Editorial | Strong incentives and convenience can spell success for recycling in Hong Kong

Criticism is already swirling around Hong Kong’s latest plan to tackle waste problems, which are rapidly outpacing landfill space.

The citywide recycling scheme for plastic beverage containers and drink cartons is worth pursuing, but authorities must heed warnings that rebate and implementation proposals may miss the mark.

The Environment and Ecology Bureau wants drink suppliers to arrange self-recovery or engage registered operators to meet government recycling targets for containers with volumes of 100ml to two litres.

To encourage the public to recycle, designated return points would be set up to offer rebates of not less than 10 HK cents (1.3 US cents) for each plastic container or carton.

In a paper submitted to lawmakers last month, the bureau said large retail stores needed to set up collection spots and the government would establish facilities at suitable venues. Officials want to see the city recover 75 per cent of plastic beverage containers and half of all drink cartons six to eight years after implementation.

The aim is to establish a common legislative framework for Producer Responsibility Schemes, at first covering plastic drink containers and beverage cartons, and later electric vehicle batteries, vehicle tyres and lead-acid batteries.

Many jurisdictions around the world have implemented rules requiring stakeholders to share the burden for the collection, recycling, treatment and disposal of end-of-life products.