Chief Executive John Lee stressed on Tuesday that the government's efforts to reduce waste and encourage recycling will not stop even though the waste-charging scheme has been shelved.

The administration has announced that it will not implement the scheme for the remainder of its current term, which ends in June 2027.

Speaking ahead of the weekly Executive Council meeting, Lee said the implementation of any policy requires comprehensive consideration, such as the degree of social acceptance of an issue.

He said society had not reached a consensus over the charging scheme.

"Our resolve to promote waste reduction and recycling measures remains unchanged," Lee said.

"Our goal remains unchanged, to achieve zero landfill by 2035.

"Waste charging is one of the tools to promote waste reduction and recycling, but it requires social consensus.

"We have carefully studied surveys and listened to the views of citizens, trades and industry. We understand a consensus has not been reached."

Lee said the public had become more aware of the need to reduce waste as the amount of rubbish being sent to landfills dropped by 5 percent in the first half of this year.

Average daily disposals of solid waste decreased by 7.5 percent from 2021 to 2024 while per capita disposal fell by about 8 percent, he added.

Recycling volume also increased by one third during the five-year period ending 2024, Lee said, attributing the improvement to the government's multi-pronged efforts.

Looking ahead, Lee said the administration would continue to promote waste reduction and recycling through various ways, such as strengthening education, as well as exploring and promoting practical and feasible environmental protection measures with industry.