Waste management in Hong Kong: Difference between revisions

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In the densely populated Hong Kong, waste is a complex issue.^[1] The territory generates around 6.4 million tons of waste each year^[2] but is able to collect and process only a minimal portion of recyclable waste.^[3] By 2019, its existing landfills are expected to be full.^[4] The government has introduced waste management schemes and is working to educate the public on the subject. On the commercial side, producers are taking up measures to reduce waste.

Statistics

Hong Kong EPD (Environmental Protection Department) provides data and statistics about waste management.^[5]

Waste management process

In Hong Kong, wastes generated can be categorised as municipal solid waste, construction and demolition waste, chemical waste and other special waste, including: clinical waste, animal carcasses, livestock waste, radioactive waste, grease trap waste and waterworks/sewage sludges. According to a 2016 report from Waste Atlas, waste generation in Hong Kong is around 6.4 million tonnes per year or 900 kg/cap/year.^[6]

Wastes in Hong Kong are first collected from disposal bins to refuse transfer stations (RTS). After they are compacted and put in containers, they are delivered to disposal lands or recycling centers.

There are hundreds of collectors in the territory where wastes are located before transferring to refuse transfer stations.^[7] There are seven refuse transfer stations in the territory. They serve as centralised collection points for the transfer of waste to the strategic landfills.^[8]

Landfills

Operated by the EPD,^{[clarification needed]} the landfill sites only accept garbage from Hong Kong. Thirteen of 16 landfills were closed from 1988 to 1996. Starting from 6 January 2016, the South East New Territories Landfill (SENT) will only receive construction waste.^{[needs update]} Hong Kong has three strategic landfills in use. All are located in the New Territories:^[9]^[10]^[11]

Landfill	Location	Area (ha)	Opened	Capacity	Status
West New Territories Landfill (WENT)	Nim Wan, Tuen Mun	110	1993	61 million m³	Active (Full by 2018/2019)
South East New Territories Landfill (SENT)	Tseung Kwan O	100	1994	43	Active (Full by ?)
North East New Territories Landfill (NENT)	Ta Kwu Ling, North District	61	1995	35	Active (Full by 2016/2017)

Closed landfills

There are also 13 closed landfills.^[12] The closed landfills are converted into facilities such as golf courses, multi-purpose grass pitches, rest gardens, and ecological parks. Greenhouse gases emitted from closed landfills are used for energy. The closed landfills are:^[10]^[12]

Landfill	Location	Area (ha)	Opened	Capacity	Status	Rehab period	Current use
Gin Drinkers Bay	Kwai Chung, Kwai Tsing District	29	1960	3.5 million tonnes	Closed	1999–2000	now Kwai Chung Park
Ngau Tam Mei	Tam Mei, Yuen Long District	2	1973	0.15 million tonnes	Closed	1999–2000	Green Belt
Plover Cove	Tai Mei Tuk, Tai Po District	50	1973	15 million tonnes	Closed	1996–1997	golf driving range
Ma Tso Lung	Kwu Tong, North District	2	1976	0.2 million tonnes	Closed	1999–2000	recreation centre for Tung Wah Group of Hospitals
Ngau Chi Wan	Wong Tai Sin District	8	1976	0.7 million tonnes	Closed	1997–1998	Ngau Chi Wan Park
Sai Tso Wan	Kwun Tong District	9	1978	1.6 million tonnes	Closed	1997–1998	Sai Tso Wan Recreation Ground opened in 2004
Siu Lang Shui	Castle Peak	12	1978	1.2 million tonnes	Closed	1999–2000	Green Belt
Junk Bay Stage I	Tseung Kwan O, Sai Kung District	68	1978	15.2 million tonnes	Closed	1997–1999	proposed site for football academy and driving range
Ma Yau Tong West	Kwun Tong	6	1979	6 million tonnes	Closed	1997–1998	planned recreation facilities
Ma Yau Tong Central	Kwun Tong	11	1981	1.0 million tonnes	Closed	1997–1998	future Lam Tin Park
Pillar Point Valley	Tuen Mun District	38	1983	13 million tonnes	Closed	2004–2006	N/A
Jordan Valley	Kwun Tong	11	1986	1.5 million tonnes	Closed	1997–1998	Jordan Valley Park, Opened 2010.
Junk Bay Stage II-III	Tseung Kwan O, Sai Kung District	42	1988	12.6 million tonnes	Closed	1997–1999	temporary home for Hong Kong Air Cadet Corps model plane training facilities

Management of emissions from waste

The degradation of the organic components contained within waste generates both gaseous and liquid emissions. Landfill gas, principally methane and carbon dioxide, is formed once anaerobic conditions are achieved within the landfill, and leachate is formed as liquids percolate through landfilled waste and pick up a cocktail of toxic and contaminating elements from the multiple waste fractions that comprise Municipal Solid Waste. Both can be harmful to human health and toxic to the environment.^[13] Landfill gas is an important source of greenhouse gases that has been clearly shown to contribute to global warming,^[14] whilst leachate can be an important source of local contamination, especially to waterways.^[15] As Hong Kong is very close to the sea as well as to heavily built up areas, the control of emissions is of high importance.^[16] Wherever possible, landfill gas is used as a fuel for the generation of power and, in Hong Kong, landfill gas is used to generate electricity and to provide power for the treatment of leachate produced from the landfilled waste.^[17]

The technology used for landfill gas management is well known throughout the world^[18] and includes on-site power generation, provision of heat for leachate treatment and off-site use as a source of natural biogas for feeding into the gas main.^[19] Leachate is treated using landfill gas to provide heat for reducing the heavy loading of ammonia and ensuring that it can be released into the environment^[20]^[21] according to strict criteria as specified by the Environmental Protection Department of Hong Kong, and the process is employed at all three strategic landfill sites cited above.^[22]

NGO campaigns

Friends of the Earth

Friends of the Earth (HK) is one of the local environmental groups in Hong Kong. One of its campaigns emphasises on setting up an all-inclusive recycling system.^[23]

Green Power

Green Power, another local environmental organisation, has many activities related to waste control and management. Green Power organises an ongoing "Zero Waste Action", aiming to reduce the waste the territory produces.^[24]

References

^ Lou, Loretta (6 November 2019). "The Struggle for Sustainable Waste Management in Hong Kong: 1950s–2010s". Worldwide Waste Journal. Vol. 2. doi:10.5334/wwwj.40.
^ Waste problem in Hong Kong (PDF), archived (PDF) from the original on 21 July 2011, retrieved 28 June 2009
^ "Hong Kong drowning in waste as China rubbish ban takes toll". Reuters. U.K. Archived from the original on 31 January 2018. Retrieved 31 January 2018.
^ Ockenden, James (27 February 2007). "HK landfills full in 4–8 years". blueskieschina.com. Archived from the original on 8 July 2011. Retrieved 28 June 2009.
^ "Data & Statistics – Environmental Protection Department". Government of Hong Kong. Archived from the original on 5 October 2017. Retrieved 25 April 2018.
^ "Waste Atlas. (2016). Country Data: HONG KONG SAR, CHINA". Archived from the original on 3 January 2014.
^ "Friends of the Earth (HK)". foe.org.hk. Archived from the original on 12 February 2012. Retrieved 25 April 2018.
^ "EPD - Refuse Transfer Stations". Archived from the original on 1 June 2009. Retrieved 27 February 2009.
^ "Temporarily Unavailable". wasteage.com. Archived from the original on 1 December 2008. Retrieved 25 April 2018.
^ ^a ^b "Landfills in Hong Kong" (PDF). www.legco.gov.hk. Archived from the original (PDF) on 31 March 2010.
^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 8 March 2014. Retrieved 7 March 2014.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
^ ^a ^b "EPD - Restoration and Afteruse of Closed Landfills". Archived from the original on 1 June 2009. Retrieved 27 February 2009.
^ "5 LANDFILL GAS". epd.gov.hk. Retrieved 25 March 2019.
^ "Building on Success: New Ways to Keep Methane Out of the Atmosphere". World Bank. Retrieved 25 March 2019.
^ Nagarajan, Rajkumar; Thirumalaisamy, Subramani; Lakshumanan, Elango (27 December 2012). "Impact of leachate on groundwater pollution due to non-engineered municipal solid waste landfill sites of erode city, Tamil Nadu, India". Iranian Journal of Environmental Health Science & Engineering. 9 (1): 35. doi:10.1186/1735-2746-9-35. ISSN 1735-1979. PMC 3561079. PMID 23369323.
^ "Water | Environmental Protection Department". epd.gov.hk. Retrieved 25 March 2019.
^ "Landfill Gas Utilization | Environmental Protection Department". epd.gov.hk. Retrieved 25 March 2019.
^ "Top 15 largest landfills in the world". Observatory. 16 April 2018. Retrieved 25 March 2019.
^ "Problems & Solutions | Environmental Protection Department". epd.gov.hk. Retrieved 25 March 2019.
^ "Landfill Gas Utilization | Environmental Protection Department". epd.gov.hk. Retrieved 25 March 2019.
^ "Organics Group Completes Landfill Leachate Cleanup Plant in Hong Kong". waste-management-world.com (in German). 8 March 2019. Retrieved 25 March 2019.
^ "Problems & Solutions | Environmental Protection Department". epd.gov.hk. Retrieved 26 March 2019.
^ "Friends of the Earth (HK)". www.foe.org.hk. Archived from the original on 28 December 2006.
^ "Green Power – Activities". greenpower.org.hk. Archived from the original on 11 February 2008. Retrieved 25 April 2018.

External links

[Worldwide_Waste_Journal-1] Lou, Loretta (6 November 2019). "The Struggle for Sustainable Waste Management in Hong Kong: 1950s–2010s". Worldwide Waste Journal. Vol. 2. doi:10.5334/wwwj.40.

[2] Waste problem in Hong Kong (PDF), archived (PDF) from the original on 21 July 2011, retrieved 28 June 2009

[3] "Hong Kong drowning in waste as China rubbish ban takes toll". Reuters. U.K. Archived from the original on 31 January 2018. Retrieved 31 January 2018.

[4] Ockenden, James (27 February 2007). "HK landfills full in 4–8 years". blueskieschina.com. Archived from the original on 8 July 2011. Retrieved 28 June 2009.

[5] "Data & Statistics – Environmental Protection Department". Government of Hong Kong. Archived from the original on 5 October 2017. Retrieved 25 April 2018.

[6] "Waste Atlas. (2016). Country Data: HONG KONG SAR, CHINA". Archived from the original on 3 January 2014.

[7] "Friends of the Earth (HK)". foe.org.hk. Archived from the original on 12 February 2012. Retrieved 25 April 2018.

[8] "EPD - Refuse Transfer Stations". Archived from the original on 1 June 2009. Retrieved 27 February 2009.

[9] "Temporarily Unavailable". wasteage.com. Archived from the original on 1 December 2008. Retrieved 25 April 2018.

[Indeterminate-10] "Landfills in Hong Kong" (PDF). www.legco.gov.hk. Archived from the original (PDF) on 31 March 2010.

[11] "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 8 March 2014. Retrieved 7 March 2014.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)

[sc.info.gov.hk-12] "EPD - Restoration and Afteruse of Closed Landfills". Archived from the original on 1 June 2009. Retrieved 27 February 2009.

[13] "5 LANDFILL GAS". epd.gov.hk. Retrieved 25 March 2019.

[14] "Building on Success: New Ways to Keep Methane Out of the Atmosphere". World Bank. Retrieved 25 March 2019.

[15] Nagarajan, Rajkumar; Thirumalaisamy, Subramani; Lakshumanan, Elango (27 December 2012). "Impact of leachate on groundwater pollution due to non-engineered municipal solid waste landfill sites of erode city, Tamil Nadu, India". Iranian Journal of Environmental Health Science & Engineering. 9 (1): 35. doi:10.1186/1735-2746-9-35. ISSN 1735-1979. PMC 3561079. PMID 23369323.

[16] "Water | Environmental Protection Department". epd.gov.hk. Retrieved 25 March 2019.

[17] "Landfill Gas Utilization | Environmental Protection Department". epd.gov.hk. Retrieved 25 March 2019.

[18] "Top 15 largest landfills in the world". Observatory. 16 April 2018. Retrieved 25 March 2019.

[19] "Problems & Solutions | Environmental Protection Department". epd.gov.hk. Retrieved 25 March 2019.

[20] "Landfill Gas Utilization | Environmental Protection Department". epd.gov.hk. Retrieved 25 March 2019.

[21] "Organics Group Completes Landfill Leachate Cleanup Plant in Hong Kong". waste-management-world.com (in German). 8 March 2019. Retrieved 25 March 2019.

[22] "Problems & Solutions | Environmental Protection Department". epd.gov.hk. Retrieved 26 March 2019.

[23] "Friends of the Earth (HK)". www.foe.org.hk. Archived from the original on 28 December 2006.

[24] "Green Power – Activities". greenpower.org.hk. Archived from the original on 11 February 2008. Retrieved 25 April 2018.

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@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
+{{short description|none}}
-{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2018}}
+{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2021}}
 {{Multiple issues|
-{{refimprove|date=March 2008}}
+{{more citations needed|date=March 2008}}
-{{expert-subject|date=March 2008}}
 {{update|date=July 2016}}
 }}
@@ Line 8: / Line 8: @@
 {{EngvarB|date=November 2018}}
-In the densely populated Hong Kong, waste is a complex issue. The territory generates around 6.4&nbsp;million tons of waste each year<ref>{{Citation
+In the densely populated Hong Kong, waste is a complex issue.<ref name="Worldwide Waste Journal">{{cite news |last1=Lou|first1=Loretta|title=The Struggle for Sustainable Waste Management in Hong Kong: 1950s–2010s. |work=[[Worldwide Waste Journal]] |date=2019-11-06 |volume=2 |doi=10.5334/wwwj.40 |doi-access=free }}</ref> The territory generates around 6.4&nbsp;million tons of waste each year<ref>{{Citation
  |title       = Waste problem in Hong Kong
- |accessdate  = 28 June 2009
+ |access-date  = 28 June 2009
  |url         = http://www.cyberport.hk/campaign/arcade/DM/apr08/earthday/eco-expo.pdf
- |deadurl     = no
+ |url-status     = live
- |archiveurl  = https://web.archive.org/web/20110721085949/http://www.cyberport.hk/campaign/arcade/DM/apr08/earthday/eco-expo.pdf
+ |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20110721085949/http://www.cyberport.hk/campaign/arcade/DM/apr08/earthday/eco-expo.pdf
- |archivedate = 21 July 2011
+ |archive-date = 21 July 2011
+}}</ref> but is able to collect and process only a minimal portion of recyclable waste.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-hongkong-rubbish/hong-kong-drowning-in-waste-as-china-rubbish-ban-takes-toll-idUKKBN1FK0J9|title=Hong Kong drowning in waste as China rubbish ban takes toll|work=Reuters|location=U.K.|access-date=31 January 2018|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180131100609/https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-hongkong-rubbish/hong-kong-drowning-in-waste-as-china-rubbish-ban-takes-toll-idUKKBN1FK0J9|archive-date=31 January 2018}}</ref> By 2019, its existing [[landfill]]s are expected to be full.<ref>{{Cite web
- |df          =
-}}</ref> but is able to collect and process only a minimal portion of recyclable waste.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-hongkong-rubbish/hong-kong-drowning-in-waste-as-china-rubbish-ban-takes-toll-idUKKBN1FK0J9|title=Hong Kong drowning in waste as China rubbish ban takes toll|last=Editorial|first=Reuters|work=U.K.|access-date=31 January 2018|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180131100609/https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-hongkong-rubbish/hong-kong-drowning-in-waste-as-china-rubbish-ban-takes-toll-idUKKBN1FK0J9|archivedate=31 January 2018|df=}}</ref> By 2019, its existing [[landfill]]s are expected to be full.<ref>{{Cite web
  |last        = Ockenden
  |first       = James
  |title       = HK landfills full in 4–8 years
  |work        = blueskieschina.com
- |accessdate  = 28 June 2009
+ |access-date  = 28 June 2009
  |date        = 27 February 2007
  |url         = http://blueskieschina.com/mambo/content/view/180/90
- |deadurl     = no
+ |url-status     = live
- |archiveurl  = https://web.archive.org/web/20110708074352/http://blueskieschina.com/mambo/content/view/180/90
+ |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20110708074352/http://blueskieschina.com/mambo/content/view/180/90
- |archivedate = 8 July 2011
+ |archive-date = 8 July 2011
- |df          =
 }}</ref> [[Government of Hong Kong|The government]] has introduced [[waste management]] schemes and is working to educate the public on the subject. On the commercial side, producers are taking up measures to reduce waste.
 ==Statistics==
-Hong Kong EPD ([[Environmental Protection Department]]) provides data and statistics about waste management.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/environmentinhk/waste/data/waste_data.html|title=Data & Statistics – Environmental Protection Department|publisher=Government of Hong Kong|accessdate=25 April 2018|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20171005092629/http://www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/environmentinhk/waste/data/waste_data.html|archivedate=5 October 2017|df=}}</ref>
+Hong Kong EPD ([[Environmental Protection Department]]) provides data and statistics about waste management.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/environmentinhk/waste/data/waste_data.html|title=Data & Statistics – Environmental Protection Department|publisher=Government of Hong Kong|access-date=25 April 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171005092629/http://www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/environmentinhk/waste/data/waste_data.html|archive-date=5 October 2017}}</ref>
 ==Waste management process==
+In Hong Kong, wastes generated can be categorised as municipal [[solid waste]], [[construction and demolition waste]], [[chemical waste]] and other special waste, including: [[clinical waste]], [[Carrion|animal carcasses]], livestock waste, [[radioactive waste]], [[sewage sludge|grease trap waste and waterworks/sewage sludges]]. According to a 2016 report from [[Waste Atlas]], waste generation in Hong Kong is around 6.4&nbsp;million [[tonnes]] per year or 900&nbsp;kg/cap/year.<ref>{{cite web| title=Waste Atlas. (2016). Country Data: HONG KONG SAR, CHINA.| url=http://atlas.d-waste.com| url-status=live| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140103213557/http://www.atlas.d-waste.com/ | archive-date=3 January 2014}}</ref> &nbsp;
-===Overview===
-In Hong Kong, wastes generated can be categorised as municipal [[solid waste]], [[construction and demolition waste]], [[chemical waste]] and other special waste, including: [[clinical waste]], [[Carrion|animal carcasses]], livestock waste, [[radioactive waste]], [[sewage sludge|grease trap waste and waterworks/sewage sludges]].
-Current (2016), according to [[Waste Atlas]] 1st Report waste generation in Hong Kong is around 6.4&nbsp;million [[tonnes]] per year or 900&nbsp;kg/cap/year.<ref>{{cite web| title=Waste Atlas. (2016). Country Data: HONG KONG SAR, CHINA.| url=http://atlas.d-waste.com| deadurl=no| archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140103213557/http://www.atlas.d-waste.com/ | archivedate=3 January 2014| df=}}</ref> &nbsp;
-===Processing===
 Wastes in Hong Kong are first collected from disposal bins to refuse transfer stations (RTS). After they are compacted and put in containers, they are delivered to disposal lands or recycling centers.
+There are hundreds of collectors in the territory where wastes are located before transferring to refuse transfer stations.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.foe.org.hk/welcome/geten.asp?language=en&id_path=1,%207,%2026,%203008,%203144|title=Friends of the Earth (HK)|website=foe.org.hk|access-date=25 April 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120212180009/http://www.foe.org.hk/welcome/geten.asp?language=en&id_path=1,%207,%2026,%203008,%203144|archive-date=12 February 2012}}</ref> There are seven [[refuse transfer stations]] in the territory. They serve as centralised collection points for the transfer of waste to the strategic landfills.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://sc.info.gov.hk/gb/www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/environmentinhk/waste/prob_solutions/msw_rts.html |title=EPD - Refuse Transfer Stations |access-date=27 February 2009 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090601011118/http://sc.info.gov.hk/gb/www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/environmentinhk/waste/prob_solutions/msw_rts.html |archive-date=1 June 2009 }}</ref>
-===Waste Collection===
-There are hundreds of collectors in the territory where wastes are located before transferring to refuse transfer stations.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.foe.org.hk/welcome/geten.asp?language=en&id_path=1,%207,%2026,%203008,%203144|title=Friends of the Earth (HK)|website=foe.org.hk|accessdate=25 April 2018|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120212180009/http://www.foe.org.hk/welcome/geten.asp?language=en&id_path=1,%207,%2026,%203008,%203144|archivedate=12 February 2012|df=}}</ref>
-===Waste transport===
-There are seven [[refuse transfer stations]] in the territory. They serve as centralised collection points for the transfer of waste to the strategic landfills.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://sc.info.gov.hk/gb/www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/environmentinhk/waste/prob_solutions/msw_rts.html |title=Archived copy |accessdate=27 February 2009 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090601011118/http://sc.info.gov.hk/gb/www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/environmentinhk/waste/prob_solutions/msw_rts.html |archivedate=1 June 2009 |df= }}</ref>
 ===Landfills===
+Operated by the EPD,{{clarify|date=March 2021}} the landfill sites only accept garbage from Hong Kong. Thirteen of 16 landfills were closed from 1988 to 1996. Starting from 6 January 2016, the South East New Territories Landfill (SENT) will only receive construction waste.{{needs update|date=March 2021}} Hong Kong has three strategic landfills in use. All are located in the [[New Territories]]:<ref>{{cite web|url=http://wasteage.com/mag/waste_hong_kong_expands/|title=Temporarily Unavailable|website=wasteage.com|access-date=25 April 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081201165257/http://wasteage.com/mag/waste_hong_kong_expands/|archive-date=1 December 2008}}</ref><ref name="Indeterminate">{{cite web |url=http://www.legco.gov.hk/yr05-06/english/sec/library/0506in37e.pdf |title=Landfills in Hong Kong |website=www.legco.gov.hk |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100331173154/http://www.legco.gov.hk/yr05-06/english/sec/library/0506in37e.pdf |archive-date=31 March 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.legco.gov.hk/yr12-13/chinese/panels/ea/duty_v/eavp1304-4-ec.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=7 March 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140308015323/http://www.legco.gov.hk/yr12-13/chinese/panels/ea/duty_v/eavp1304-4-ec.pdf |archive-date=8 March 2014 }}</ref>
-Operated by the EPD, the landfill sites only accept garbage from Hong Kong. Thirteen of 16 landfills were closed from 1988 to 1996. Starting from 6 January 2016, the South East New Territories Landfill (SENT) will only receive construction waste.
-====Strategic landfills====
-Hong Kong has three strategic landfills in use. All are located in the [[New Territories]]:<ref>{{cite web|url=http://wasteage.com/mag/waste_hong_kong_expands/|title=Temporarily Unavailable|website=wasteage.com|accessdate=25 April 2018|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081201165257/http://wasteage.com/mag/waste_hong_kong_expands/|archivedate=1 December 2008|df=}}</ref><ref name="webcache.googleusercontent.com">http://www.legco.gov.hk/yr05-06/english/sec/library/0506in37e.pdf {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100331173154/http://www.legco.gov.hk/yr05-06/english/sec/library/0506in37e.pdf |date=31 March 2010 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.legco.gov.hk/yr12-13/chinese/panels/ea/duty_v/eavp1304-4-ec.pdf |title=Archived copy |accessdate=7 March 2014 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140308015323/http://www.legco.gov.hk/yr12-13/chinese/panels/ea/duty_v/eavp1304-4-ec.pdf |archivedate=8 March 2014 |df= }}</ref>
 {| class="wikitable"
 ! Landfill
 ! Location
+! Area (ha)
-! Hectare
 ! Opened
 ! Capacity
@@ Line 70: / Line 58: @@
 |-
 | South East New Territories Landfill (SENT)
-|  [[Tseung Kwan O New Town|Tseung Kwan O]], [[Junk Bay]]
+|  [[Tseung Kwan O New Town|Tseung Kwan O]]
 | 100
 | 1994
@@ Line 85: / Line 73: @@
 ====Closed landfills====
-There are also 13 closed landfills.<ref name="sc.info.gov.hk">{{cite web |url=http://sc.info.gov.hk/gb/www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/environmentinhk/waste/prob_solutions/msw_racl.html |title=Archived copy |accessdate=27 February 2009 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090601195109/http://sc.info.gov.hk/gb/www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/environmentinhk/waste/prob_solutions/msw_racl.html |archivedate=1 June 2009 |df= }}</ref> The closed landfills are converted into facilities such as golf courses, multi-purpose grass pitches, rest gardens, and ecological parks. Greenhouse gases emitted from closed landfills are used for energy. The closed landfills are:<ref name="webcache.googleusercontent.com" /><ref name="sc.info.gov.hk"/>
+There are also 13 closed landfills.<ref name="sc.info.gov.hk">{{cite web |url=http://sc.info.gov.hk/gb/www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/environmentinhk/waste/prob_solutions/msw_racl.html |title=EPD - Restoration and Afteruse of Closed Landfills |access-date=27 February 2009 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090601195109/http://sc.info.gov.hk/gb/www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/environmentinhk/waste/prob_solutions/msw_racl.html |archive-date=1 June 2009 }}</ref> The closed landfills are converted into facilities such as golf courses, multi-purpose grass pitches, rest gardens, and ecological parks. Greenhouse gases emitted from closed landfills are used for energy. The closed landfills are:<ref name="Indeterminate" /><ref name="sc.info.gov.hk"/>
 {| class="wikitable"
 ! Landfill
 ! Location
+! Area (ha)
-! Hectare
 ! Opened
 ! Capacity
 ! Status
-! Rehab Period
+! Rehab period
 ! Current use
 |-
 | [[Gin Drinkers Bay]]
-| [[Kwai Tsing District]], [[Tsuen Wan]]
+| [[Kwai Chung]], [[Kwai Tsing District]]
 | 29
 | 1960
@@ Line 134: / Line 122: @@
 |-
 | [[Ngau Chi Wan]]
-| [[Wong Tai Sin District]], [[Kowloon East (constituency)|East Kowloon]]
+| [[Wong Tai Sin District]]
 | 8
 | 1976
@@ Line 143: / Line 131: @@
 |-
 | [[Sai Tso Wan Recreation Ground|Sai Tso Wan]]
-| [[Kwun Tong District]], [[Kowloon East (constituency)|East Kowloon]]
+| [[Kwun Tong District]]
 | 9
 | 1978
@@ Line 170: / Line 158: @@
 |-
 | [[Ma Yau Tong]] West
-| [[Kwun Tong]], [[Kowloon East (constituency)|East Kowloon]]
+| [[Kwun Tong]]
 | 6
 | 1979
@@ Line 179: / Line 167: @@
 |-
 | [[Ma Yau Tong]] Central
-| [[Kwun Tong]], [[Kowloon East (constituency)|East Kowloon]]
+| [[Kwun Tong]]
 | 11
 | 1981
@@ Line 197: / Line 185: @@
 |-
 | [[Jordan Valley, Hong Kong|Jordan Valley]]
-| [[Kwun Tong]], [[Kowloon East (constituency)|East Kowloon]]
+| [[Kwun Tong]]
 | 11
 | 1986
@@ Line 216: / Line 204: @@
 ==== Management of emissions from waste ====
-The degradation of the organic components contained within waste generates both gaseous and liquid emissions. [[Landfill gas]], principally [[methane]] and [[Carbon dioxide|carbon dioxide]], is formed once [[Anaerobic digestion|anaerobic]] conditions are achieved within the landfill, and leachate<ref>{{Citation|title=Leachate|date=2019-03-10|url=https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=Leachate&oldid=887097056|work=Wikipedia|language=en|access-date=2019-03-25}}</ref> is formed as liquids percolate through landfilled waste and pick up a cocktail of toxic and contaminating elements from the multiple waste fractions that comprise [[Municipal solid waste|Municipal Solid Waste]]. Both can be harmful to human health and toxic to the environment<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.epd.gov.hk/eia/register/report/eiareport/eia_0892003/ema_mannual/Manual_Section5.htm|title=5 LANDFILL GAS|website=www.epd.gov.hk|access-date=2019-03-25}}</ref>. Landfill gas is an important source of greenhouse gases that has been clearly shown to contribute to global warming<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.worldbank.org/en/news/feature/2015/07/17/building-on-success-new-ways-to-keep-methane-out-of-the-atmosphere|title=Building on Success: New Ways to Keep Methane Out of the Atmosphere|website=World Bank|language=en|access-date=2019-03-25}}</ref>, whilst leachate can be an important source of local contamination, especially to waterways<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Nagarajan|first=Rajkumar|last2=Thirumalaisamy|first2=Subramani|last3=Lakshumanan|first3=Elango|date=2012-12-27|title=Impact of leachate on groundwater pollution due to non-engineered municipal solid waste landfill sites of erode city, Tamil Nadu, India|journal=Iranian Journal of Environmental Health Science & Engineering|volume=9|issue=1|pages=35|doi=10.1186/1735-2746-9-35|issn=1735-1979|pmc=3561079|pmid=23369323}}</ref>. As Hong Kong is very close to the sea as well as to heavily built up areas, the control of emissions is of high importance<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/environmentinhk/water/hkwqrc/overview/index.html|title=Water {{!}} Environmental Protection Department|website=www.epd.gov.hk|access-date=2019-03-25}}</ref>. Wherever possible, landfill gas is used as a fuel for the generation of power and, in Hong Kong, landfill gas is used to [[Landfill gas utilization|generate electricity]] and to provide power for the treatment of leachate produced from the landfilled waste<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/environmentinhk/waste/prob_solutions/msw_lgu.html|title=Landfill Gas Utilization {{!}} Environmental Protection Department|website=www.epd.gov.hk|access-date=2019-03-25}}</ref>. The technology used for landfill gas management is well-known throughout the world<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://newsobservatory.com/top-15-largest-landfills-in-the-world/|title=Top 15 largest landfills in the world|date=2018-04-16|website=Observatory|language=en-US|access-date=2019-03-25}}</ref>  and includes on-site power generation, provision of heat for leachate treatment and off-site use as a source of natural biogas for feeding into the gas main<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/environmentinhk/waste/prob_solutions/msw_gasmgntsystem.html|title=Problems & Solutions {{!}} Environmental Protection Department|website=www.epd.gov.hk|access-date=2019-03-25}}</ref> . Leachate is treated using landfill gas to provide heat for reducing the heavy loading of ammonia and ensuring that it can be released into the environment<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/environmentinhk/waste/prob_solutions/msw_lenchate.html|title=Landfill Gas Utilization {{!}} Environmental Protection Department|last=|first=|date=|website=www.epd.gov.hk|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|access-date=2019-03-25}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://waste-management-world.com/a/organics-group-completes-landfill-leachate-cleanup-plant-in-hong-kong|title=Organics Group Completes Landfill Leachate Cleanup Plant in Hong Kong|date=2019-03-08|website=waste-management-world.com|language=de|access-date=2019-03-25}}</ref>.
+The degradation of the organic components contained within waste generates both gaseous and liquid emissions. [[Landfill gas]], principally [[methane]] and [[carbon dioxide]], is formed once [[Anaerobic digestion|anaerobic]] conditions are achieved within the landfill, and leachate is formed as liquids percolate through landfilled waste and pick up a cocktail of toxic and contaminating elements from the multiple waste fractions that comprise [[Municipal solid waste|Municipal Solid Waste]]. Both can be harmful to human health and toxic to the environment.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.epd.gov.hk/eia/register/report/eiareport/eia_0892003/ema_mannual/Manual_Section5.htm|title=5 LANDFILL GAS|website=epd.gov.hk|access-date=2019-03-25}}</ref> Landfill gas is an important source of greenhouse gases that has been clearly shown to contribute to global warming,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.worldbank.org/en/news/feature/2015/07/17/building-on-success-new-ways-to-keep-methane-out-of-the-atmosphere|title=Building on Success: New Ways to Keep Methane Out of the Atmosphere|website=World Bank|language=en|access-date=2019-03-25}}</ref> whilst leachate can be an important source of local contamination, especially to waterways.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Nagarajan|first1=Rajkumar|last2=Thirumalaisamy|first2=Subramani|last3=Lakshumanan|first3=Elango|date=2012-12-27|title=Impact of leachate on groundwater pollution due to non-engineered municipal solid waste landfill sites of erode city, Tamil Nadu, India|journal=Iranian Journal of Environmental Health Science & Engineering|volume=9|issue=1|pages=35|doi=10.1186/1735-2746-9-35|issn=1735-1979|pmc=3561079|pmid=23369323 |doi-access=free }}</ref> As Hong Kong is very close to the sea as well as to heavily built up areas, the control of emissions is of high importance.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/environmentinhk/water/hkwqrc/overview/index.html|title=Water {{!}} Environmental Protection Department|website=epd.gov.hk|access-date=2019-03-25}}</ref> Wherever possible, landfill gas is used as a fuel for the generation of power and, in Hong Kong, landfill gas is used to [[Landfill gas utilization|generate electricity]] and to provide power for the treatment of leachate produced from the landfilled waste.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/environmentinhk/waste/prob_solutions/msw_lgu.html|title=Landfill Gas Utilization {{!}} Environmental Protection Department|website=epd.gov.hk|access-date=2019-03-25}}</ref>
+The technology used for landfill gas management is well known throughout the world<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://newsobservatory.com/top-15-largest-landfills-in-the-world/|title=Top 15 largest landfills in the world|date=2018-04-16|website=Observatory|language=en-US|access-date=2019-03-25}}</ref> and includes on-site power generation, provision of heat for leachate treatment and off-site use as a source of natural [[biogas]] for feeding into the gas main.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/environmentinhk/waste/prob_solutions/msw_gasmgntsystem.html|title=Problems & Solutions {{!}} Environmental Protection Department|website=epd.gov.hk|access-date=2019-03-25}}</ref> Leachate is treated using landfill gas to provide heat for reducing the heavy loading of ammonia and ensuring that it can be released into the environment<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/environmentinhk/waste/prob_solutions/msw_lenchate.html|title=Landfill Gas Utilization {{!}} Environmental Protection Department|website=epd.gov.hk|access-date=2019-03-25}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://waste-management-world.com/a/organics-group-completes-landfill-leachate-cleanup-plant-in-hong-kong|title=Organics Group Completes Landfill Leachate Cleanup Plant in Hong Kong|date=2019-03-08|website=waste-management-world.com|language=de|access-date=2019-03-25}}</ref> according to strict criteria as specified by the [https://www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/top.html Environmental Protection Department of Hong Kong], and the process is employed at all three strategic landfill sites cited above.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/environmentinhk/waste/prob_solutions/msw_lenchate.html|title=Problems & Solutions {{!}} Environmental Protection Department|website=epd.gov.hk|access-date=2019-03-26}}</ref>
 ==NGO campaigns==
 ===Friends of the Earth===
-[[Friends of the Earth (HK)]] is one of the local environmental groups in Hong Kong. One of its campaigns emphasises on setting up an all-inclusive recycling system.<ref>http://www.foe.org.hk/welcome/geten.asp?language=en&id_path=1,%207,%2026,%203008,%203144— {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061228032856/http://www.foe.org.hk/welcome/geten.asp?language=en |date=28 December 2006 }}</ref>
+[[Friends of the Earth (HK)]] is one of the local environmental groups in Hong Kong. One of its campaigns emphasises on setting up an all-inclusive recycling system.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.foe.org.hk/welcome/geten.asp?language=en&id_path=1,%207,%2026,%203008,%203144— |title= Friends of the Earth (HK)|website=www.foe.org.hk |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061228032856/http://www.foe.org.hk/welcome/geten.asp?language=en |archive-date=28 December 2006}}</ref>
 ===Green Power===
-[[Green Power]], another local environmental organisation, has many activities related to waste control and management. Green Power organises an ongoing "[[Zero Waste Action]]", aiming to reduce the waste the territory produces.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.greenpower.org.hk/gp/activities/e_activities_zerowaste.asp|title=Green Power – Activities|website=greenpower.org.hk|accessdate=25 April 2018|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080211191840/http://www.greenpower.org.hk/gp/activities/e_activities_zerowaste.asp|archivedate=11 February 2008|df=}}</ref>
+[[Green Power]], another local environmental organisation, has many activities related to waste control and management. Green Power organises an ongoing "[[Zero Waste Action]]", aiming to reduce the waste the territory produces.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.greenpower.org.hk/gp/activities/e_activities_zerowaste.asp|title=Green Power – Activities|website=greenpower.org.hk|access-date=25 April 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080211191840/http://www.greenpower.org.hk/gp/activities/e_activities_zerowaste.asp|archive-date=11 February 2008}}</ref>
 ==See also==
 * [[Air pollution in Hong Kong]]
+* [[Domestic waste management in Hong Kong]]
 * [[Environment of Hong Kong]]
+* [[Food waste recycling in Hong Kong]]
 * [[Sha Tin Sewage Treatment Works]]
 ==References==
 {{reflist}}
+==Further reading==
+* {{cite book |last=Yim |first=K.P |date=2001 |editor-last1=Ho |editor-first1=Ken K.S. |editor-last2=Li |editor-first2=K.S. |title=Geotechnical Engineering: Meeting Society's Needs : Proceedings of the Fourteenth Southeast Asian Geotechnical Conference, Hong Kong, 10-14 December 2001 |volume=1 |publisher=[[CRC Press]] |pages=249–266 |chapter=Settlements of old landfills in Hong Kong |isbn=9789058092502}}
 ==External links==
-{{commons category|Waste management in Hong Kong}}
+{{commons category}}
 * [http://oldweb.northampton.ac.uk/aps/env/Wasteresource/1999/Apr99/99april43.htm Restoring Hong Kong's Landfills]
 * [http://www.epd.gov.hk/epd/eindex.html Hong Kong Environmental Protection Department]
+* [https://www.worldwidewastejournal.com/articles/10.5334/wwwj.40/ The Struggle for Sustainable Waste Management in Hong Kong: 1950s–2010s]
-* [http://www.foe.org.hk/ Friends of the Earth]
-* [http://www.greenpower.org.hk Green Power]
 {{Waste}}
+{{Asia topic|Waste management in}}
-{{DEFAULTSORT:Hong Kong}}
 [[Category:Waste management in Hong Kong| ]]

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