date: Tue, Dec 15, 2015 at 2:46 PM
subject: Fw: E(15/3607) per capita MSW to landfills
Dear Ronald,
Thank you for clarifying what we though was the situation, anyway
The current ENB/EPD method of announcing waste per capita stats is (deliberately ?) flawed
They seemingly divide the total MSW by 7.24 million which is the population of Hong Kong in 2014 to produce the alleged per capita waste per day figure of 1.35 kgs
However this method ignores the waste generated by 61 million tourists (Q1) the cruise and container / other OGV ships (Q2) and at least the transit/transfer pax passing through Chep Lap Kok and adjacent ferry terminal
Adding these additional numbers to divide into the total MSW would obviously reduce the 1.35 kgs per capita per day alleged by ENB/EPD.
Given that there is no source separation of waste legislation, a vast amount of local MSW is tainted by food waste which comprises 3600 tonnes per day.
This ultra wet taint of course prevents the recycling of materials once tainted by that food waste .
The per capita waste numbers would be far different if the food waste were separated allowing recyclables’ collection. Sadly the Government does not collect recyclables outside of housing estates
yet proposes in future to charge for waste collection under a polluter pays system, when the basics are not in place for separation and recycling in the first place.
And this is ‘Policy’ ?
Kind regards,
James Middleton
Chairman
www.cleartheair.org.hk
Sent: 15 December, 2015 01:58 PM
Subject: Re: Fw: E(15/3607) per capita MSW to landfills
Dear Mr. Middleton,
Thank you for your interest in the coverage of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) in Hong Kong.
At present, this Department compiles statistics on disposal of solid wastes at landfills based on weighbridge data and other relevant information recorded at entrances of landfills. The MSW are classified into three categories, namely, domestic, commercial and industrial wastes. Please refer to Appendix 1 of the report on ‘Monitoring of Solid Waste in Hong Kong’ at the link provided below for more details. Statistics on various categories of solid wastes disposed of at landfills are shown in Plate 2.1 of the report.
https://www.wastereduction.gov.hk/en/assistancewizard/waste_red_sat.htm
On the specific questions you raised, our consolidated reply is given below.
Q1. Why is no allowance apparently made for the 61 million visitors who would contribute to the daily said MSW disposal rates to landfill here ?
Q2. What about the MSW taken off visiting container ships and other Ocean Going Vessels berthing here?
Q3. What consideration is given to MSW deposited / food waste from transit passengers at Chep Lap Kok ?
A1-3: Statistics on wastes generated locally out of economic activities including local consumption by those visitors mentioned in your above questions will be captured when the wastes generated by them are collected and transported to local landfills for disposal. These wastes will be recorded as part of the commercial waste received at landfills and be captured in our solid waste disposal statistics.
Yours faithfully,
Ronald Mak,
Statistician
Environmental Protection Department
Sent: 09/12/2015 12:32
Subject: E(15/3607) per capita MSW to landfills
Dear Sir,
We have seen in the press that Hong Kong per capita MSW to landfills is 1.35 kgs per capita in 2014
Why is no allowance apparently made for the 61 million visitors who would contribute to the daily said MSW disposal rates to landfill here ?
What about the MSW taken off visiting container ships and other Ocean Going Vessels berthing here?
What consideration is given to MSW deposited / food waste from transit passengers at Chep Lap Kok ?
Kind Regards,
James Middleton
Chairman
www.cleartheair.org.hk
http://www.tourism.gov.hk/english/statistics/statistics_perform.html
Overnight arrivals 27 770 459
Same-day arrivals 33 068 377
Average hotel occupancy rate 90%
Average length of stay of overnight visitors 3.3 nights ( ie is that 4 days?)
Overnight arrivals 27, 770, 459 x 3.3 = 91,642,514 equiv days
Same-day arrivals = 33, 068, 377 days
