South China Morning Post

Letters | Tap Hong Kong’s public markets as recycling

points under new Environment and Ecology Bureau

[1] The chief executive has proposed a merger of the Food and Environmental Hygiene
Department (FEHD) and the Environmental Protection Department (EPD). The future
Environment and Ecology Bureau will combine FEHD’s waste and cleansing operations
and EPD’s recycling operations under one authority. We fully support this plan.

[2] We would like to highlight an example of the opportunities this merger brings. The
FEHD operates 97 public markets located throughout all 18 districts. A HK$2 billion Market
Modernisation Programme is under way, starting with an overhaul of Aberdeen market. 

[3] The bene ts of using public markets as recycling points in the community recycling
network include convenience, cost effectiveness, infrastructure and space availability.

[4] Firstly, public markets are convenient locations for residents to drop off recyclables as
they are part of their daily shopping routine.

[5] Secondly, EPD has opened 11 recycling stations and 22 recycling stores. The average
monthly expense is HK$419,831 per store. A large portion is spent on rent. GREEN@Tin
Hau pays HK$130,000 per month for 1,000 sq ft, or HK$130 per sq ft. In contrast, rent at
public markets varies between HK$0.50 and HK$32 per sq ft. The rent at the Causeway
Bay Market, just down the street from Tin Hau, is only around HK$4.50 per sq ft.

[6] Thirdly, EPD’s recycling stores have come under criticism for occupying public space.
Residents place recyclables at the door when the store is closed, and the store places
outside bagged material awaiting transport. These commercial shops lack the facilities
commonly available at public markets: a loading bay, storage capacity and a parking area.
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South China Morning Post
[7] Finally, 80 out of the 97 markets have vacant space. The average occupancy rate of
public markets is 88 per cent and, for some, occupancy is as low as 40 per cent. Of these,
79 markets have at least 600 sq ft unused, which is EPD’s recommended size for a
GREEN store in its tender speci cation.

[8] In the 2019 policy address, the government announced a “single site, multiple use”
model for greater ef ciency in land use for public buildings. It would be good to see the
same policy applied to FEHD’s public markets and EPD’s recycling stores.

[9] When we approached FEHD, it responded that the provision of a recycling store is
currently out of their scope of services for public markets. The merger of FEHD and EPD is
a good opportunity for a rethink.

[10] During the public consultation on a future producer responsibility scheme for plastic
beverage containers, EPD asked retailers to take responsibility for collecting recyclable
packaging. The government can set an example by including a recycling store in each
public market. This would expand the community recycling network fourfold at a fraction of
the cost, and offer convenience to nearby residents.

[11] Aberdeen market is good place to start.

Paul Zimmerman, chairman, Drink Without Waste

Source:
https://www.scmp.com/comment/letters/article/3163690/tap-hong-kongs-public-markets-
recycling-points-under-new
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