‘Too early’ to judge whether Hong Kong’s waste-charging scheme roll-out needs changes, John Lee says amid calls for further delay

Calls to again postpone or scrap controversial pay-as-you-throw scheme prompt Chief Executive John Lee to review its implementation and ‘plan way forward’

Trial run set for next week ahead of full launch in August, with city leader saying any changes using public feedback will boost government credibility

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A worker pushing rubbish bags on a trolley. The Legislative Council cleared the pay-as-you-throw scheme in August 2021. Photo: Sam Tsang

Published: 1:05pm, 26 Mar 2024Updated: 9:19pm, 26 Mar 2024

Hong Kong’s leader has said it is “too early” to decide whether to alter the implementation of a controversial waste-charging scheme amid calls for a further delay, while suggesting that any changes following public feedback will boost the government’s credibility.

The pay-as-you-throw programme, which has already been delayed twice, is set to be rolled out citywide on August 1 following a trial at 14 locations beginning on Monday next week.

But authorities are facing mounting calls to delay the plan or even scrap it for good.

Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu on Tuesday maintained the government had to move forward with the scheme, which was cleared by the Legislative Council in August 2021, but said its implementation would now be subject to a review.

“Since this is already the law, the government has to think of a serious way of going forward,” he said before a meeting of the government’s key decision-making Executive Council.

“But we also are willing to listen to views and we will pragmatically decide the way forward as we go through the exercise and learn from the experience.”