The Environmental Protection Department on Thursday said it does not expect an upcoming food waste recycling pilot scheme covering street shops in Tsuen Wan to add to their workload.

The scheme, which is set to launch in September, will cover more than 100 street-level shops in sections of Chuen Long and Ho Pui streets, Yeung Uk Road and the whole stretch of San Tsuen Street.

Speaking on an RTHK radio show, senior environmental protection officer Mok Yee-ting said the area, which mainly sell fruit, vegetables, fish and meat, is being targeted because of its low recycling rate, recorded between November and January.

The current low rate is due to the existing public food waste collection point being located a few blocks away.

Under the six-month pilot scheme, the department will set up three more collection points – with two 120-litre-capacity bins functioning at each site – with a tentative operating time of between 9am and 9pm.

Mok expects the new measure would not add an undue burden on the shops because “their food waste is quite simple".

"So, as long as they separate the food waste properly, I believe their workload will not increase significantly when they do sorting and recycling,” she said.

To ensure operations remain hygienic and avoids odours from developing, contractors will also take the recycling bins away when they collect the waste.

The department will also step up efforts to raise awareness among store operators of the food waste recycling drive during the scheme, she said.

Mok added the department would review usage as well as collect stakeholders' views at the end of the pilot scheme period to come up with a sustainable and replicable operational model to help more street stores participate in recycling food waste.



Edited by Tony Sabine