In response to the outbreak of the epidemic, the Mainland refused to recycle the styrofoam boxes containing vegetables supplied to Hong Kong at the beginning of this year, so they could not be reused.
This has led to the "siege of styrofoam boxes" in many districts in Hong Kong.
The Secretary for the Environment, Mr Wong Kam-sing, said in the Legislative Council today (18th) that there are about 120,000 styrofoam boxes weighing 48 tonnes a day supplied to Hong Kong, and the authorities have increased support to increase the processing capacity of local recyclers , from less than one metric ton per day to seven metric tons, about 1.5 percent of plastic containers can be recycled.
He also revealed that the FEHD has stepped up its enforcement. In the past two and a half months, about 800 fixed penalty notices were issued at the locations where the styrofoam boxes were abandoned.
▼A large number of styrofoam boxes were hoarded in multi-district markets in early February▼
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FEHD and recyclers can only process about half of the styrofoam boxes per day
Huang Jinxing said that in the past, the styrofoam boxes that were supplied to Hong Kong every day were valuable in the market, but due to the impact of the epidemic, the reuse and transportation chain of styrofoam boxes was interrupted, so that about 120,000 styrofoam boxes with a total weight of 48 tons were supplied every day. After Hong Kong, it could not be reused across borders.
At present, the FEHD cleans 40,000 to 50,000 of them every day, and several local recyclers have also increased their processing capacity. From less than 1 ton per day in the past, to about 7 metric tons per day recently.
He also pointed out that the authorities have also launched a pilot program in four wholesale markets to provide reusable plastic boxes to the industry, hoping to reduce the reliance on styrofoam boxes from the source.
Wong Kam-sing also pointed out that the FEHD has strengthened its refuse collection services, cleaned up the discarded styrofoam boxes as soon as possible, and took the initiative to put up notices to provide nearby refuse collection points for citizens to properly dispose of their waste, and to strengthen law enforcement to combat illegal refuse disposal.
Between February 14 and May 1, the department issued a total of about 800 fixed penalty notices at various locations where styrofoam boxes were disposed of.
He said that styrofoam is not easy to decompose. Once it enters the marine environment by mistake, it will affect the marine ecosystem. Fortunately, no increase in marine garbage has been found.
The Secretary for the Environment, Mr Wong Kam-sing, said that about 120,000 styrofoam boxes with a total weight of 48 tonnes are supplied to Hong Kong every day.
(File photo/Photo by Zhang Haowei)
Hong Kong government continues to discuss "customs clearance" of styrofoam boxes with mainland authorities
Huang revealed that under the premise of epidemic prevention and control, the Food and Health Bureau, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department and the Environmental Protection Department have stepped up discussions with the Mainland authorities on mutually acceptable disinfection standards and procedures, hoping to allow the sterilized styrofoam boxes to be returned to the Mainland. Solve problems at the source.
However, some Members criticized that the arrangement seems to be as far away as customs clearance with the Mainland, which also undermined the public's confidence in environmental protection policies.
Huang responded by pointing out that styrofoam boxes with thermal insulation should be reusable, which cannot be compared with disposable tableware. During the suspension period in the Mainland, in order to reduce the pressure on landfills, it is necessary to increase the local recycling capacity during this period. The most hope is that these plastic boxes will return to the nature of reuse, and after proper disinfection, they can be "cleared" as soon as possible.
Styrofoam box siege｜The Environmental Protection Agency said that 4 or 5 recyclers received it but only digested about 10% of the styrofoam box siege every day. Huang Jinxing’s material increased by 150,000 every day. Continuing institutions receive 5 tons of vegetable box recyclers per month to degrade them on the spot but cannot fully digest Omicron｜Worry about virus exposure
