Designated locations for on-street clothes collection bins will be allocated under a new Lands Department plan that may be implemented by year's end.

It will better control the use of metal cages placed on streets to collect old and unwanted clothes. The number of cages has grown in recent years causing environmental hygiene problems and obstruction, affecting pedestrian safety.

Street smart: Assistant Director of Lands Simon Yu pledges better control of used-clothes collection bins.

New restrictions

Assistant Director of Lands Simon Yu said District Lands Offices will formulate a list of designated spots and all approved cages must be kept within these areas. Those found outside will be removed.

Organisations wanting to distribute clothes collection cages on unleased land must apply to District Lands Offices. The new plan will also reduce the processing time of applications, and release manpower for more law-enforcement operations.

Only applications from non-profit making bodies will be considered, and one collection cage will be permitted in any designated spot.

The department will consult other departments and District Councils to discuss locations in September, and in the meantime work with the Food & Environmental Hygiene Department to remove unauthorised cages.