Previously it has been difficult to recycle used glass bottles in Hong Kong. Some recycling centres don’t take glass. By from tomorrow (1/5) glass bottle suppliers will have to pay a recycling levy and register with the government before distributing their products. They are exempt from the levy if they collect, clean and reuse their products.
According to the Product Eco-responsibility Ordinance (Cap. 603), suppliers of glass-bottled beverages (including manufacturers and importers) must first register with the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) as a registered supplier before distributing any glass-bottled beverages in Hong Kong, otherwise it will be an offence and is liable to a maximum fine of $100,000 on conviction. A registered supplier must fulfil its statutory obligations, including submission of returns, keeping records relating to the returns, payment of container recycling levies and submission of annual audit reports.
Under the scheme, suppliers will have to pay a HK$0.98 levy for every one-litre bottle they distribute in the city, and register with the Environmental Protection Department before distributing them in Hong Kong.
As at the end of April, the EPD has received about 900 applications for supplier registration. Some registered suppliers have established their own reuse arrangements by collecting waste glass beverage containers of their brand from the market for proper cleaning, sterilisation and rebottling. They applied to the EPD for a levy exemption and the EPD has granted levy exemptions to two registered suppliers.
“The Environmental Protection Department will launch a new round of promotional activities to remind and facilitate the trade to submit returns in a timely manner and pay the container recycling levies per their obligations,” the statement said.
“The department will also conduct investigations through different channels and take enforcement actions against merchants who are suspected of non-compliance.”
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