The municipal solid waste (MSW) disposed of at landfills dropped for two consecutive years to 3.97 million tonnes in 2023, and the average daily quantity was 10,884 tonnes, a 2.2% decrease compared to the previous year, according to a report released by Environmental Protection Department today.

Among the MSW, disposal of waste plastics dropped 10.5%, and that of food waste dropped 3.4%, in particular the domestic food waste with a decrease of 12.6%. Disposal of waste paper and waste metal decreased 3.2% and 9.5% respectively.

The per capita MSW disposal rate per day in 2023 was 1.44 kg, down from 1.51 kg in the previous year. Among the three major categories of MSW in 2023, food waste accounted for 29%, followed by waste paper and waste plastics, accounting for 20% and 19%, which are lower than the corresponding shares in 2022.

With the implementation of the Enhanced Plastic Shopping Bag Charging Scheme since December 2022, the number of plastic shopping bags disposed of in 2023 was 3.72 billion, down from 5.43 billion in the preceding year, among which the flat-top bags disposed of dropped by more than 60%.

The overall MSW recovery rate rose for three consecutive years, with the latest figure rising from 32% in 2022 to 33% in 2023 and the increase in total recovery was more than 55,000 tonnes. Of them, the MSW recovered for local recycling was about 450,000 tonnes in 2023, an 8% increase year-on-year.

Regarding construction waste, the relevant statistics in recent years showed the effectiveness of the strategies adopted by the Government.

The overall quantity of construction waste generation dropped by 9% to 45,560 tonnes per day on average in 2023 as compared to the preceding year, of which more than 90% was reused.

The construction waste disposed of at landfills rose by 300 tonnes per day as compared to 2022, reaching 4,428 tonnes per day in 2023. The rise may stem from an increase in both the number of companies ceasing operation and starting new business between these two years, generating more construction waste associated with renovation and demolition works.

Seizing the opportunity of increasing public participation in waste reduction and recycling, the Government will further promote the waste reduction and recycling culture in society, the department stressed.

Corresponding initiatives include the optimisation of recycling facilities under GREEN@COMMUNITY, and the introduction of a bill to establish a common legislative framework of producer responsibility schemes on different products to facilitate the progressive inclusion of products such as plastic beverage containers and beverage cartons.

The department added that with facilitation measures in place, the Government will also increase the useable area and extend the lease term of short-term tenancy sites for recycling operations to provide the recycling trade with more room for their business.