- HONG KONG
Your Guide To Hong Kong’s New Waste Charging Scheme
How To Dispose Of Your Household Waste Starting August 2024
Starting in August 2024, the government will introduce a Municipal Solid Waste Charging Scheme (MSW) also known as the Waste Charging Scheme: following the “polluter-pays” principle, all waste generated by residential and non-residential premises, including commercial and industrial sectors, in Hong Kong will incur charges based on the amount of waste disposed of. All waste must be disposed of in designated bags or with designated labels. Instead, and to incur fewer fees, households and businesses are encouraged to recycle – the government is also upping its efforts to make recycling points more easily accessible to all.
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The Waste Charging Scheme
Where To Get Designated Bags, Charges & MoreStarting in February 2024, you will be able to buy designated bags and designated labels from more than thousands of authorised retail outlets including supermarkets, convenience stores like 7-11 and Circle K, pharmacies and online platforms including HKTVmall and foodpanda. You can then dispose of your waste in your regular designated rubbish collection area.
Different sizes of designated garbage bags will be available, ranging from 3L to 100L. The suggested charges for each bag size, which include both the cost of the garbage bags and the waste charges are:
- 3L: HK$0.33
- 5L: HK$0.55
- 10L: HK$1.1
- 15L: HK$1.65
- 20L: HK$2.2
- 35L: HK$3.85
- 50L: HK$5.5
- 75L: HK$8.25
- 100L: HK$11
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Enforcement Of The Waste Charging Scheme
Starting August 2024, Followed By A Grace PeriodImplementation of the Waste Charging Scheme will start in August 2024 and thereafter there will be a 6-month "grace" period where verbal warnings will be issued to offenders.
After that, enforcement measures will be adopted based on a risk-based approach, with special attention given to areas with a high incidence of violations. Offenders will be issued fixed penalty tickets amounting to $1,500 each. Additionally, serious and repeat offenders may face prosecution through summons. For more information click here.
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Disposal Of Waste Too Big For A Designated Bag
How To Dispose Of Furniture & Other Large ItemsIf you'd like to dispose of furniture or other large items that cannot fit into a designated bag, then it must be affixed with a designated label. You can obtain these from the same retail outlets as the designated bags. Each designated label is priced at $11 and can be obtained from authorized retail outlets.
For other frequently asked questions, click here.
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How To Save, & Save The Environment!
How & Where To Recycle In Hong KongThe best way to save money under the Waste Charging scheme is at the source! By throwing away less and recycling more, you can save money and of course, do your bit for the environment. The government is expanding its range and number of recycling facilities, increasing accessibility and convenience for all. Click here for your step-by-step guide to recycling in Hong Kong.
Also, this is a great time as ever to get the little ones involved, check out our guide here.
Where To Find It:
- Municipal Solid Waste Charging Scheme
- https://www.mswcharging.gov.hk/en/
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