The government is planning to expand the "Producer Responsibility Scheme (PRS)" to include manufacturers, importers, wholesalers, retailers, and consumers in the shared responsibility of collecting, recovering, treating, and disposing of end-of-life products. The aim is to introduce this scheme no earlier than 2026. Initial recycling targets of 30% for plastic bottles and 10% for paper containers have been established, and these targets will be gradually adjusted and increased based on actual recycling rates.
Secretary for the Environment and Ecology, Tse Chin-wan, stated that the program follows a market-driven approach, believed to offer industry flexibility and reduce recycling costs.
Tse mentioned in a radio program that Hong Kong disposes of around 7 million plastic bottles daily. He noted that the first phase aims to recycle 30% of plastic bottles and 10% of paper-packaged beverage containers. He believes this initial target is relatively lenient, allowing flexibility for the industry and facilitating the implementation of the program. The ultimate goal is to raise the level of recycling to match global standards within 6 to 8 years.
Tse also mentioned that manufacturers can engage recyclers to assist in recycling, but they are ultimately responsible if the recovery rate fails to meet the requirements. The administration is currently in discussions with the industry regarding penalties and believes that fines should be higher than the recycling costs to have a deterrent effect.
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