HP Telford Envirotech Group Limited (HP Telford) becomes one of the EcoPark tenants since 30 June 2018. HP Telford recycles waste plastics into polyethylene (PE) wax and polyester (PET) packing strap, via recycling processes. General public, institutions and organizations who are interested in supplying their waste plastic to HP Telford for recycling are welcome to call EcoPark hotline 2496 7633 for further arrangement.

Survey on Interest for Pilot Scheme on Collection and Recycling of Waste Plastics

(Information extract from government's website)

The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region invites market interest from organizations who are interested in providing service for the "Pilot Scheme on Collection and Recycling of Waste Plastics".

Due to the low density, variety and bulky volume of plastic materials, the cost of collection, sorting, storage and transportation of waste plastics is high. Besides, the price of raw plastic materials remains consistently low, as a result, waste plastics recycling is not effective. In the past 3 years, the annual amount of waste plastics disposed of at landfills were more than 700,000 metric tonnes. On the other hand, the Mainland has prohibited the import of waste plastics from the domestic source since January 2018. The operation mode which the local recycling industry has been adopting (i.e. collecting, baling, and exporting) could no longer be sustained. Therefore, the Government is preparing to introduce a free service (the Service) to collect waste plastics directly from source as needed, and further process them into recycled raw materials or products. Through the service, the operational standards and efficiency of the recycling trade could be improved.

The Service can be divided into two levels: collection and processing. The target group of the Service includes public and private housing estates, schools, public institutions, and the Community Recycling Centres and Community Green Stations under the management of the EPD. The EPD will hire service providers through service contracts to collect waste plastics direct from the above-mentioned premises for further treatment, such as sorting, shredding, cleaning, and melting to produce a minimum quantity to be specified of recycled raw materials or products so that they can be exported or supplied to the local market to ensure proper handling of the collected waste plastics.

In order to establish suitable collection and operational mode, we are planning to roll out a 2-year Pilot Scheme to operate the trial Service in three different districts with a view to gaining practical experience before expanding the Service to the whole territory.

The purpose of this Survey is to gather information from the recycling industry on their interest in providing the Service. Interested organizations with relevant experience and knowledge are welcome to make submissions. The Survey is not and will not form part of any procurement or tender pre-qualification exercise. Those taking part in this survey exercise will not be given any advantage or preferential treatment in subsequent procurement or tender exercises.

Survey forms for the submission can be downloaded from the following website. The document can also be obtained by mail, fax or e-mail from the EPD office. All survey forms should be returned to the EPD by e-mail, or if necessary, by mail or fax, on or before the closing date below.

Site visit by the representatives of Urban Group was held at EcoPark on 25 May 2018. Information about the latest development of EcoPark was presented and visits to the WEEE.PARK was also arranged so as to familiarize with the operation process by using its advanced recycling technology.

Green features site visit by the representative of Education Bureau was held at EcoPark on 8 June 2018. Information about the latest development of EcoPark was presented and visits existing green features in EcoPark were also arranged.

Site visit by the EPD Summer Intern was held at EcoPark on 21 June 2018. Latest information about Environmental Department and EcoPark was presented. Visits to the recycling factories of tenant On Fat Lung Innovative Resources Limited and Champway Technology Limited were also arranged.

Producer Responsibility Scheme on Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment to be implemented on August 1
(Information extract from government's website)

The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) reminded the public that the Producer Responsibility Scheme on Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WPRS) will come into effect on August 1, 2018. The WPRS will cover air-conditioners, refrigerators, washing machines, televisions, computers, printers, scanners and monitors, which are collectively referred to as regulated electrical equipment (REE). The department also urged suppliers and sellers of REE to gear up for the implementation of the WPRS.

Starting August 1 this year, a consumer who purchases REE can ask the seller to arrange a free statutory removal service to dispose of an item of the same type. Under the arrangement, the designated collector by the seller will remove the waste equipment from a premises as requested by the consumer to a designated recycler for proper treatment. In addition, sellers will have to provide consumers with a recycling label in respect of each REE and a receipt showing the recycling levies, which serve to show that the purchased REE is distributed under the WPRS.

In addition to the free statutory removal service arranged by sellers with a purchase of new REE, members of the public, if necessary, can also call the EPD's recycling hotline 2676 8888 to arrange for collection service for abandoned REE provided by the operator of the Government's waste electrical and electronic equipment treatment and recycling facility, WEEE·PARK.

Furthermore, starting August 1 this year, a REE supplier must be registered with the EPD before distributing the above mentioned REE, while a REE seller must have a removal service plan endorsed by the EPD for selling REE. An EPD spokesman reminded members of the trade concerned who have not yet applied to the EPD to act as soon as possible to ensure compliance with the relevant legal requirements when the law comes into effect. They can call the EPD hotline 2310 0223 for enquiries about the applications.

To prepare for the implementation of the WPRS, the EPD and the trade have jointly launched trial schemes since late last year to facilitate the trade and stakeholders to get prepared and familiarise themselves with the relevant operation. The EPD has also organised briefings for members of the trade and has met with trade associations to explain in detail the operation of the WPRS. The EPD with assistance of its appointed service provider has arranged staff to conduct follow-up contacts and shop visits, during which they brief members of the trade about the statutory requirements, and provide the latter with information packages, application forms and promotional materials. It has also been providing assistance to the sellers in completing the application forms, and reminds them of the need to ensure compliance with the relevant legal requirements starting August 1 this year.

The control over the disposal, import and export of abandoned REE will come into effect on December 31, 2018. The EPD also urges those interested in obtaining the relevant licences to make applications as soon as possible.

Members of the public can visit the dedicated website weee.gov.hk for details of the WPRS.