Collection inspection: Secretary for the Environment, Transport & Works Dr Sarah Liao says introducing more convenient refuse separation methods will encourage residents to participate in the domestic waste source separation programme.

Secretary for the Environment, Transport & Works Dr Sarah Liao says introducing more convenient refuse separation methods will encourage residents to participate in the domestic waste source separation programme.

Speaking after the Forum on Source Separation of Domestic Waste today, Dr Liao said Hong Kong's household refuse recycling rate is 16%, adding the Government will review the effectiveness of the separation programme later this year. She also asked property management companies to come up with more innovative and convenient ways to encourage residents to join the programme.

Since its January 2005 launch, more than 340 housing estates have enrolled in the Source Separation of Domestic Waste Programme, covering 427,000 households and a population of 1.5 million.

About 120 housing estates have provided waste separation facilities on each building floor while others have committed to improving facilities and broadening the scope of recyclables to be recovered.

About 60 estates have achieved an overall 50% increase in the quantity of recyclables collected while generating up to 4% less waste.

Admitting it will be more difficult to introduce the programme in individual residential buildings, Dr Liao said the Government will study the Buildings Ordinance to see if anything can be done through legislation.

Guidebook published

The Environmental Protection Department has published the Guidebook on Source Separation of Waste in Residential Buildings.

The guidebook provides guidelines for property management companies and residents' organisations to adopt the best mode of waste separation and recovery tailor-made to suit its particular physical constraints and other characteristics, by setting up appropriate waste separation facilities on each floor.

It also details the building and fire safety requirements to be complied by property management companies in setting up separation facilities on each floor. For details click here.