Hong Kong has been doing a satisfactory job in waste recovery with the overall municipal solid-waste recovery rate rising to 45% in 2006, Secretary for the Environment Edward Yau says.

The recovery rate of commercial and industrial waste was over 60% while the figure for domestic waste was about 20%.

Mr Yau said there was a 2.8% drop in domestic waste disposed of at landfills in 2006 despite population growth. However, a 3.8% increase was recorded in commercial and industrial waste due to the city's strong economic growth.

Speaking on a radio talk show this morning he encouraged the public to put more effort in source separation on domestic waste, adding the business and industry sectors should explore more ways to turn waste recovery into business opportunities.

On the proposal to develop integrated waste management facilities, Mr Yau said there is pressing need to adopt advanced technologies to reduce waste volume because landfill capacity will be exhausted in four to eight years.

He said the Government will be prudent in selecting the site for building the facilities, adding the two potential sites - Tuen Mun's Tsang Tsui and Shek Kwu Chau - are remote.

Understanding people's concern about the facilities' possible environmental and social impacts, the Government will give a more detailed explanation and will launch an environment assessment and a public consultation.