Tuesday, January 21, 2014
Garbage-charging scheme has inadequate technical support
By Cheung Yik
Bernard Charnwut Chan, Chairman of the Council for Sustainable Development, commented on the garbage-charging scheme, “Although gaining general support, there were still many unsolved technical problems and inadequate supporting facilities for launching.”
In the almost-end four months public consultation, around 60-70% people agreed to take up the responsibility of reducing waste. He said, environmental groups, scholar and major political parties have also been supportive for the charging scheme.
But, it will lead to certain extent of disturbance to the whole city; thus, feasibility should be ensured before implementation, Chan claimed.
Taiwan and Korea have set a successful model for launching similar policy. Chan thought it would be a good reference. Yet, there are inadequate supporting facilities and many unsolved technical problems, which make it impossible to follow them exactly the same.
In order to ensure the success of implementation in 2016, he then urged for financial and technical support from the government. For example, government can subsidize the downgrading recycle business in Hong Kong.
“After all, reducing source of waste is the most important,” said Chan. “It was time for people to change their attitude of lifestyle”.
