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Having considered the outcome of the Demonstration Scheme for Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) charging and public views, the Government announced the suspension of MSW charging on 27 May 2024. However, the determination of the Government to put forth reduction of MSW has not wavered. We have first begun to step up the promotion of waste reduction and recycling by expanding recycling facilities and strengthening public education. Relevant initiatives include: -

• the expansion of food waste recycling network;
• the extension of operating hours of GREEN@COMMUNITY recycling facilities, increasing the number of GREEN@COMMUNITY collection points, installing additional recycling facilities in suitable refuse collection points, and studying the feasibility of electronic GREEN$ being exchanged into consumption vouchers;
• the launching of the "Waste Reduction and Recycling Charter" (the Charter) to encourage the provision of recycling facilities within private residential premises and properly handing over recyclables to recyclers for processing;
• starting from 1 June 2024, the provision of free designated bags for a period of six months to all residents of public housing estates and private residential premises signing the Charter by 30 November 2024 to educate and encourage the public to learn waste reduction, source separation and recycling; and
• the mobilisation of the Green Outreach and GREEN@COMMUNITY operators to continue to educate and encourage citizens to practice waste reduction and separation in the community, etc.

For more information on the above measures and other resources about waste reduction and recycling, please visit the Hong Kong Waste Reduction website.

We are conducting in-depth research on how to enhance the MSW charging scheme. The key review directions include the exemption of frontline staff from legal liability, easing frontline work difficulties, whether bulky waste disposal should be covered, reducing the financial burden on some sectors and individuals, improvements on the design and use of designated bags, as well as the implementation of MSW charging by phase etc. We aim at making it easy for the citizens to adapt and accept as well as facilitating the operation by stakeholders.

We will report and listen to the views of the Panel on Environmental Affairs of the Legislative Council in mid-2025.

(The content retained on this website is based on the prevailing MSW charging scheme being suspended. The information will be updated in due course upon the completion of the review on the scheme.)