Waste-charging trial has turned into an embarrassment
- Reducing waste and increasing recycling was always going to be complex in Hong Kong, but lack of preparation has created problems for the government
The trial run of the controversial new waste-charging scheme is supposed to uncover any shortcomings in advance and ensure a smooth transition.
But it has suffered through lack of preparation, landing the government with problems it never bargained for. A small-scale trial from April 1 involving a handful of locations did not seem too demanding. But what should have been a soft exercise turned into an embarrassment, even after initial teething problems had been remedied.
Environmental authorities reported that only 20 to 50 per cent of public and private housing estate residents followed the new rules. But 100 per cent compliance from nursing homes, for example, shows waste charging works with proper planning.
Now it seems that citywide introduction of the scheme in August, already deferred twice this year, is likely to be put back again.
Environment minister Tse Chin-wan conceded many people had found the trial too complicated. Frontline sanitation and management staff also faced significant extra work.
Just half of residents at most stick to rules in Hong Kong waste scheme trial
The trial hardly met anticipation of an environmentally friendly waste management system that had been under discussion for many years and legislated by lawmakers in 2021.
The minister’s remarks were in line with those of Deputy Chief Secretary Warner Cheuk Wing-hing. with the latter saying the scheme must have public consensus and support. Their comments were seen as paving the way for deferral.
This would do nothing for the government’s standing but its advisers reportedly have warned that going ahead without addressing flaws risks losing public trust.
The scheme would require residents to use designated rubbish bags available in nine sizes at a cost of 30 HK cents (4 US cents) to HK$11 (US$1.41).
The trial run covered 14 locations including residential, restaurants, care homes, shopping malls and government buildings.
Cheuk and Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu separately visited cleaners taking part in the trial. One told Lee her work was taking twice as long and another said her workload had doubled.
Lee promised to look into every element of the scheme.
Many ‘problems’ revealed in Hong Kong waste-charging scheme trial run: official
Introduction of a scheme to reduce waste and increase recycling was always going to be complex in crowded, high-rise Hong Kong.
Better planning is needed. Challenges posed by local conditions should not have come as a surprise.
Yet the trial left residents, especially the elderly, “confused, sceptical and frustrated”, according to a Post report that indicated a lack of preparation and education.
The legislation does not set a time frame. The government should consider rolling out the scheme in phases, or the suggestion of starting with places where it is easier to implement it, like government premises or big housing estates where the recycling rates are high.
