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Written by: Golden Chess
2021-04-30 00:00
Last update date: 2021-04-30 00:00
The Environmental Protection Agency is launching a public consultation on the "Plastic Beverage Container Producer Responsibility Program". The public is advised to provide a 1 cent rebate after returning the used plastic beverage containers. The consultation period will end on the 21st of next month.
Research conducted by the international group "Reloop", which is concerned with waste reduction, found that a number of European countries that adopt bottle-by-bottle systems, including Germany and the Netherlands, have a beverage bottle recycling rate of more than 90%.
Reloop also pointed out that the current proposal made by the Environmental Protection Agency is similar to that of Australia that adopts the rebate system, but the recycling rate of local plastic bottles is much lower than that of countries that adopt the bottle-by-bottle system.
The group suggested that if the bottle-by-bottle system is used in Hong Kong, it is estimated that the recovery rate could reach 90% within three years.
Liu Zhifeng, the director-general of the environmental group Green Earth, cited his own experience and pointed out that 50 years ago, there was a deposit of 2 cents for the purchase of soft drinks.
Reloop, an international non-profit organization that is concerned about waste reduction, conducted a study on the recycling of beverage bottles around the world last year and found that in the international community, 90% of the regions that implement the beverage bottle producer responsibility system adopt the bottle-by-bottle system, including many in Europe. Countries, and the deposit is about 0.9 to 3.8 Hong Kong dollars.
In these countries, such as Denmark, Finland and the Netherlands, the recycling rate of beverage bottles is also higher than 90%.
The few countries that have adopted the rebate system include Australia, which is similar to the current proposal of the Hong Kong Government.
However, referring to Australia’s experience, in many regions, such as the Australian Capital Territory and Queensland, the total beverage bottle recycling rate is only about half.
Reloop Director Robert Kelman is worried that if Hong Kong continues to use this system, it will seriously weaken the effectiveness of recycling.
▼Environmental Protection Agency Consultation Document▼
The group questioned whether the 1 cent rebate was too low, consumers or simply discarded it
Regarding the Hong Kong government’s proposal to provide a 1 cent rebate for each plastic bottle, Robert Kelman bluntly stated that the amount is too low and it is meaningless to consumers (Meaningless rebate value to all consumers).
He also pointed out that the rebate for recycled beverage bottles in Australia is about HK$6 cents, which is higher than the recommended amount in Hong Kong.
He believes that if Hong Kong implements a 1 cent rebate, consumers may prefer to discard beverage bottles instead of recycling, and the proposed recycling plan may become invalid.
Liu Zhifeng pointed out that a deposit of 2 cents was required to buy soft drinks 50 years ago. He "absolutely understands that the level recommended by the government today is lower than 50 years ago." He believes that the public cannot be attracted to recycle plastic bottles.
Reloop suggests that the Hong Kong government switch to a bottle-by-bottle system. It is estimated that if the deposit is set at $1, the recovery rate can reach 90% within 3 years.
Robert Kelman explained that the numbers are based on international research conducted by the group.
He also criticized that the Hong Kong Government has only a vision but no definite goals, so he urged the Hong Kong Government to set clear goals.
Liu Zhifeng, Director-General of Green Earth.
(Information Picture/Photographed by Li Zetong)
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