Hong Kong’s only trash incinerator struggles to cope with vast amounts of Covid medical waste

Hong Kong’s only waste incinerator is struggling to deal with vast amounts of medical waste generated by the city’s fifth wave of Covid-19. Daily medical waste levels are said to be twice that of the incinerator’s capacity. From March 19-23, 2022, the city generated over three times more clinical waste each day , compared to the same period in 2021, according to the city’s Environmental Protection Department. Clinical waste refers to potentially harmful substances generated by clinics, hospitals and laboratories, including used syringes and body tissue. They cannot be recycled and must be incinerated or buried in a landfill due to their potential health risks. Heavy reliance on single-use food containers and Covid-19 rapid test kits have also contributed to the rising level of wastes, some of which are now buried in a landfill in the New Territories.