CONTENTS
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ........................................................................................................................ i1 INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................................... 1
1.1 Objectives ................................................................................................................................. 11.2 Choice of Waste Types for this Study ...................................................................................... 21.3 Waste-to-Resources Strategy for Hong Kong .......................................................................... 2
2 METHODOLOGY .......................................................................................................................... 42.1 Approach to Research and Engagement ................................................................................... 42.2 Summary of Engagement Schedule ......................................................................................... 4
3 PLASTIC RECYCLING ................................................................................................................. 63.1 Ecosystem of Waste Plastic in Hong Kong .............................................................................. 8
3.1.1 Quantity of Waste Plastic Generation in Hong Kong ..................................................... 83.1.2 Current Situation of Waste Plastic Recycling in Hong Kong ......................................... 93.1.3 Trading of Plastic .......................................................................................................... 143.1.4 Local Recycling Channels in Hong Kong .................................................................... 16
3.2 Difficulties in Recycling Plastic in Hong Kong ..................................................................... 173.2.1 Land Availability ........................................................................................................... 173.2.2 Cost in Employees Compensation Insurance ............................................................... 183.2.3 Transportation Cost ....................................................................................................... 183.2.4 Market Price Fluctuation .............................................................................................. 193.2.5 Tightened Import Enforcement - Operation Green Fence ............................................ 193.2.6 Mixed Waste Plastic ...................................................................................................... 20
3.3 Overseas Experience in Waste Plastic Recycling .................................................................. 203.3.1 Selection of the Types of Waste Plastic to Be Recycled ............................................... 203.3.2 Incentivizing through Producer Responsibility Scheme ............................................... 213.3.3 Differentiated Pricing for Different Plastic Types ........................................................ 213.3.4 Boosting the Recycling Rate by Education and Management Measures like Quantity-Based Waste Charging ................................................................................... 223.3.5 Financial Support to Small Recycler ............................................................................ 22
3.4 Collection of Stakeholders Opinion and Views ..................................................................... 233.4.1 Subsidizing Costs .......................................................................................................... 233.4.2 Establishing Centralized Collection Points ................................................................... 233.4.3 Developing Certification/Licensing Schemes .............................................................. 243.4.4 Direct subsidies for hiring staff ..................................................................................... 25
3.5 Possible Interventions to Enhance Plastic Recycling ............................................................. 253.5.1 Short-term Measures ..................................................................................................... 263.5.2 Medium-term Measures ................................................................................................ 28
4 PAPER RECYCLING ................................................................................................................... 314.1 Ecosystem of Paper Waste in Hong Kong .............................................................................. 31
4.1.1 Quantity of Paper Waste Generation in Hong Kong ..................................................... 314.1.2 Collection, Recycle and Disposal Channels ................................................................. 32
4.2 Difficulties in Recycling Paper in Hong Kong ...................................................................... 354.2.1 Large Amount of Free Newsprint and Contamination of Disposed Newsprint ............ 364.2.2 Difficulty in Reduction of Quantity of Disposed Tissue Paper due to Hygienic Reason ........................................................................................................................... 37
4.3 Policies in Other Jurisdictions to Regulate and Promote Paper Recycling ............................ 384.4 Possible Interventions to Promote Paper Recycling .............................................................. 41
4.4.1 Short-term Measures ..................................................................................................... 424.4.2 Medium term Measures ................................................................................................ 42
Engagement Programme for the Recycling Industry in Hong Kong (Ref. EA 13-013) Final Report
5 USED COOKING OIL AND GREASE TRAP WASTE RECYCLING ...................................... 435.1 Ecosystem of Used Cooking Oil and Grease Trap Waste in Hong Kong .............................. 44
5.1.1 Quantity of Used Cooking Oil and Grease Trap Waste Generation in Hong Kong ...... 445.1.2 Collection, Recycling and Disposal Channels .............................................................. 44
5.2 Difficulties in Recycling UCO in Hong Kong ....................................................................... 495.2.1 Variability in the Operational Conduct of Collectors ................................................... 495.2.2 Dumping of UCO by Some UCO Producers ................................................................ 495.2.3 Limited Information for UCO Producers to Differentiate Collectors ........................... 495.2.4 Small Local Demand for Biodiesel ............................................................................... 50
5.3 Policies on UCO Recycling in Other Jurisdictions ................................................................ 505.3.1 Regulation of UCO Collection ..................................................................................... 515.3.2 Considerations by Other Jurisdictions to Control UCO ............................................... 545.3.3 Certification and Audit Required to Export UCO to European Union ......................... 555.3.4 Boosting Local Demand for Biodiesel .......................................................................... 565.3.5 Summary of Policies in Other Jurisdictions ................................................................. 59
5.4 Possible Points and Means of Intervention on Enhancing UCO Recycling .......................... 605.4.1 Short-term Measures ..................................................................................................... 605.4.2 Medium-term Measures ................................................................................................ 60
APPENDIX 2A - Detail Methodology ................................................................................................... 62APPENDIX 2B - List of Engaged Stakeholders .................................................................................... 65APPENDIX 2C - List of Stakeholders who Declined to Participate the Interview, Did not Reply or
Could not be Contacted ............................................................................................... 69APPENDIX 3A - Policies in Other Jurisdictions to Regulate Plastic Waste Disposal and Promote
Plastic Recycling ........................................................................................................ 71APPENDIX 3B - Views & Comments Collected From Stakeholders - Waste Plastic ........................... 84APPENDIX 4A - Views & Specific Comments Collected from Stakeholders regarding Recycling
Paper ........................................................................................................................... 88APPENDIX 5A - Comparison of Estimates of UCO Generation Quantity ............................................ 90APPENDIX 5B - Technologies to Recycle UCO ................................................................................... 92APPENDIX 5C - Views & Comments Collected From Stakeholders .................................................... 94APPENDIX 5D - Potential of Using Local UCO to Meet Local Demand ............................................. 97
