The management of solid waste is a complex and evolving process in Hong Kong. Here you can learn about municipal solid waste, where we dispose of it, how landfills are being reused, and other ways in which waste is being managed.

There are three sources of municipal solid waste in Hong Kong:

• Domestic solid waste, which comes from households and public areas, including waste collected from residential buildings, litter bins, streets, marine areas and country parks.
• Commercial solid waste, which comes from shops, restaurants, hotels, offices and markets in private housing estates.
• Industrial solid waste, which is generated by all industries, but does not include construction and demolition waste, chemical waste or other special waste.

The amount of municipal solid waste generated each year in Hong Kong is enormous, given that the city houses almost 7 million people and is a regional centre of commerce. In 2007 alone, 6.25 million tonnes were generated, of which 45% was recycled and the rest went to landfills.

• More on where our waste comes from
  http://www.epd.gov.hk/epd/msw/htm_en/ch02/main.htm#Where

More than half of all municipal solid waste in Hong Kong is disposed of in the following landfills:

• West New Territories Landfill at Tuen Mun
• North East New Territories Landfill at Ta Kwu Ling
• South East New Territories Landfill at Tseung Kwan O

However, these sites will be completely filled by the mid 2010s if the level of waste continues to grow at the current levels. To help ease this problem, the Environmental Protection Department has placed a high priority on promoting waste reduction and recycling. But much of the waste that cannot be recycled still requires disposal, and the Government is planning waste management facilities that will reduce the size of bulk waste and recover some resources that are currently ignored. Other actions include examining possible extensions of the existing landfills and identifying sites for new landfills.

• Locations and features of existing landfills
  http://www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/environmentinhk/waste/prob_solutions/msw_strategic.html

There are 13 closed landfills in Hong Kong. A restoration programme has been implemented to minimise their potential impacts to the environment and to enable their development for future recreational use.

Opened in 1999, the golf driving range on the former Shuen Wan Landfill at Ting Kok Road in Tai Po is the first recreational facility provided at a restored landfill. The driving range provides:

• 145 driving bays
• One Par 3 hole
• Sand bunkers
• Putting green
• Pro Shop
• Car park
• Changing rooms

The site of the former Sai Tso Wan Landfill was converted into a recreation ground that opened in 2004. The recreation ground offers:

• Multi-purpose grass pitch for baseball or football
• Baseball batting cages
• Environmental gallery
• Children's playground
• Jogging track
• Changing rooms
• Car park

A major feature is that recycled materials were used in the recreation ground.

• More on the landfill restoration
  http://www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/environmentinhk/waste/prob_solutions/msw_racl.html
• More on the Tai Po Shuen Wan Temporary Golf Driving Range
  http://www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/environmentinhk/waste/prob_solutions/msw_raclgolfdriv.html
• More on the Sai Tso Wan Recreation Ground
  http://www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/environmentinhk/waste/prob_solutions/stwr_ground.html

Although 45% of municipal solid waste is recycled in Hong Kong, much more needs to be done. The Government's primary objective is to reduce waste production and promote increased recycling. Environmental programmes for different sectors of society have been designed to change habits, especially in separating municipal solid waste at the source and in recycling. Producer responsibility schemes have also been put in place, under which everyone who produces waste pays the cost of its collection, recycling and proper disposal. The Government is also developing an EcoPark, in which long term land is provided for establishment of recycling industries and environmentally friendly product manufacturing enterprises. The objective of these measures is to build a future with less needless waste disposal.

• More on other solutions
  http://www.epd.gov.hk/epd/msw/htm_en/ch05/main.htm#Setting
• More on waste recycling
  http://www.gov.hk/en/residents/environment/waste/wasteredrecyc.htm