Hong Kong plan for recycling beverage containers draws criticism
Environmentalists and residents say 10 HK cent rebate is too little to motivate people to recycle
The scheme the Environment and Ecology Bureau revealed on Tuesday requires drink suppliers to either arrange self-recovery or engage registered operators to meet government recycling targets of beverage containers with volumes of 100ml (3.4 fluid ounces) to two litres.
“To encourage the public in returning containers for recycling, we preliminarily propose that all designated return points are required to provide a rebate of not less than $0.1 for each plastic beverage container and beverage carton,” the bureau said in a paper submitted to the Legislative Council.
Large retail stores must establish return points, while the government plans to set up collection facilities at suitable venues.
The government intends to introduce the amendments to the relevant ordinances in the second quarter of this year, with implementation expected to follow several years later. It aims to recover 75 per cent of plastic beverage containers and half of drink cartons six to eight years after the implementation.
The amendments aim to establish a common legislative framework for Producer Responsibility Schemes, covering plastic drink containers and beverage cartons in the first stage, and then electric vehicle batteries, vehicle tyres and lead-acid batteries later.