Cheung Chau Magazine

2012 Jan 01

An open opposition letter from a number of concerned groups to Hong Kong Government was registered with Panel of Environmental Affairs of Legislative Council in 2012, it stated categorically that Shek Kwu Chau Mega-Incinerator is one of the world’s largest and most expensive at HK$8 billion to $13 billion.

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.

It will deal a heavy blow to local tourism, especially Cheung Chau and South Lantau.

Dredging and reclamation will also damage one of best remaining areas for Hong Kong fisheries, destroying the livelihood of fishermen.

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 mega-incinerator will produce at least 300 tonnes of toxic ash per day,which must be specially handled and disposed of in a landfill.

Government 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.

Recycle Bin