Hong Kong's Plastic Recycling Efforts: An Overview

Hong Kong is among the world's highest per capita plastic consumers, with people throwing out tens of thousands of tonnes of plastic every year. In 2022, Hong Kong generated 5.97 million tonnes of municipal solid waste (MSW), with more than 4 million tonnes (almost 70%) ending up in two landfills. Only a small percentage of the plastic waste collected is recycled, with Hong Kong heavily relying on shipping recyclable waste to China. In 2018, China banned the importation of many recyclable materials, which has led to a decline in the recycling of plastic waste in Hong Kong.

Hong Kong's plastic waste is predominantly sent to landfills

Hong Kong's plastic waste problem is a significant issue, with the city producing approximately 2,320 tonnes of plastic waste daily. This waste primarily ends up in landfills, contributing to the rapid filling of these sites. Hong Kong currently operates three landfills: the West, South East, and North East New Territories landfills. The city's landfills are expected to reach capacity by the 2030s, yet the amount of waste sent to them continues to increase. From 2017 to 2018, the average daily waste sent to landfills rose by 3.7%, and this trend has continued in subsequent years.

The predominant method of waste disposal in Hong Kong is landfilling, with plastic waste making up a significant portion of this. In 2018, plastic waste accounted for 21% of the total municipal solid waste sent to landfills, with 139 tonnes of plastic bottles alone being discarded daily. This issue is exacerbated by the low recycling rate in Hong Kong, which has been attributed to a variety of factors. One reason is the limited number of recycling centres in the city, leading to a reliance on shipping recyclable waste to China. However, in 2018, China introduced the National Sword Policy, banning 24 categories of solid waste, including plastics, from entering the country. As a result, only 7% of the plastic collected in Hong Kong was recycled, with the rest destined for landfills, incineration, or the ocean.

The low value of plastics in Hong Kong is another contributing factor to the low recycling rate. The price of recycled plastics has been declining since 2018, reducing the financial incentive for recyclers to collect and process plastic waste. Additionally, there is a lack of "plastic literacy" among Hongkongers, with many unsure of which types of plastics can be recycled and how to properly clean and sort them for recycling. This has resulted in recyclable plastics not being collected properly and ending up in landfills instead.

The Hong Kong government has implemented initiatives to address the plastic waste problem, including increasing the plastic bag levy and working towards restricting the production and sale of single-use plastic items. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the government also introduced subsidy schemes for recycling facilities to support their operational costs. However, despite these efforts, Hong Kong's landfills continue to fill at an alarming rate, and plastic waste remains a significant issue for the city.

The city's plastic recycling rate is low

Hong Kong is among the world's highest per capita plastic consumers. People in the city throw out tens of thousands of tonnes of plastic every year, with plastic waste being the second-largest contributor, generating 2,369 tonnes per day. However, the city's plastic recycling rate is low, with only about 12.3% of plastic waste recovered for recycling.

There are several reasons for the low recycling rate. Firstly, Hong Kong has a limited number of recycling centres, and most of the facilities are small and rely on manual sorting. The city lacks the typical material recovery facilities (MRFs) found in other developed countries, which can handle mixed recycling. As a result, plastics that are mixed with generic waste, contaminated, or wrapped in plastic bags often end up in landfills.

Another factor contributing to the low recycling rate is the decline in the price of recycled plastics since 2018. The low value of plastics in Hong Kong means that there is little financial incentive for recyclers to collect and process plastic waste. Additionally, the ban on importing many recyclable materials to China, which was previously the main destination for Hong Kong's recyclable waste, has also impacted the local recycling industry.

The low recycling rate has significant environmental consequences. Plastic waste takes decades or even centuries to decompose fully and emits toxic pollutants. It ends up in landfills, the ocean, and incineration, contributing to the plastic pollution crisis. Hong Kong's government has introduced subsidy schemes for recycling facilities and a waste-charging scheme to address these issues, but the implementation of effective recycling measures and financial incentives for recyclers is crucial to improving the city's plastic recycling rate.

Plastic recycling can be harmful to health

In Hong Kong, plastic waste is a significant issue. Approximately 2,320 tonnes of plastic waste is produced daily, with plastic accounting for about 80% of the city's marine litter. While recycling is often touted as the solution to this problem, it's important to recognise that plastic recycling can have harmful effects on human health.

Firstly, the recycling process itself can release toxic chemicals. When plastic is melted down, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are released into the air, contributing to air pollution and posing risks to those living or working nearby. These toxins can lead to respiratory issues, asthma, and even more severe illnesses such as cancer. Additionally, recycled plastic often ends up containing higher concentrations of toxic chemicals, which can be harmful to both humans and the environment. These chemicals, including flame retardants, benzene, and other carcinogens, can leach into food and beverages, posing a risk to anyone consuming them.

Secondly, the plastic recycling process is not always properly regulated. In Hong Kong, it was discovered that two-thirds of housing estates surveyed had sent plastic bottles collected in recycling bins to landfills. This is often due to the low value of plastics, which makes it unprofitable for recyclers to collect and process this waste. As a result, even when people make an effort to recycle plastics, they may still end up in landfills or, even worse, the ocean, where they continue to degrade the environment and harm marine life.

Furthermore, the production and disposal of plastics are closely linked to climate change. The extraction of oil and gas, the primary feedstocks for plastic production, contributes to greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, the disposal of plastic waste through burning or open incineration further exacerbates these emissions. The accumulation of plastic waste in landfills and the natural environment also contributes to long-term environmental degradation, as plastics can take decades or even centuries to fully decompose.

Lastly, the plastic crisis is a multigenerational issue. The plastic produced today will continue to exist for centuries, impacting not only our generation but also future ones. This crisis demands urgent action from governments and societies to reduce plastic consumption, improve recycling regulations, and develop sustainable alternatives to traditional plastics.

Hong Kong's recycling infrastructure is inadequate

The lack of efficient recycling infrastructure in Hong Kong is a major contributing factor to the plastic crisis. The city produces approximately 2,320 tonnes of plastic waste daily, and unsustainable packaging habits and low public awareness of the dangers of plastic pollution exacerbate the problem. The government has implemented interventions such as the Plastic Recycling Pilot Scheme, which led to a 27% increase in locally recycled plastics in 2020. However, the overall recycling pace lags behind that of Europe and the US, and more interventions are needed to address the growing landfills that contaminate the soil.

The value of plastics has declined since 2018, further disincentivizing recycling. Collectors have struggled with the low prices, and the price of recycled plastics continues to fall. The COVID-19 pandemic also impacted the recycling industry, with recycling facilities requiring financial support from the government to cover rent and operational costs. Additionally, the pandemic led to an increase in local waste due to the use of food takeout boxes, plastic cutlery, and single-use masks, putting more strain on the already overburdened landfills.

The accumulation of waste is not limited to landfills. Hong Kong's housing estates have also faced issues with waste management, as nearly two-thirds of those surveyed sent plastic bottles collected in recycling bins to landfills. Cleaners at these estates reported that recyclables were often not picked up for months, leading to plastic waste being abandoned or sent to municipal waste management. The city's limited number of recycling centers and lack of capacity to handle the growing waste highlight the inadequacies of its recycling infrastructure.

To address the plastic waste crisis, Hong Kong needs to develop more recycling plants and implement stronger reforms for waste management. Reducing plastic consumption and increasing public awareness of the issue are also crucial. The government must take urgent action to improve the recycling infrastructure and incentivize the collection and recycling of plastic waste to protect the environment and the health of its residents.

The government has introduced subsidies for recycling facilities

The Hong Kong government has recognised the importance of sustainable development in the local recycling industry and has implemented a series of initiatives to support the industry. The government has also acknowledged the need to reduce and recycle waste, given the large population and rapidly filling disposal facilities in Hong Kong.

One of the key initiatives is the introduction of subsidies for recycling facilities. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the government adopted two subsidy schemes for recycling facilities financed by its recycling fund. The first is the One-off Rental Support Scheme (ORSS), which assists recycling facilities by covering 50% of their rent or up to HKD$25,000. This scheme aims to provide financial relief to recycling facilities struggling with operational costs. The second scheme is the One-off Recycling Industry Anti-epidemic Scheme (ORIAS), which provides additional support by offering HKD$20,000 every month to help cover operational costs. These schemes have provided over HKD$90 million to recyclers, demonstrating the government's commitment to supporting the recycling industry.

The government has also implemented other initiatives to improve the recycling process and increase the quantity of recyclables. This includes promoting source separation of waste, developing the EcoPark to provide affordable long-term land for recyclers, and providing dedicated short-term tenancy sites for recyclers' operations. The government has also introduced initiatives like the GREEN@COMMUNITY programme, which encourages the public to recycle by offering incentives and making recycling more accessible, especially in areas with limited waste recovery facilities.

Furthermore, the government has been actively consulting with the industry to improve waste management, waste reduction, and recycling through various channels like meetings, seminars, and briefing sessions. They have also been working with organisations like the Occupational Safety and Health Council (OSHC) and the Hong Kong Quality Assurance Agency (HKQAA) to improve industry standards and provide training on handling recyclables. These initiatives show the government's commitment to supporting the recycling industry and promoting sustainable practices in Hong Kong.

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