Secretary for the Environment KS Wong visited the North Lantau Transfer Station in Siu Ho Wan today to inspect the distribution of face masks by the Environmental Protection Department to refuse collection vehicle drivers.

At present, municipal solid waste is mainly collected by refuse collection vehicles then sent to landfills for direct disposal or through refuse transfer stations.

The department will distribute about 80,000 face masks to the refuse collection trade and recycling facilities to support the work of frontline personnel and thank them for standing ready to fight the epidemic.

As with other refuse transfer stations, the process of waste handling at the North Lantau Transfer Station is mainly operated by machinery, with station staff not required to come into contact with or handle the waste manually.

The transfer station's contractor is required to regularly clean the waste tipping hall, station floor, waste conveyor system and machinery as well as the containers and trucks used for waste transfers, while all refuse collection vehicles are required to be washed before leaving the transfer station and landfills to stay clean and hygienic.

During the epidemic, the department has added disinfectants to the vehicle wash facilities of the refuse transfer stations and landfills to enhance epidemic prevention.

Mr Wong said waste treatment is an essential public service and environmental hygiene is especially important during this time, adding that he is grateful to the frontline staff for continuing to relentlessly provide the service amid the epidemic.

The Environment Bureau earlier launched the Subsidy Scheme for the Refuse Transfer Station Account Holders for Transporting Municipal Solid Waste to offer a one-off relief subsidy of $8,000 to each of the private municipal solid waste collectors.

A total of about $6.5 million in subsidies was disbursed to collectors to help the trade cope with current challenges and maintain environmental hygiene.

In addition, the department will provide 30,000 masks to about 500 frontline employees of resource recycling facilities operators such as WEEE·PARK, Community Green Stations and the Community Recycling Network.