飲品玻璃樽徵費？邁向更完善的廢物管理制度



根據統計，香港每天棄置的9000公噸都市固體廢物中，有2%，亦即153公噸為廢飲品玻璃樽。為減輕堆填區的負擔，立法規管廢玻璃樽實屬刻不容緩。

查看鄰近國家的案例，如日本、韓國、和台灣等，大多從90年代已經開始推行廢玻璃樽徵費計劃，玻璃樽製造商會向一個基金支付循環再造費，用以處理廢玻璃樽。

 

香港環保署已就是項議題在今年初展開咨詢，而立法會的環境事務委員會亦就此召開會議，搜集各有關團體界別對此的意見及商討是次計劃的可行、可能性，和對業界，如回收業及餐飲業帶來的正面及負面影響。初步來說，是次議題大致上獲得大部分持分團體的支持，但咨詢仍在進行中（至2013年5月6日），而且雖說計劃初部反應不俗，得到支持，但當中具體細節仍有很大的爭議性。

各持分者亦有不同立場及意見，如回收玻璃樽的種類、回收承辦商的數量、實際徵費價、是該由誰來分擔徵費、回收玻璃的用途、以及是否應實行堆填區禁令等，都有很大的討論空間。我們需要制定一個妥善的計劃以及相應的配套設備去支持及協助徵費計劃順利推行，一方面要去維持各持分者的平衡，另一方面亦要顧及可回收玻璃樽的去向，確保玻璃樽能有效地回用。

雖說現時市民大眾對於減少制造廢物的意識已經續漸増強，但是教育市民仍是一個十分有迫切性的任務。

 
 

咨詢期將在2013年5月6日結束，有關具體詳情，請瀏覽環保署網頁︰http://www.epd.gov.hk/epd/bottles_consult/tc/promotion/

你亦可按此下載回應表格，電郵至環保署︰glass_prs@epd.gov.hk

Hong Kong says YES to waste charging scheme

Establishing a proper waste management system has always been a challenging task for the Hong Kong government to implement. Back in 1995, the government has proposed to introduce a waste charging scheme to provide a financial incentive for the public to reduce waste generation. However, this proposal has been staying in the research and discussion stage until Jan 2012, when the Environment Bureau has launched the public consultation on the introduction of waste charging to reduce the generation of municipal solid waste.

Four suggested approaches have been included In the consultation document, including quantity-based system, proxy system, fixed charge system, and partial charging system. The result of the consultation revealed that over 60% of written comments received support waste charging scheme and over 50% is in favour of the quantity-based system. In Dec 2012, the government has outlined the initial framework of the waste charging scheme. The preliminary proposal goes in line with what the majority in favour of: quantity-based system to be established in 2016.

Yet, details including charging standards and methods have not yet been confirmed. Using the case of Taipei as a reference, it is predicted approximately HK$40 will be charged monthly for a family of three. However, with the effort of source reduction and recycling, the cost can be reduced to $30/month.

MSW collection services in Hong Kong are delivered with an emphasis on efficiency and high hygiene standards. Our waste collection system and network have not been operated in a way that can facilitate the collection of a quantity-based waste charge; neither does it facilitate waste tracing. In the event that the implementation of charging is unsatisfactory, illegal dumping might arise and could have an impact on environmental hygiene.

When Taipei first launched the waste charging scheme, its adherence rate was over 99.5% and illegal dumping still existed. Once establishing the waste charging scheme, fewer garbage bills will be placed on the public areas and increasing illegal dumping is expected. The second phase of consultation will be launched in the near future to address the consequences of waste charging scheme and to identify possible solutions to avoid illegal dumping.

In fact, there has been voices pointing out there are excessive quantity of garbage bins in Hong Kong. In one way, it provides a convenient way for our citizens but also spoiling them. In some urban districts, the ratio of garbage bin to recycling bin is 1:20. To tackle the root factor, it is suggested that more recycling bins and fewer garbage bins should be placed along the public areas to help the Hong Kong citizens to develop a good recycling habit.

廢物徵費獲接納

建立一個完善妥當的廢物管理系統一直是香港政府需要實施的一項艱鉅任務。早在1995年，政府已經提出引入廢物徵費計劃，鼓勵市民減少製造廢物。可惜，這項提議一直停留在研究和討論的階段，直到2012年1月，環境局才再次就減少都市固體廢物及相關廢物徵費展開公眾諮詢。

是次諮詢文件中包含四個建議的徵費方案，包括按量、定額、按水費及分階段實施。諮詢結果顯示，超過60％的書面意見表示讚成廢物處置收費，而超過50％則認為應該按量收費為基礎。2012年12月，政府已就廢物收費計劃勾劃出初步框架。初步的建議與諮詢結果相符，於2016年以按量收費為基礎推行廢物處置收費計畫。

然而，詳細資料如收費的標準和方法都未有定案。以台北作為參考，政府預計一個一家三口的家庭每月約要付40港元的廢物處置費用。而透過源頭減量和分類回收，這個費用很有可能可降低至30元。

香港的垃圾收集及處理服務一向都擁有高效率和高衛生標準。可是，我們的廢物處理系統及手法卻還未能配合按量收費的基準集，也不方能追踪廢物的源頭。在不理想或遇到不配合的情況下，非法棄置廢物便會發生，影響附近環境的衛生。

台北於剛剛推出廢物收費計劃時，服從率雖然高達99.5％，可惜非法棄置的問題仍然存在。當實施廢物徵費計劃後，街上將會減少放置垃圾箱，所以預計有可能會增加非法棄置廢物的問題。第二階段的諮詢即將展開，尋求社會大眾對有關廢物徵費所帶來的後果的意見及共識，並定立解決方案，有效地打擊非法棄置的問題。

事實上，社會上亦有意見指出，香港政府在街頭放置過多垃圾箱。某程度上雖方便了市民，卻也寵壞了他們。一些地區的垃圾桶及回收箱比例更高達1:20。要有效地解決廢物的根本問題，建議應在公共場所放置更多的回收箱，同時減少的垃圾箱的數量，以幫助市民大眾養成一個良好的回收習慣，妥善地處理廢物。