhance the community recycling network and strengthen public education to promote a green culture of waste reduction and recycling in our society. The recycling network, comprising the Programme on Source Separation of Waste and GREEN@COMMUNITY, has reached a coverage over 90 per cent of the population in Hong Kong. The various waste reduction and recycling initiatives implemented have achieved encouraging results to date. The current-term Government has reversed the rising trend of waste disposal amount. The daily average quantity of municipal solid waste (MSW) disposed of at landfills has consistently declined for three consecutive years since 2021. The daily quantity of MSW disposed of at landfills decreased from 11 358 tonnes in 2021 to 10 510 tonnes in 2024, amounting to a total reduction of 7.5 per cent.
The reply to the question raised by the Hon Carmen Kan is as follows:
(1) and (2) Having consulted the property management trade and owners’ organisations, we consider that prior to implementing legislation to regulate separation and recycling of domestic waste, it would be appropriate to further promote participation of residential premises and increase the quantity and variety of domestic waste recycling facilities by way of enhancing publicity and public education first. In this connection, the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) launched the Waste Reduction and Recycling Charter (the Charter) in June 2024 to encourage private residential premises (PRPs) to set up more waste separation and recycling facilities which are easily accessible within the premises. In addition to the collection of common types of recyclables including paper, metals and plastics, the signees of the Charter are required to collect glass containers, beverage cartons and food waste, and ensure that the collected recyclables are handed over to downstream recyclers. The signees are also obligated to maintain delivery records of various types of recyclables and regularly publish recycling data for residents’ information with a view to enhancing the performance management of recyclables and instilling residents’ confidence in the practice of waste separation and recycling. The Charter has received very positive feedbacks from the housing estates. In about nine months, as at the first quarter of 2025, 858 PRPs have already signed the Charter, covering about 740 000 households, representing about 40 per cent of the total number of households in PRPs with property management companies/owners’ corporations/residents’ organisations across the territory. About 2 000 waste separation and recycling facilities have been set up additionally. According to the preliminary data, the average recovery rate per household participating in the Charter is showing an increasing trend.
The number of signees of the Charter by quarter is tabulated below:
Quarter for signing the Charter
Number of PRPs signing the Charter
Number of households in PRPs signing the Charter
Percentage of households in PRPs with property management companies/owners’ corporations/residents’ organisations
Q3 2024
215
168 597
9.5 per cent
Q4 2024
480
409 019
23.0 per cent
Q1 2025
163
163 020
9.2 per cent
Total
858
740 636
41.7 per cent
The EPD will continue to encourage more PRPs to join the Charter through various channels such as publicity at district level and engagement with property management sector, in order to provide enhanced recycling facilities for more members of the public. Some PRPs have reflected that they have not joined the Charter due to inadequate space. The EPD will continue to maintain communication with these premises and explore whether we could offer any assistance.
(3) and (4) During the initial phase of the Plastic Shopping Bag (PSB) Charging Scheme from 2009 to 2015, retailers subject to the regulation were required to submit returns and remit their levy income to the Government on a quarterly basis. When the Scheme was extended to cover the entire retail sector in 2015, the Government decided to adopt a “retention” approach after public consultation, under which retailers are allowed to retain and handle the PSB charges on their own without the need of remitting to the Government or submitting returns, so as to reduce the administrative burden and compliance costs on small and medium enterprises. Following the implementation of the Enhanced Scheme on December 31, 2022, the number of PSBs disposed of in 2023 decreased significantly by around 31.5 per cent compared to that in 2022, among which the flat-top bags disposed of dropped by more than 60 per cent alone. In view of the effectiveness of the Enhanced Scheme, the EPD so far has no plan to adjust the existing mode of operation. As retailers are not required to remit the PSB charges to the Government, the EPD does not have the figures of PSBs distributed by retailers or the PSB charges involved in the past five years.
(5) As mentioned above, the EPD is continuously expanding the community recycling network GREEN@COMMUNITY to strengthen the recycling facilities at district level. The number of GREEN@COMMUNITY public collection points has notably increased from around 250 in 2023 to over 800 at present. These include 12 Recycling Stations focusing on both environmental education and recycling support, 82 Recycling Stores located in close proximity to clusters of single-block buildings or set up in public rental housing (PRH) estates, around 600 Recycling Spots, and over 100 sets of smart recycling bins. As the 50 Recycling Stores set up in PRH estates mainly commenced operation progressively in the first half of 2024, their expenditures were not reflected in 2023-24. Together with an increase in some 470 Recycling Spots thereafter, the estimated operating expenditure of 2025-26 increases to some extent compared to that of 2023-24. However, the quantity of recyclables collected by GREEN@COMMUNITY has been continuously increasing remarkably at the same time from around 26 900 tonnes in 2023 to around 41 800 tonnes in 2024, with a year-on-year increase of nearly 60 per cent. The quantity of recyclables collected in the first quarter of 2025 was around 11 270 tonnes, representing a further increase compared to the same period last year.
To enhance the overall cost-effectiveness and sustainability of the operation of GREEN@COMMUNITY, the EPD is reviewing the tender arrangements and requirements for GREEN@COMMUNITY facilities. For example, in the tendering for the follow-on contracts of 12 Recycling Stores conducted early this year, different types of operators (including private enterprises) have been included, with a view to reducing cost through enhanced competition. The EPD will also relocate some of the Recycling Stores to suitable government facilities and make greater use of smart recycling devices to gradually transform the operation of Recycling Stores into self-service recycling facilities, so as to reduce the rental expenses and operating costs. The EPD will review the operation of GREEN@COMMUNITY from time to time and adjust the service arrangements as necessary, with a view to enhancing its cost-effectiveness.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
The National Security Department (NSD) of the Hong Kong Police Force took enforcement actions and arrested a 22-year-old man in Kowloon on April 28 on suspicion of committing “knowingly publishing publications that had a seditious intention” in contravention of Section 24 of the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance.
The investigation revealed that the arrested man was suspected of repeatedly publishing posts with seditious intentions on online social platforms, with content provoking hatred, contempt or disaffection against the fundamental system of the state established by the Constitution of the People’s Republic of China, inciting any person to attempt to procure the alteration, otherwise than by lawful means, of any matter established in accordance with the law by the Central Authorities in relation to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR); or any matter established in accordance with the law in the HKSAR, and inciting any other person to do an act that does not comply with the law of the HKSAR or that does not obey an order issued under the law of the HKSAR.
NSD has officially laid charge against the man with one count of “knowingly publishing publications that had a seditious intention”. The case will be mentioned at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts this afternoon (April 30).
Police remind members of the public that “knowingly publishing publications that had a seditious intention” is a serious crime. Offenders shall be liable to imprisonment for seven years on first conviction. Members of the public are urged not to defy the law.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
LCQ14: Enticing international online celebrity to visit Hong Kong Question:
It has been reported that earlier on, an internationally renowned online celebrity live-streamed his activities on YouTube, a video-sharing website, during his visit to Hong Kong, attracting a large number of local and overseas fans to follow him physically, and the number of viewers of the relevant live streams has exceeded 10 million, thus bringing to Hong Kong international exposure that can hardly be ignored. There are views that online celebrities’ “decentralised and spontaneous high-profile events” of this kind enable viewers around the world to see the daily street situations in Hong Kong in real time, which is in line with the concept of “Tourism is everywhere in Hong Kong”. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(1) as it has been reported that massive crowds of people were drawn by the aforesaid online celebrity when he was doing the live streams, whether the authorities will formulate plans to assist in maintaining public order during similar events in the future; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that;
(2) as there are views that the experience of the aforesaid online celebrity’s visit to Hong Kong attests to the high interactivity and cost-effectiveness of high-traffic online celebrities, whether the authorities will study stepping up efforts to entice them to visit Hong Kong and integrating such events into tourism promotional campaigns; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; and
(3) as it has been reported that the aforesaid online celebrity had earlier on experienced a high-tech tour in Shenzhen, including riding in an amphibious vehicle, watching a robot dance and experiencing a food delivery service by drone, and such activities have demonstrated our country’s high level of technology to the international community, whether the authorities will draw up a list of high-tech projects for visits in Hong Kong to facilitate visits by international high-traffic online celebrities and overseas travellers; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?
Reply:
President,
In respect of the question raised by the Dr Hon Dennis Lam, having consulted the Security Bureau and the Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau (ITIB), the reply is as follows:
(1) The Police have always attached great importance to and endeavoured to maintain public safety and order. Regarding the live webcasting activities conducted by a Key Opinion Leader (KOL) in public places earlier, the Police had been keeping a close watch on the activities and making continuous assessment of the situation. The Police had also taken the initiative to liaise with the team of the KOL, so as to make timely manpower deployment when necessary, with a view to maintaining public safety and order. In case of similar activities in the future, the Police will, as in the past, closely monitor the situation and make timely assessment, and flexibly deploy police manpower to deal with any possible emergencies.
(2) “Seeing is Believing” forms the cornerstone of our strategic approach to showcase Hong Kong’s authentic appeal and diverse tourism offerings. The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) consistently invites KOLs, influencers, media, and industry partners from around the world to experience the city’s diverse charm firsthand, so as to promote Hong Kong tourism.
The HKTB has tailor-made a variety of thematic itineraries for these guests, covering Chinese and Western arts, pop culture, water and harbour experiences, traditional festivities, gastronomy and outdoor exploration. This aims to create positive word-of-mouth through their personal experiences by leveraging their vast influence, with a view to attracting more visitors to come to Hong Kong.
In 2024, the HKTB proactively invited more than 2 600 KOLs, influencers, media and trade partners from different source markets (including the Mainland, Southeast Asia, Taiwan, Japan, South Korea and long-haul markets) to visit Hong Kong. Counting only KOLs, the HKTB proactively invited over 620 KOLs from local, the Mainland, and overseas markets in 2024 to experience Hong Kong and tell the world the good stories of Hong Kong through their first-hand travel experiences. Collectively, these KOLs have a fan base of approximately 380 million.
The top 10 KOLs invited by the HKTB in 2024 are as follows:
KOLThis year, the HKTB continues to take proactive measures. In the first quarter, the HKTB invited over 650 KOLs, influencers, media, and industry partners to come to Hong Kong to create positive exposure. Particularly during the “Hong Kong Super March”, the HKTB collaborated with nearly 100 KOLs and celebrities from various countries and regions (including the Mainland, Taiwan, the UK, Australia, South Korea, Thailand, Indonesia), who shared their first-hand experiences on social media, reaching over 50 million followers. Notable participants included South Korean actor Wi Ha-joon, who starred in Netflix’s hit series Squid Game 2, world number one snooker player Judd Trump, Mainland Chinese singer Zhang Yuan, rising Thai stars Boss and Noeul, former British rugby player Ryan Wilson and Indonesian artist Eva Alicia.
Looking ahead, the HKTB will adhere to the strategy of “Seeing is Believing” and invite more globally renowned KOLs, media, and industry representatives to visit Hong Kong, spreading its unique charm worldwide and attracting more visitors to make advance plans to travel to Hong Kong.
The HKTB stands ready to provide appropriate support to KOLs who are interested in visiting and promoting Hong Kong tourism, subject to evaluation of various factors including the size of their fanbase, their social media posts engagement rates, their professional status and image, whether they tie in with the target source markets and marketing strategies, with the aim of leveraging their first-hand experiences to showcase Hong Kong’s unique charm.
(3) According to the ITIB, the Government is dedicated to promoting Hong Kong’s innovation and technology (I&T) development by leveraging Hong Kong’s advantages as an international city to foster global I&T collaboration. The two I&T flagships (Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation and Cyberport) support tech enterprises to expand their network of collaborative partners in the Mainland and overseas markets as well as liaise with their I&T park enterprises and the I&T sector, actively participate in international or regional conferences and exhibitions, with a view to promoting commercialisation of research and development outcomes as well as the products to both the Mainland and overseas markets.
Regarding the HKTB’s initiative of inviting KOLs, influencers, media, and industry partners to come to Hong Kong and tailor-making a variety of thematic itineraries, the HKTB stands ready to incorporate different elements (including those related to technology) into the itineraries to showcase Hong Kong’s characteristics, thereby promoting Hong Kong’s appeal and attracting more visitors to come to Hong Kong. Issued at HKT 11:55
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
LCQ11: Sale of electricity generated by waste-to-energy facilities Question:
It is learnt that the Government is currently selling the surplus electricity generated by waste-to-energy facilities to the power companies at the prevailing fuel costs of the power companies. It has been reported that the relevant sale prices of electricity are too low, but the power companies are selling electricity to consumers at normal prices. There are views that the Government should make public the criteria for determining the sale prices of electricity, so as to ensure that the electricity generated by waste-to-energy facilities can be sold to the power companies at reasonable prices. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(1) since the commissioning of T·PARK, O·PARK1 and O·PARK2, of (i) the amount of electricity generated by such facilities, (ii) the prices at which the surplus electricity generated by them was sold to the power companies, (iii) the criteria for the sale of electricity (including why the surplus electricity from such facilities was sold to the power companies at fuel costs), and (iv) the respective prevailing average tariffs charged by the power companies; the revenue received by the Government from the sale of such electricity;
(2) given that the Integrated Waste Management Facilities Phase 1 (i.e. I·PARK1) is expected to come into operation within this year, whether the authorities have drawn up plans for the sale of electricity in respect of the facilities;
(3) as it is learnt that the Government sells the surplus electricity generated by waste-to-energy facilities to the power companies at the prevailing fuel costs of the power companies, whether the tariff revenue concerned has been deducted from the permitted rate of return stipulated in the Scheme of Control Agreements (SCAs); if so, of the details; if not, whether the relevant provision will be added when formulating SCAs in the future; and
(4) whether it will require the power companies to offer corresponding tariff discounts to the grass roots, or residents living in the vicinity of waste-to-energy facilities; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?
Reply:
President,
To achieve the goals of “Zero Landfill” and carbon neutrality set out in the Waste Blueprint for Hong Kong 2035 and Hong Kong’s Climate Action Plan 2050, the Government is pressing ahead with the development of a network of advanced and highly efficient modern waste-to-energy (WtE) facilities, including modern WtE incineration facilities and food waste treatment facilities, with a view to moving away from the reliance on landfills for direct disposal of municipal solid waste and transforming waste into energy for the daily operation of such facilities, while the surplus electricity generated can be exported to the power grid of the power companies. According to the existing arrangement, the Government would sell the surplus electricity to the power companies at the prevailing fuel costs of the power companies. The relevant revenue generated would be paid into the general revenue of the Government. My reply to the question raised by the Hon Chan Hak-kan is as follows:
(1) and (3) T·PARK, Organic Resources Recovery Centre Phase 1 (O·PARK1) and Phase 2 (O·PARK2) are all WtE facilities. T·PARK is a sludge incineration facility dedicated to treating sludge generated from sewage treatment works. The heat energy generated from the sludge incineration process is recovered to generate electricity. On the other hand, O·PARK1 and O·PARK2 adopt anaerobic digestion technology to convert food waste into biogas for electricity generation. From their commencement of operation till December 2024, the cumulative amount of electricity generated and surplus electricity exported to the power grid by T·PARK and O·PARK1 are tabulated below:
Facility(million kWh)(million kWh)O·PARK2 began receiving food waste for operational testing in March 2024, during which the contractor was required to test and fine-tune each combined heat and power generation unit in phases. The electricity generated and utilised during normal operation was not reflected, and there was no surplus electricity exported to the power grid. Hence, there are no detailed records for O·PARK2 from March to December 2024.
The sale of surplus electricity generated by WtE facilities to the power companies by the Government does not cause an increase in overall electricity demand. Its actual effect is saving the fuel that power companies would otherwise need to generate an equivalent amount of electricity. If the sale price is set at a level higher than the fuel cost thus saved, it will lead to an increase of the fuel cost. On the contrary, if the sale price is set at a level lower than the fuel cost thus saved, it will be equivalent to subsidising the fuel cost by the Government. The Government has therefore used the prevailing marginal fuel cost of electricity generation saved by the power companies for purchasing such surplus electricity as a basis for setting the price of the surplus electricity, to avoid affecting the tariff. According to the Scheme of Control Agreements (SCAs) signed between the Government and the power companies, the amounts paid by the power companies for purchasing the surplus electricity generated by the Government’s renewable energy systems are counted as part of their fuel costs, which are accountable expenses. The power companies are not permitted to earn a return from such electricity purchases.
Over the years, the surplus electricity generated by T·PARK and O·PARK1 has been sold to CLP Power Hong Kong Limited at actual prices ranging from approximately $0.2 to $0.8 per kWh, while the average net tariffs have been charged at rates ranging from approximately $1.1 to $1.5 per kWh. The sale has yielded a total revenue of around $52 million to the Government.
(2) The Integrated Waste Management Facilities Phase 1 (I·PARK1) is expected to commence operation this year. The aforementioned existing arrangement will apply to I·PARK1. Upon full operation of I·PARK1, apart from generating electricity for its daily operation, it is estimated that approximately 480 million kWh of surplus electricity can be exported to the power grid each year.
(4) Under the framework of the SCAs, the power companies have provided the energy saving rebate scheme and concessionary tariff schemes to offer discounts in the electricity bills to low consumption customers and customers in need, thereby encouraging energy saving and reducing their expenditure on electricity tariff. In addition, through programmes under their respective Community Energy Saving Fund and Smart Power Care Fund, the power companies would assist the disadvantaged in alleviating their expenses on electricity tariff, including the provision of cash subsidies to eligible grassroots families and households of sub-divided units. The Government will continue to encourage the power companies to provide assistance for customers in need having regard to their operating situations. Issued at HKT 11:55
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
A spokesman for the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) said today (April 30) that the department is committed to providing frontline cleansing workers with an appropriate working and resting environment. It continuously reviews their basic needs, including access to drinking water, places for short breaks, water for cleansing tools, and toilet facilities, to ensure that the needs of all frontline cleansing workers are met. Where conditions permit, the FEHD will also strive to further improve the working environment and provide more convenient staff facilities by refurbishing or upgrading refuse collection points (RCPs).
The spokesman said, “The department attaches great importance to the working environment of frontline cleansing workers. There are some 900 village-type RCPs/RCPs with temporary structures under the FEHD’s management, most of which are located in rural areas. Due to geographical constraints, these sites are unable to provide these convenience facilities. Although no personnel were deployed to be stationed at the RCPs, the FEHD strives to ensure that cleansing workers at work nearby have access to drinking water, places for short breaks during hot weather, water for cleansing tools, and toilet facilities in their work zones or within a few minutes’ walk. To further enhance the resting environment for rural workers, the FEHD has installed 133 solar cooling kiosks since 2023. These kiosks are equipped with solar-powered facilities, including air coolers, electric fans, and exhaust fans. Similar solar-powered and staff convenience facilities have also been added to 15 staff resting places in rural areas and 14 village-type RCPs.”
Since 2020, in newly built or refurbished off-street RCPs, the FEHD has, depending on the actual site conditions, endeavoured to provide staff with changing and personal storage spaces, as well as facilities for short beaks and meals. Additionally, amenities such as cold and hot water dispensers, microwave ovens, electric steamers, refrigerators, electric fans, tables and chairs, and power sockets have been installed wherever possible. Air conditioning systems will also be installed in the staff dining rooms where feasible.
Meanwhile, the FEHD has been enhancing the gear provided to frontline staff. At present, all frontline cleansing workers of the FEHD have been provided with working uniforms that have sweat-wicking, breathable and reflective properties, and are equipped with portable waist-mounted fans to help them keep cool in hot weather. To further enhance the occupational safety and health (OSH) of contractors’ cleansing workers, the FEHD has collaborated with the Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel to develop new work raincoats and shoes for cleansing workers. The new work shoes are designed with good breathability, waterproofing, durability, slip resistance, shock-absorption, and antimicrobial functions. They are easy to clean and incorporate appropriate fabric materials and ergonomic design to enhance comfort and reduce the risk of foot injury. The new raincoats are made from high-quality fabrics that are waterproof, breathable, and durable, with thermoregulation function to adapt to varying temperatures. The FEHD will include a new contract clause when awarding new public cleansing service contracts, requiring contractors to provide frontline staff with the new uniform raincoats and work shoes.
The FEHD is currently trying out the use of power-assisted trolley to reduce the physical strain on frontline cleansing workers when transporting refuse. These trolleys are equipped with safety features such as reflective edges, horns, fencing, rotating wheels for braking, and rear lights. The FEHD will examine its feasibility of wider use based on the trial results.
To strengthen OSH protection for frontline cleansing workers, the FEHD has implemented several measures. These include conducting assessments for departmental staff in accordance with the criteria provided in the Labour Department’s Guidance Notes on Prevention of Heat Stroke at Work and requiring contractors to perform similar assessments for their employees. All assessed staff members have received written notification of the results, which have also been put up at roll-call points in various districts so that staff members can be aware of the results. When the Heat Stress at Work Warning is in effect, the FEHD and its contractors must arrange rest breaks for employees based on the adjusted hourly rest time listed on the assessment forms.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
LCQ22: Treatment of waste lead-acid batteries Question:
Under the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal (the Convention), member countries (Parties) are expected to treat and dispose of wastes as close as possible to their place of generation and to prevent and minimise the generation of wastes at source, and waste lead-acid batteries are hazardous waste regulated under the Convention. China is a Party to the Convention, the Convention is therefore applicable to Hong Kong as well. It has been reported that at present, most of the waste lead-acid batteries in Hong Kong were exported to other places (including Korea) after treatment, and those recycled locally only accounted for a small portion. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(1) of the quantity of waste lead-acid batteries generated in Hong Kong in each of the past three years, as well as the respective quantities of waste lead-acid batteries preliminarily processed locally, exported to overseas advanced facilities for recycling (with a breakdown by export areas) and recycled locally;
(2) of the respective maximum annual treatment capacities of the facilities for (i) preliminary treatment and (ii) recycling of waste lead-acid batteries in Hong Kong;
(3) of the details of projects relating to waste lead-acid batteries subsidised by the Recycling Fund in the past three years (including but not limited to the amount of subsidy granted for each project and the content of the subsidy);
(4) of the current progress of the implementation of the Producer Responsibility Scheme on waste lead-acid batteries, as well as the recovery target for local waste lead-acid batteries after the implementation of the Scheme; and
(5) whether the authorities have formulated a contingency plan to cope with the situation where the collection of treated waste lead-acid batteries exported from Hong Kong will be suspended in the event of policy adjustments by Korea or other places; if so, of the specific proposals; if not, the reasons for that?
Reply:
President,
Handling of waste lead-acid batteries is strictly regulated under the Waste Disposal Ordinance, and the Waste Disposal (Chemical Waste) (General) Regulation including registration as chemical waste producers, applications for chemical waste collection and disposal licences, reporting the quantities of waste lead-acid batteries produced, collected and disposed of, and regulating the transboundary movements of waste lead-acid batteries according to the Basel Convention (the Convention).
Any person intending to export waste lead-acid batteries for recycling should apply to the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) for an export permit. Prior to issuing the permit, the EPD will obtain written consent from the relevant authority of the concerned state of import to ensure that the waste lead-acid batteries will be transported to an approved recycling facility in the destination location for recycling in an environmentally sound manner.
The Convention encourages the Parties of the Convention to dispose of controlled waste within the country of origin as far as possible, but it does not prohibit the import or export of such waste under certain conditions, including that the state of import needs the waste as a raw material for recycling or recovery use. Currently, the waste lead-acid batteries exported from the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region comply with the above principles. Under the permit control system, approval from the competent authority of the concerned state of import must be obtained prior to the export of waste lead-acid batteries, which must be recycled in facilities equipped with processing capacity in waste lead-acid batteries.
The EPD will continue to combat illegal collection and disposal of waste lead-acid batteries, and promote proper disposal of waste lead-acid batteries and the relevant legal requirements to the trade.
The reply to the question raised by the Hon Judy Chan is as follows:
(1) and (2) Currently, there are approximately 700 000 fuel-powered or gas-powered vehicles in Hong Kong, amounting to an estimation of around 3 000 tonnes of waste lead-acid batteries generated annually. In addition to other applications including uninterruptible power supply systems (e.g. data centres and emergency lighting), non-road mobile machineries (e.g. forklifts), vessels, and emergency generators in industrial and commercial buildings, an additional 3 500 to 4 000 tonnes of waste lead-acid batteries are generated each year. Thus, it is estimated that a total of 6 500 to 7 000 tonnes of waste lead-acid batteries are generated in Hong Kong annually. In recent years, the number of electric vehicles in Hong Kong has been steadily increasing. There were 110 014 electric vehicles in Hong Kong in 2024, representing about 12.2 per cent of the total number of vehicles. As newly launched electric vehicles no longer use lead-acid batteries, it is expected that the quantity of waste lead-acid batteries generated will gradually decline in the future.
Currently, there are eight licensed disposal facilities for disposal of waste lead-acid batteries, seven of which conduct preliminary treatment such as sorting, insulation, and packaging before exporting the waste lead-acid batteries to overseas facilities for recycling. According to the capacity stipulated in their licences, these seven facilities can collectively process up to approximately 42 000 tonnes of waste lead-acid batteries annually. Another licensed facility located at the EcoPark in Tuen Mun processes waste lead-acid batteries into lead bullion by dismantling waste lead-acid batteries into lead grid and lead paste by means of high temperature smelting. The maximum annual disposal capacity (for lead bullion production) stipulated in its licence is about 8 000 tonnes.
In the past three years, the quantities of waste lead-acid batteries treated locally and exported overseas are listed as follows:
Year (3) Over the past three years (i.e. 2022 to 2024), the Recycling Fund approved a total subsidy of about $1.03 million for seven waste lead-acid batteries recyclers. The approved funding was to subsidise the purchase of equipment, such as packaging machine, scissor lift and electric pallet truck for enhancing their productivity, and provide a one-off subsidy to frontline recycling staff to help the recycling industry to cope with the COVID-19 epidemic.
(4) The Government has introduced the Promotion of Recycling and Proper Disposal of Products (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill 2025 (Amendment Bill) to the Legislative Council on April 2 this year to establish a common legislative framework for the producer responsibility schemes (PRSs) applicable to different products. After the passage of the Amendment Bill, we will extend PRSs to more products (including lead-acid batteries) as and when appropriate by means of subsidiary legislation.
The EPD has conducted consultations on the proposed PRS on lead-acid batteries from June 2023 to April 2025. We hitherto have met with more than 40 companies or organisations including trade associations of automotive batteries and tyres industry, traders of automotive parts, suppliers of uninterrupted power supplies, medical devices and forklifts, as well as engineering contractors and recyclers, with a view to considering the trade’s opinions when drawing up the implementation details. We will maintain a close communication with the trades and take into account their views for the sake of fine-tuning the operational details of the scheme as appropriate, including setting appropriate recycling targets in light of the prevailing circumstances.
(5) After proper treatment of waste lead-acid batteries, valuable lead materials can be recovered, which have considerable value in the international recycling market. Therefore, there is a market for purchasing waste lead-acid batteries for recycling. Apart from Korea, many countries including Poland, the Czech Republic, Spain, Mexico, Greece, and Canada, possess the capability to process waste lead-acid batteries and import them from other places for recycling purposes. The local recycling facility located at the EcoPark is also capable of treating locally generated waste lead-acid batteries. Therefore, even if certain places adjust their policies and cease importing treated waste lead-acid batteries, the market is still capable of handling them. Issued at HKT 12:15
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
LCQ20: Reforming GEM Question:
In 2023, the Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEX) conducted a consultation on the GEM (formerly known as “Growth Enterprise Market”) Listing Reforms and completed the amendment to the GEM Listing Rules. However, it has been reported that upon the introduction of a series of enhancement measures, only three enterprises were listed on GEM last year. Some members of the sector are of the view that GEM has still failed to perform its functions properly. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(1) whether it knows if the HKEX has assessed the effectiveness of the GEM reform, including whether the expected targets (not limited to the number of new listings and the amount of funds raised) have been achieved, and of the specific data or indicators showing that the attractiveness of GEM to issuers has been enhanced after the reform; if an assessment has been conducted, of the details; if not, the reasons for that;
(2) as there are views pointing out that insufficient market liquidity and relatively low investor participation are the core problems of GEM, of the concrete measures put in place by the Government to enhance the market liquidity of GEM, so as to attract the participation of more overseas and local investors, thereby strengthening the vitality and resilience of the market;
(3) whether the Government will join hands with the HKEX to review afresh the positioning of GEM and formulate strategies for its long-term development, as well as to work for co-ordination with other financial policies to ensure competitiveness and sustainable development of Hong Kong’s investment and capital raising markets;
(4) as many small and medium enterprises (SMEs) have relayed that their desire to go listing on GEM has been dampened by the costs of listing which are on the high side, whether the Government will encourage the regulatory bodies to carry out reforms or relax the relevant listing requirements, so as to alleviate the financing costs of SMEs when going listing on GEM; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; and
(5) how the Government will provide a suitable financing platform to enable SMEs which are unable to meet the listing requirements of the Main Board to go listing in Hong Kong (irrespective of whether they are listed on the GEM or other new boards)?
Reply:
President,
In consultation with the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) and the Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEX), the reply to the five parts of the question is as follows:
GEM is positioned to provide a fundraising platform for small and medium enterprises to support their innovation and development, value creation and business growth. To enhance the attractiveness of GEM to issuers and investors, the HKEX implemented a series of GEM reform measures in January 2024. These include introducing a new financial eligibility test for high growth enterprises that are heavily engaged in research and development activities; introducing a new “streamlined transfer mechanism”; aligning the continuing obligations of GEM issuers with those of the Main Board, etc.
The Government, regulators and the HKEX have been closely monitoring the development of stock markets in different places and the effectiveness of relevant measures, as well as continuously reviewing the implementation experience and market conditions. Overall speaking, the initial public offering (IPO) market had gradually become more vibrant in 2024, and enterprises have been increasingly confident about Hong Kong’s financing prospects. In 2024, the amount of total IPO funds raised in Hong Kong exceeded $87 billion, an increase of close to 90 per cent year-on-year and ranking fourth globally. Since the GEM reform, three companies were listed on GEM in 2024. As of the end of March this year, the HKEX was processing over 100 listing applications including that for listing on GEM. As regards liquidity, trading volume in the securities market hit new highs, with the overall average daily turnover of the Main Board and GEM increasing by 26 per cent year-on-year. The overall average daily turnover for the first three months of this year increased by 144 per cent year-on-year. The average daily turnover of GEM in March this year was about $78 million, up 77 per cent year-on-year. Under the newly implemented “streamlined transfer mechanism”, one company was successfully transferred to the Main Board for listing in February this year.
There are many factors that affect IPO listing activities and liquidity of GEM. For example, geopolitics affects global markets and capital flows, where investors’ risk appetite has become more conservative, placing more attention on mature companies supported by business track records. The demand of small and medium enterprises for listing and fundraising is also affected by various external factors such as economic growth slowdown, industry prospects, market investment sentiment, interest rate policies, etc.
To dovetail with the latest economic trends and corporate needs, and thereby further enhance Hong Kong’s competitiveness as an all-rounded fundraising centre, the SFC and the HKEX are taking forward a comprehensive review on reforming the listing regime, including reviewing listing requirements and post-listing ongoing obligations, evaluating listing-related regulations and arrangements to improve the vetting process, optimising the thresholds for dual primary listing and secondary listing, and reviewing the market structure. The reform will study the functions and positioning of different segments to better serve the financing needs of enterprises of different types and backgrounds, including small and medium enterprises and start-ups. The HKEX and the SFC target to put forward enhancement proposals in different areas by batches when they are ready within this year for market consultation.
Vetting of listing applications is an important step to review the compliance of listing applicants and maintain market quality. Its fundamental objective is to protect the rights and interests of the investing public who subscribe to the relevant stocks, especially some retail investors who may not have professional knowledge of corporate finance. According to the information of the HKEX, for the listing applications presented to the Listing Committee for consideration in the 12 months ended March 31, 2025, the median of total business days taken by the HKEX from listing application acknowledgement to issuance of hearing bundle letter was 28 days, while the median number of days required by listing applicants (Note) was 49 days. In maintaining certainty in listing schedule of enterprises, in addition to having clear and standardised procedures, efficient services provided by various professional institutions are also crucial to assist listing applicants in submitting the required information and responding to relevant issues raised by regulators. Currently, the cost of listing of enterprises mainly includes fees paid to sponsors, legal advisors, accountants and other professional services. The relevant fees are determined between listing applicants and professional institutions in accordance with market mechanism based on the circumstances of individual listing applications, which are not directly related to the requirements of regulators for approval of listing applications.
Note: Including the time to respond to comments from the HKEX and the regulator, etc. Issued at HKT 14:30
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
LCQ15: Bringing dogs onto food premises (1) There are restaurants that advertise themselves as pet-friendly in recent years, but there is no specific or consistent definition of this type of restaurants. The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) does not have statistics on the number of all self-claimed pet-friendly restaurants.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Special traffic and transport arrangements for Tam Kung Festival on Hong Kong Island Road closures
Road closures and traffic diversions will be implemented on roads in the vicinity of Shau Kei Wan Road, Shau Kei Wan Main Street East and Tam Kung Temple Road from 6.30am to 6.30pm that day. Intermittent road closures will be implemented on roads in the vicinity of Tai Hang in Wan Chai District from 10.30am that day until crowds disperse and roads are reopened. Vehicular access to and from car parks within the affected areas may not be allowed during the period of road closures.
Public transport service arrangements (ii) The public light bus stand, public light bus parking space and motorcycle parking spaces at Kam Wah Street between Shau Kei Wan Main Street East and Mong Lung Street will be temporarily suspended from 8am on May 4 to 6.30pm the next day;
(iii) All on-street parking spaces within closed road sections in Shau Kei Wan (including metered parking, motorcycle parking and disabled parking spaces) will be temporarily suspended from 10pm on May 4 to 6.30pm the next day; and The TD and the Police will closely monitor the traffic situation and implement appropriate measures when necessary. The public should pay attention to the latest traffic news through radio, television or “HKeMobility”. Issued at HKT 12:20