Hong Kong people from a range of groups and places across the territory are strongly opposed to the Hong Kong government’s plans to build a waste incinerator on an artificial island beside Shek Kwu Chau.
This massive project has huge implications for Hong Kong – and yet most people know very little about. Even before the project’s environmental impact assessment process was concluded, the Environmental Protection Department jumped straight to preparing for dredging and reclamation beside Shek Kwu Chau, to build one of the world’s biggest – and most expensive – incinerators.
Our opposition to the project is based on the following:
Hugely Expensive
1) In the shocking absence of any official cost estimates, we have sought and referred to estimates by construction industry experts, with figures for construction of the mega incinerator ranging from HK$8 billion to at least HK$13 billion. This would make it not only one of the world’s largest incinerators, but also the most expensive – entailing shocking misuse of taxpayers’ money;
Major Procedural Errors
2) We oppose the government aiming to gain permission for sea-bed dredging and reclamation without consideration of the overall project by the Legislative Council, and are concerned this will lead to "destroy first and develop later" behaviour, which may establish a very bad precedent for the government and society;
3) The EPD commissioned an environmental impact assessment regarding a site for one incinerator; yet as this proceeded, made it plain that two incinerators would be required;
4) The EPD has used an absurd and defective site-selection process, which appears motivated by politics rather than by commonsense, and ignores the health impacts on and wishes of nearby residents;
No Solution to Waste Problem
5) Municipal waste incinerators cannot resolve Hong Kong’s solid waste problems. In the absence of a holistic approach to waste management, they will instead lead to a need for even more incinerators;
6) The government is rushing to set up incineration, and is currently refusing to consider alternatives, including a multi-faceted approach that includes modern technologies such as anaerobic digestion – particularly to help solve issues with food waste; a far less costly project proposed by Green Island Cement Company; greatly enhanced reuse and recycling and – of paramount importance – reduction of waste produced in Hong Kong, one of the world’s most wasteful societies;
7) EPD calls the incinerator an “Integrated Waste Management Facility”, yet this seems just a fancy title for a big fire that will burn unsorted waste;
8) The mega-incinerator will produce at least 300 tonnes of toxic ash per day, which must be specially handled and disposed of in a landfill;
Will Have Major Environmental Impacts
9) Though waste fed into the incinerators will be essentially unsorted, EPD plays down the potential for emission of large quantities of pollutants including toxic gases such as dioxins and other organic chemicals, heavy metals, and respirable suspended particulates. The EIA has scant information on air quality calculations, which appear based on best-case scenarios;
10) Dredging and reclamation will kill Indo-Pacific Finless Porpoises, a species globally Vulnerable to extinction, and affect the unique biodiversity of Shek Kwu Chau;
11) Dredging and reclamation will also damage one of best remaining areas for Hong Kong fisheries, dealing a severe blow to the livelihood of fishermen;
12) The mega incinerator will be an industrial site with a 150-metre high chimney (almost as tall as 180-metre HSBC Main Building), creating a monstrosity in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, which the government in 1995 designated for leisure tourism and conservation;
Will Have Negative Social Consequences
13) Rather than proving a tourist draw as the EPD claims, the mega incinerator will deal a heavy blow to local tourism (especially Cheung Chau and South Lantau);
14) The emphasis on mega incinerators will reduce potential for creating jobs in, for example, waste sorting, recycling and reuse;
Bogus Claims Regarding Certain Environmental “Benefits”
15) Claims the mega incinerator will be a good way of generating power or reduce greenhouse gas emissions are devoid of merit, based only on assumptions that it is not otherwise possible to reduce waste, enhance recycling and reuse, and employ other techniques such as anaerobic digestion.
The Alternative: Comprehensive Waste Management
It is indeed difficult to solve Hong Kong’s problem with domestic waste; however, there is a broad alternative to the Shek Kwu Chau Mega-incinerator: employ a diverse mix of approaches, rather than focusing such vast resources on a single option that is essentially just a very expensive bonfire with added technologies.
The EPD is indeed working on some other approaches, which is commendable. However, compared to the mega-incinerator, these receive only minor attention.
Among possibilities:
Reduce waste in Hong Kong.
16) This is of course paramount. It has been part of government planning, yet the government has failed to achieve the EPD’s 1998 or 2005 targets for waste reduction. This is reprehensible; clearly, drastic changes are needed – and must be far more wide-ranging and effective than, say, the plastic bag levy. They require imagination, forward thinking, and will and drive to succeed, together with support from Hong Kong people;
More Action at District Level
17) More waste treatment at district level. Instead of massive schemes in a very few places, more waste should be treated within districts;
Deal with Food Waste
18) Food waste is a major issue. Rather than simply burn waste food, there is potential for treating it in anaerobic digesters, producing potentially useful compost, as well as methane that can be a localised energy source. Digesters are especially well suited to Hong Kong, as they operate best at warm temperatures;
Increase Recycling and Reuse
19) Though EPD reports high percentage of waste recycling, the recycling rate should be increased, such as by expanding to cover glass;
20) Reuse is important and requires encouraging – it should not be the case that having deposits on glass bottles, say, has become part of history;
Consider Alternatives to the Mega Incinerators
21) For instance, there is a proposal for a far less costly form of incineration on an already industrial site, and there are emerging technologies such as plasma arc waste disposal. Such techniques may also prove somewhat controversial – indeed, some groups below are vehemently opposed to waste incineration – yet would prove less environmentally destructive than the proposed Shek Kwu Chau Mega-Incinerator, and would not devour so many resources that could be used for other means of waste reduction and treatment.
Participating groups:
Association for Tai O Environment and Development
Lung Fu Shan Environmental Concern Group
Range Education Centre Environment Concern Group
Tuen Mun Infrastructure Civic Monitor
Legislative Councillors Lee Cheuk-yan, Leung Yiu-chung
People from many districts, including Cheung Chau fishermen
Contact Person:
Eddie Tse, Tuen Mun Infrastructure Civic Monitor
Tel: 92249764
Letter to Donald Tsang re mega-incinerator
Hong Kong people supporting positive action to reduce waste
Cheung Chau, Hong Kong Island, Lantau, Sai Kung, Tuen Mun and elsewhere
Mr Donald Tsang
Chief Executive
Government of the Hong Kong SAR
24 November 2011
Dear Mr Tsang:
We the undersigned are Hong Kong groups and individuals who favour sustainable development, and are highly concerned by the Environmental Protection Department’s plans to build a mega incinerator on an artificial island beside Shek Kwu Chau.
We are impressed by your personal empathy for nature, as evidenced by your keeping fish, and birdwatching in your free time.
At times, however, it seems this empathy is not discernible in government actions, and the proposed mega incinerator is a prime example of a project that appears not only ill-advised, but looks set to cause substantial, irreparable environmental damage – impacting wildlife including fish and birds.
We respectfully submit a position paper, outlining key points of concern regarding the mega incinerator, and briefly suggesting alternative solutions to Hong Kong’s waste problem.
This may be summarised as: rather than focusing on incinerators, we believe a more balanced, more comprehensive approach to waste management is required.
Thank you for your time in reading the enclosed. We look forward to your response, and to perhaps joining discussions and participating in action to truly help reduce waste in Hong Kong – whilst retaining our outstanding scenery and biodiversity.
Yours sincerely,
The Conservation Agency
Friends of the Earth
Green Lantau Association
Green Sense
Hong Kong Outdoors
Living Islands Movement
Living Lamma
Living Seas Hong Kong
Momentum 107
Range Education Centre Environment Concern Group
Tai O Environmental Association
Tuen Mun Infrastructure Civic Monitor
District Councillors Leung Yau Chung and Lee Chak Yan
People from many districts, including Cheung Chau fishermen
to ACE EIA sub-committee member
just sent this email; maybe self expanatory
New technology better for waste disposal
Letter from today's Sunday Morning Post:
Questions need asking re mega incinerator
Just sent to members of Advisory Council on the Environment; and to others inc Executive and Legislative councils.
Time to hear from plasma arc tech experts
Another email to ACE, before meeting on 30 Dec:
Presentation vs incinerator to Legco Panel on Environment
Presentation to Legco Panel on Environmental Affairs, 26 March 2012
Dr Martin Williams, Director, Hong Kong Outdoors
I’m from HK Outdoors, a website; also drafted this joint statement against the incinerator, signed by groups across Hong Kong,
Hong Kong closed its waste incinerators in the early 1990s
In 1999, New York City closed its last waste incinerator.
Now, incineration back for HK
We hear of modern, improved technology, and beautiful looking incinerators.
I have a PhD in physical chemistry, was interested to see what’s so much better.
Can’t see all that much has changed.
Instead of science, we get propaganda.
You know of problems. Death to marine life including endangered porpoises. A monstrosity in a beautiful area. Poisonous emissions, and toxic ash.
Incinerator opponents living near Shek Kwu Chau have been called selfish (including by Emily Lau).
You will hear from incinerator advocates today.
Perhaps you can ask each of them: Do you receive support from EPD, or do you expect to benefit financially from the incinerator project?
So who is really being selfish here?
You will hear of alternatives, too.
Especially the 3Rs.
Our recycling figures look good.
The reality is terrible – includes old ladies pulling cardboard from lap sap bins; far more needs doing.
There are technologies, too; we take only baby steps with the excellent anaerobic digestion.
There’s also plasma arc treatment.
Unlike the incinerator, this is state of the art technology for waste treatment. With minimal emissions. Zero ash. No need to hide it away in a remote and lovely area. Lower cost and faster to build than incinerator on an island. Works well with recycling.
Worldwide, many plasma arc projects now planned or under construction, including for over 1000 tonnes of waste per day.
There’s anti-plasma propaganda in Hong Kong, based on secondhand information.
Here’s a quote on plasma arc technology:
"We believe that this technology is not only environmentally friendly, but ready for large-scale commercialisation."
- that’s from AECOM, in the US, from an expert working on a major project.
Perhaps Hong Kong should learn directly from plasma arc companies: several are willing to visit and talk to people including EPD and Panel members within days.
This month, New York City requested proposals for waste-to-energy projects, specifically excluding "mass burn" incineration.
Shouldn’t we also be open to ideas, in Asia’s World City?
It’s time for a rethink.
Don’t be misled by the propaganda. If you say no to the government’s plans, we won’t be overwhelmed by waste.
All alternatives look better than mass incineration.
Panel members: please vote no to the incinerator.