The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) today said it will take over the management of recycling bins in public places from the Food & Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) starting tomorrow.

Under the new arrangement, the collection of recyclables and general waste will be managed by the EPD and the FEHD respectively.

Meanwhile, the design of recycling bins in public places such as roadsides will be enhanced to achieve "bigger capacity, easy reporting".

The litter compartment currently connected with the recycling bins will be changed to collect recyclables such as waste plastics to increase the collection capacity and help the public avoid putting litter into recycling bins by mistake.

Furthermore, new labels with a QR code and a service hotline number will be put on the recycling bins to facilitate the public to report matters including overfilled and damaged bins to improve the recyclables collection contractor's efficiency in taking follow-up action.

From mid-September, the EPD has started replacing the labels on the recycling bins with the new design.

It also added a number of new requirements in the new contract of recyclables collection services to boost efficiency and strengthen the public's confidence in the proper handling of recyclables.

The department will also strengthen the monitoring of collection services, including the processes for collection, transportation and sorting of recyclables and the recycling capability downstream to ensure that recyclables are properly handled, thereby turning waste into resources.

Noting that there are about 1,800 sets of recyclable separation bins across the city, including those on pavements and at public transport interchanges and rural areas, the EPD said it will continue to review the distribution and usage of these recycling bins.

An engagement exercise was conducted in July and August to collect public views on the new design of recycling bins and litter containers in public places through roving exhibitions. They generally welcomed and supported the new design and the functional improvements made to protect occupational safety and health.

Relevant departments are fine-tuning the design according to the feedback collected. The design will be finalised with reference to the outcomes of field trials, which will be conducted in selected locations next year.

The newly designed recycling bins and litter containers are expected to be rolled out and replace the existing ones gradually from 2022 to further support the public to practise clean recycling and frontline personnel to collect waste and recyclables.