Face Off: Should Hong Kong’s waste-charging scheme have a grace period?
- Each week, two readers debate a hot topic in a showdown that doesn’t necessarily reflect their personal viewpoints
- This week, they discuss whether Hong Kong’s plan to charge residents for the garbage they produce should be delayed
Hong Kong plans to charge its residents for the waste they produce. Photo: Sam TsangIf you are interested in joining future Face Off debates, fill out this form to submit your application.
For: Charmaine Wong Cheuk-ying, 15, St Paul’s Co-educational College
As Hong Kong grapples with a pressing waste management challenge, the waste-charging scheme has been proposed as a viable solution. It is crucial for the welfare of all stakeholders involved, so it is vital to include a grace period before fully enforcing the scheme.
Similar to the 2022 ban on e-cigarettes, introducing a waste- charging scheme would cause a significant shift in lifestyles and businesses alike.
Hong Kong delays waste levy plan by four months
In this case, it would require the altering of waste management practices for businesses and residents. Individuals and organisations may not fully understand the scheme’s intricacies, so a grace period would facilitate a smoother transition and give people time to learn to comply with the new regulations. The adjustment period would allow citizens to explore waste reduction strategies by evaluating waste generation patterns.
The grace period would give Hong Kong authorities time to teach the public about the objectives and benefits of the waste-charging scheme. Through television advertisements and targeted awareness campaigns, not only can individuals gain a better understanding of the scheme and its financial impact, but the government would also be able to receive feedback from various sections of society. Residential associations and environmental organisations can encourage active engagement by filling in any gaps in the scheme.
The heightened awareness can foster greater public engagement, creating a more inclusive and sustainable waste management system that reflects the needs of the community.
An extended period of time before the actual implementation provides time to evaluate, test out, and upgrade waste collection facilities. By ensuring that the infrastructure functions well and is practical and easy to use, the scheme can be implemented seamlessly, enhancing its effectiveness and minimising any potential logistical challenges.
With active participation, the waste-charging scheme can contribute to a more sustainable and environmentally friendly future for Hong Kong, where pollution is no longer a significant concern.
Against: Valerie Chiu Wing-yee, 14, St Mary’s Canossian College
Hong Kong has a high waste generation rate. In 2021, the daily disposal of municipal solid waste charging had reached 1.53kg per person as there was widespread use of disposable plastic tableware during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Some argue that a grace period in the waste-charging scheme can be a way to shift gradually towards more sustainable practices.
During the grace period, people caught throwing away their rubbish in anything other than a designated bag will only get a verbal warning rather than a fine.
Deep Dive: Authorities warn against fake bags ahead of launch of waste charging scheme
Delaying the implementation of the waste-charging scheme through a grace period would result in a prolonged period of unsustainable waste disposal practices. This would have a direct impact on the environment as landfills continue to pile up.
A grace period may lead to perceptions of unfairness for citizens who have already made efforts to reduce waste and comply with the waste-charging scheme when they see that others do not have a monetary punishment for not complying. Granting extra time or leniency hinders social cohesion.
Tackling climate change requires collective efforts from every member of the community with a strong sense of urgency. Introducing a grace period can inadvertently reduce motivation and a sense of urgency among the public to adapt to the waste-charging scheme.
Enforcing the grace period delays the scheme’s ability to draw in revenue, which can be used for green initiatives and improve waste-management infrastructure. As a result, the government may face challenges in developing and maintaining sustainable waste management systems.
Instead of a grace period, the waste-charging scheme could start with a lighter fine. There is no doubt this can serve as a more powerful punishment for residents.
There have been decades of public education on environment conservation, and Hongkongers have been learning about the 3Rs (reuse, reduce, recycle) for many years.
Therefore, it doesn’t take a lot of time to adapt to spending about 11 HK cents per litre on the designated plastic bags.