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New trash cans with smaller openings on the way

The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) will be introducing new trash cans Monday, a statement on the government’s website said.

The new design includes smaller openings for trash and bigger warning notices on the containers telling the public not to discard refuse beside or on top of the bins and to dispose of bagged refuse properly at refuse collection points, it said.

The openings have shrunk from 370 millimeters x 190mm to 230mm x 150mm, the FEHD said.

Smaller openings mean the new trash cans will accept only small pieces of garbage, but not a typical plastic grocery bag of trash. Photos: i-Cable

Smaller openings mean the new trash cans will accept only small pieces of garbage, but not a typical plastic grocery bag of trash. Photos: i-Cable

The department will also introduce, later this year, 70-litre trash cans, with openings reduced in size from 290mm x 190mm to 205mm x 130mm.

An FEHD spokesman reminded the public that it is an offense to deposit waste beside or on top of the containers.

Offenders are liable on conviction to a maximum fine of HK$25,000 (US$3,218) and imprisonment for up to six months.

They may also face a HK$1,500 fine under the Fixed Penalty (Public Cleanliness Offences) Ordinance, the spokesman said.

However, some citizens are disappointed by the change, i-Cable reported.

Far from discouraging people from indiscriminately dumping garbage, the new design will encourage them to litter, they said.

The FEHD also said it is considering further reducing the number of litter containers placed on the streets in various districts later this year, as a similar move last year had a satisfactory result.

Chloe Chow contributed to this article.

http://www.ejinsight.com/20160607-new-trash-cans-with-smaller-openings-way/

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