Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) Disposal in 2021

In line with the "polluter-pays" principle, all waste disposed of by residential and non-residential premises (including commercial and industrial sectors) in Hong Kong will be subject to charging based on its quantity.

MSW charging covers the following waste:

However, construction waste, chemical waste and clinical waste are not subject to the MSW charging regime but are subject to their existing charging regimes.

• The need for waste reduction is becoming ever more imminent as our three existing landfills are expected to be filled up in the coming years.
• MSW charging is an effective policy tool to drive enterprises and the public to practice waste reduction and recycling, and at the same time facilitate the sustainable development of related industries and the creation of green job opportunities.
• To push for carbon emission reduction and combat climate change.

The bill of the Waste Disposal (Charging for Municipal Solid Waste) (Amendment) Ordinance 2021 (Amendment Ordinance) to implement MSW charging was passed by the Legislative Council (LegCo) on 26 August 2021. The preparatory period has begun. We are now actively taking forward relevant preparatory work to enable the Government, various stakeholders and the public to prepare for the implementation of MSW charging.

To complement the preparatory work of MSW charging, certain provisions of the Amendment Ordinance have come into operation on 1 September 2022, e.g. provisions relating to the selling price of designated bags and designated labels and establishing registration arrangements for "gate-fee", etc. Meanwhile, we also make notices on the following matters, including specifying the requirements on the designs, sizes, etc. for the designated bags and designated labels and the prescribed signs to be exhibited on different refuse collection vehicles, refuse collection points and specified bins, as well as the ways of exhibition. The EPD will explain the relevant details to different stakeholders through various channels such as briefings, so as to assist them to carry out the necessary preparation work.

We have consulted the Panel on Environmental Affairs of the LegCo and will implement MSW charging on 1 April 2024.

There are two charging modes, i.e. (i) charging by designated bags/ designated labels, and (ii) charging by weight through "gate-fee". The applicable charging mode depends on the waste collection services used by the waste producers.