Hong Kong's environmental protection policy has not made much progress. For many years, it seems that it has remained at the stage of "blue waste paper, yellow aluminum cans, and brown plastic bottles", and there has not been a plastic reduction policy.
Last year, the mainland stopped the import of waste paper, and for a time Hong Kong recyclers also stopped collecting waste paper.
When the government is faced with inquiries from legislators on plastic reduction issues and countless initiatives by environmental groups, it is always in a state of "discussing" and "under consideration" with the retail industry and catering industry, lest it harm the economic interests of the industry and would rather harm environmental protection Benefits without actual action.
On July 1, 2019, the "Regulations of Shanghai Municipality on the Management of Domestic Waste" was formally implemented.
At the Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station, volunteers are promoting tips on garbage classification.
(Visual China)
In contrast, neighboring areas have been vigorously promoted for many years, and waste management has been done in an orderly manner and with high efficiency: South Korea’s waste management system is at the forefront of Asia, and Seoul is the most effective one.
The local municipal department is responsible for collecting, recycling and disposing of household, industrial and commercial solid waste. The multi-pronged approach; Taiwan’s waste management has lagged behind Hong Kong’s, but because of the early introduction of a garbage levy policy by the Taiwan government, it has subsequently formulated complicated and effective measures. Singapore’s waste management system has gradually reversed the situation; Singapore has a small land and a large population, which is very similar to the situation in Hong Kong. "The Regulations on the Management of Domestic Waste", complicated measures have caused complaints among the citizens. Over time, when the people are familiar with the regulations, the results can be said to be immediate.
Looking at the situation in these four Asian regions, and then looking back at Hong Kong's garbage collection practices that rely on the conscious classification and unsupervised by the citizens, it is not difficult to imagine why Hong Kong does not have systematic waste management today...
For details, please read the 285th "Hong Kong 01" Electronic Weekly Newsletter (October 4, 2021) "What
should Hong Kong learn from Taiwan, Shanghai, South Korea and Star?
".
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285th "Hong Kong 01" Electronic Weekly News
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