'Recycling surged even after waste scheme was shelved'
'Recycling surged even after waste scheme was shelved'
Tse Chin-wan said there's been unprecedented changes in behaviour towards recycling, despite the shelving of the waste charging scheme last year. Photo: RTHK
Environment chief Tse Chin-wan on Wednesday said the public have become more aware of the importance of recycling since the shelving of a planned "pay-as-you-throw" system last year.
On RTHK's Overview Policy programme, the minister said while many people agreed the policy should not be introduced at that time, the "controversy and discussions" did lead to big changes in behaviour.
"We see that our recyclables in our community recycling network doubled within a short period of time, and the food waste collected even jumped eight-fold," he said.
"We also see that this trend is still continuing."
Tse added that the amount of waste dumped in landfills has dropped 7.5 percent since John Lee became chief executive.
The secretary also said there has been rapid growth in the number of electric vehicles in Hong Kong, with the current 110,000 cars almost eight times the amount five years ago.
He said around four in five new cars purchased in Hong Kong are now electric.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
RTHK
4 hours ago
- RTHK
HK's financial centre position strengthening: FS
HK's financial centre position strengthening: FS Paul Chan said the SAR's economy has demonstrated strong resilience, achieving nine consecutive quarters of GDP growth. File photo: RTHK Financial Secretary Paul Chan says Hong Kong's position as an international financial centre is strengthening, citing increased trading volumes and its leading global IPO market. Writing in his weekly blog on Sunday, Chan said the SAR's economy has demonstrated strong resilience, achieving nine consecutive quarters of GDP growth and surpassing HK$3 trillion. He said the stock market regained an upward trajectory over the past year, marked by significant increases in trading volume, with the average daily turnover now exceeding HK$240 billion. Chan noted that since Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing added chapter 18A to its main board listings rules – enabling listings for biotech companies without revenue or profits – the number of such companies has risen significantly. "Since the implementation of the '18A' reform in 2018, the number of newly listed companies in the new economy and biotechnology sectors has risen to about 370, accounting for approximately 14 percent of all listed companies, with a market capitalisation share exceeding 27 percent and trading volume share surpassing 30 percent," he said. "The '18C' reform introduced in 2023, along with the recent proposal for a 'Technology Enterprises Channel' and the facilitation of the return of China concept stocks listed in the United States, reflects our ongoing assessment of circumstances and commitment to reform, continually enhancing the attractiveness and competitiveness of the stock market." Turning to innovation, the finance chief reported significant investment in research and development (R&D) and growth in start-ups, expressing expectations for Hong Kong to become a top cross-border wealth management hub. "Innovation and technology is another important engine for Hong Kong's economic development. Local R&D expenditure approached HK$33 billion in 2023, rising 10 percent year-on-year. The number of local start-ups reached a record high of about 4,700 by the end of last year," he said. "Science Park and Cyberport, as flagship innovation and technology hubs, have nurtured and supported 22 listed companies and 20 unicorns, with their start-ups holding over 700 intellectual property rights." Chan also said he will lead a delegation of about 30 start-up representatives to the World Economic Forum's Annual Meeting of the New Champions in Tianjin. He said the goal is to introduce Hong Kong's examples in innovative technology R&D and application to international investors and innovation leaders.
RTHK
5 hours ago
- RTHK
Landlords urged to register basic housing units early
Landlords urged to register basic housing units early Housing Secretary Winnie Ho has called for the early registration of basic housing units. File photo: RTHK Secretary for Housing Winnie Ho has urged subdivided flat landlords to register their properties as basic housing units as soon as possible. Her call came after the government gazetted the Basic Housing Units Bill, which will be introduced into the Legislative Council for its first and second readings next month. From as early as March, landlords will have a year to register followed by a three-year grace period to renovate their flats to meet government requirements, which include a minimum size of eight square metres. Speaking on a Commercial Radio programme on Sunday, Ho said the government would reduce or waive a HK$3,000 accreditation fee for owners who register and complete any renovations early. 'Landlords who register early will enjoy the grace period and an exemption of the accreditation fee. We have designed a fair system, so landlords don't need to hesitate.' Ho said in four years she expected to see around 80,000 basic housing units meeting government requirements. She also said she thought the rent for these units would not rise that much as there would be more public housing supply in future.
RTHK
a day ago
- RTHK
HK to take new leap with security and development: CE
HK to take new leap with security and development: CE John Lee says the SAR government will seize new opportunites while safeguarding national security, and spare no effort in developing the economy. Photo: RTHK Chief Executive John Lee on Saturday said Hong Kong would take a 'new leap forward' by fulfilling its constitutional responsibility to safeguard national security while seizing new opportunities by leveraging on its strong internal connections with the mainland, as well as its ties to the international community. Speaking at a national security forum, Lee said the 'colour revolution' of 2019 had brought great harm to the city, but the implementation of the National Security Law five years ago had successfully restored order. It is this return to stability, and then prosperity, he said, that has enabled the SAR to claim top position as the world's freest economy, and count itself among the globe's most competitive and safest cities. The Chief Executive said the territory must firmly safeguard national security as it strives for high-quality development. 'With security, there's stability and stability promotes development. So we must continue to safeguard national security. 'At the same time we must seize upon the opportunities presented by our stability, and we must spare no effort in developing the economy and improving people's livelihood,' Lee said. 'We must cherish what we have and grasp development opportunities. We now enjoy stability and it's hard to come by,' he added. Lee said the SAR will continue fulfilling its role as a 'super connector' and 'super value adder', and work to attract more mainland and foreign enterprises to invest in the city. 'We will enhance our traditional advantages. We must focus on making breakthroughs and be innovative,' Lee said. 'We must further consolidate Hong Kong's status as an international financial, trade and shipping centre.' Lee also said the government will also 'make bold moves' to get rid of outdated policies, while it moves to expedite the development of the Northern Metropolis and the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park. The Chief Executive warned that while the international landscape is fluid and complex, with geopolitical risks increasing, Hong Kong will continue its development and reform under One Country, Two Systems, and the protection afforded by the National Security Law and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance.
