Waste Reduction Task Force We established the Waste Reduction Task Force for the public housing sector in June 1997 in support of the Government's efforts to reduce municipal solid waste going to landfill. Our target is to reduce the total quantity of our solid waste requiring disposal by 20% between 1997 and 2007 through waste avoidance, minimisation and recycling. Waste Reduction in Housing Estates We have continued our waste reduction efforts, and in the past year have also expanded or implemented several new initiatives. We have focused our efforts on: Providing facilities for collection and segregation of recyclable materials at source. Collection of recyclable materials including paper, aluminium cans, plastic bottles and used clothing. Encouraging waste reduction at source through various awareness-raising campaigns. Since 1991 we have managed, in association with Green Groups and the Environmental Campaign Committee (ECC), a waste reduction programme for the recovery of waste paper. The programme was originally conducted in 12 estates, but has been extended to all of our 171 housing estates in 2000. Aluminium cans and plastic bottles are now included in the collection. The increased use of waste collection bins help the collection of household waste for recycling. Participation in the Waste Recycling Campaign Text-only version All our estates participate in Waste Recycling Campaign. Waste Collection Bins We have provided 3 916 bins for collection of recyclable materials in rental housing estates to encourage waste recycling. At present every rental housing block is equipped with at least one set of the 3-bin system for separate collection of waste paper, aluminium cans and plastic bottles. In new designs for domestic blocks, sufficient space is allowed in refuse rooms on each floor to accommodate collection bins in order to better facilitate separation and collection of recyclable materials. We are seeking ways to increase the collection of household waste for recycling. On a trial basis, we partnered with Green Power at Choi Wan Estate and with Friends of the Earth at Kwong Tin Estate to provide collection bins on each floor of one block. Results were encouraging as there was a significant increase in the collection of recyclable materials. However, nuisance and management problems were encountered but it is envisaged that they can be resolved through use of well designed bins. In late 2001, a larger scale trial will commence at Chak On and Chun Shek Estates where purposely designed collection bins will be placed on all floors in all domestic blocks. The trial will last for three months and if results are positive, we will consider full implementation in all rental estates in phases. Monthly Recyclable Waste Collection Text-only version Each month we collect a large amount of waste from residents for recycling. Used-clothing collection started in some of our estates in June 2000. In a few of our estates, we have also been running a trial for metal collection since January and glass collection since August. Cleansing contractors employed by the Authority are required to arrange for the collection and transportation of household waste for recycling. A breakdown of waste materials collected for recycling is provided in the above chart. The amount of waste paper, aluminium cans and plastic bottles collected in the past year was 19% greater than in the previous year (1999/ 2000). There was a significant increase in waste paper collected but the collection of aluminium and plastic declined. We will continue to monitor and seek ways to increase collection. For example, next year we will promote the collection of plastic bottles by participating the ECC's Regional Plastic Recyclable Collection Scheme. We have also set performance indicators for the next four years for the recovery of domestic waste. This year we collected more types of waste for recycling. We started collecting used-clothing in collaboration with voluntary organisations such as the Salvation Army. In a small scale trial we have also investigated the practicability of collecting metal and glass. Next year we intend to promote collection of disused mobile telephone batteries. Recyclable Waste Collection Text-only version We have improved the overall amount of waste material we collect for recycling since last year. < Previous PageNext Page >Back to Top 2001 Housing Authority. All rights reserved.