Secretary for Environment Edward Yau says the proposed integrated waste management facilities will meet the highest international standards, adding his bureau can discuss the proposal with Shenzhen counterparts to ease concerns across the boundary.

Speaking to reporters after a luncheon today Mr Yau said it is understandable both local residents and those nearby are concerned about the effect of the proposed facilities.

"I understand their major concern is whether the emission standards would meet the highest international standards. We can confidently say they will."

The secretary said there is a lot of ongoing routine dialogue at professional and working levels between the provincial and city governments, adding the subject can be discussed as Hong Kong proceeds in planning for the new facilities.

Essential tools

He said the proposed facilities are one of the very important tools the city cannot afford to omit because currently people are disposing their waste through a single means - landfills.

"We all know our landfills will be full in another four to eight years. We must start planning for that. In the meantime other actions, other efforts, including any means to reduce waste, to recycle waste, to re-use waste, must go in parallel."

Mr Yau said his bureau is starting site selection for the facilities and needs to conduct an environmental impact study which will take about 18 months.

"From our projection, with the landfills running out of capacity in the next four to eight years, we need to have a facility ready by 2014 or 2015. I think we need to start working now."