Hong Kong’s Environmental Protection Department has granted contracts to four companies that will supply designated bags for rubbish disposal as part of an upcoming government scheme that will see residents charged for waste.
The four contractors are Chun Hing Plastic Packaging Manufactory Limited, Enviro-Sense GreenTech Co. Limited, Liveability Limited and Nicole Universal Company Limited, the EPD said in a press release on Tuesday. The contractors are expected to commence production in October.
Under the new waste charging scheme, which will come into force next April, Hongkongers have to purchase designated bags in which to dispose their rubbish or face a HK$1,500 fine. The scheme’s intention is to encourage people to reduce waste.
The awarding of the contracts came after the department failed to find suitable companies during an earlier bidding process, when the contractors that submitted applications set prices that the government said were “much higher than expected,” according to the press release. The EPD then made changes to their call for applications, including modifying the requirements for the designated bags and allowing production to be outside of Hong Kong.
The EPD added that to ensure the production quality of the designated bags, each contractor would be required to conduct quality testing at an independent accredited laboratory. The department will also carry out random sampling on the designated bags.
The Legislative Council will discuss the implementation of the new scheme in October, after the legislature concludes its summer recess.
According to the government, the need for waste reduction is imminent as the city’s landfills are expected to reach capacity in the coming years. The scheme can also help reduce carbon emissions reduction and combat climate change, authorities said.
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