Legislative Council｜Wang Jinxing passed the second reading of the garbage levy draft: the effective date will be announced later

The Legislative Council today (26th) continues the second reading of the Waste Disposal (Municipal Solid Waste Charges) (Amendment) Bill 2018.

At the meeting yesterday, apart from the passionate citizen Senator Cheng Songtai who expressed opposition to the law, saying that the law only targeted ordinary citizens, but did not mention producer responsibility, the rest of the members who spoke expressed their support, but many people urged the government to add more recycling facilities and asked for it. Educate citizens to raise awareness of environmental protection.

The Secretary for the Environment, Huang Jinxing, said that the government will implement the policy step by step, with an 18-month preparation period as the basic arrangement.

The authorities understand the needs of the poor, and will continue to consult with people from all walks of life, and will consult the Legislative Council's Environmental Affairs Committee during the preparation period before announcing the effective date.

In addition, the Legislative Council will resume the second reading of the Ocean Park Corporation (Amendment) Bill 2021.

[09:23] The bill was passed on second reading with 37 votes in favor and 1 vote against, and it will enter the committee stage.

[09:10] The Secretary of the Environment Bureau Huang Jinxing pointed out that the government will implement policies step by step, with an 18-month preparation period as the basic arrangement.

He mentioned that he understands that Hong Kong’s economy is affected by the epidemic and that the levy may burden the public in the future. Therefore, there is no time for the policy to take effect. The authorities will continue to consult people from all walks of life and promise to take care of the needs of the poor; in the preparation period , The bureau will continue to consult the Legislative Council's Environmental Affairs Committee, and then announce the effective date.

In addition, the authorities have increased recycling networks in various communities, which are now spread across 18 districts in Hong Kong, and at least 10 convenience points will be added in the future.

9 types of garbage bags cost 0.11 yuan per liter, the smallest is 3 liters

Huang Jinxing pointed out earlier that after the regulations are passed, there will be an 18-month preparation period. In the early stage, the government will distribute garbage bags free of charge to help the public adapt and help the business community deal with food waste problems.

According to the legislative documents submitted by the government, the designated garbage bag charge is set at 0.11 yuan per liter, divided into 9 types from 3 liters to 100 liters. If a family of three uses a designated garbage bag of 10 liters or 15 liters a day, they will have to pay 33 per month. Yuan or 51 Yuan.

The Hong Kong government plans to increase the standard amount of 10 yuan per person per month for all CSSA recipients after the implementation of garbage collection.

As for large garbage that cannot be packed in designated garbage bags, including furniture, a flat fee of $11 is charged for each item, and the public must affix designated labels before disposal.

The government stated that the designated garbage bags and the designated labels required for large garbage are all equipped with anti-counterfeiting features and can be purchased at about 4,000 authorized sales points, including supermarkets, convenience stores, petrol stations, post offices, and vending machines. It can also be purchased through authorized online platforms.

After the first 18 months of the preparation period, there will be a period of "adaptation period" during which warnings will be issued for offenders intercepted on the spot, and enforcement actions will be taken against serious violations.

After the adaptation period, if the offender is intercepted on the spot, a 1,500 yuan fixed penalty notice will be issued.

Second Reading of the Waste Levy Draft Zheng Songtai approves the establishment of the public to open up more recycling facilities. Huang Jinxing: The implementation of garbage levy after 18 months is appropriate and the flexible garbage levy will be set aside according to the economic situation. The government expects to spend 640 million yuan a year after implementation Production and distribution of designated garbage bags and labels Chen Zhisi: Garbage levy can solve the solid waste crisis, lamenting that it is difficult to promote under "vested interests"

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