Hong Kong hygiene officials issued 31,945 fines for littering in 2024
Increase of fixed fines to HK$3,000 in 2023 means authorities will generate HK$95.8 million from the penalty notices
Hong Kong authorities issued more than 31,000 fixed penalty notices for littering offences last year, with the fines set to bring in over HK$95 million (US$12.2 million) for the government’s coffers.
The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department said the doubling of fixed penalty levels in 2023 had produced a substantial deterrent effect, reducing the number of notices served to members of the public.
According to written replies to lawmakers shared on Tuesday, the department handed out 31,945 fixed penalty notices for littering in 2024, or an average of 87 a day.
The increase of the fixed fines to HK$3,000 means authorities will generate HK$95.8 million in revenue from last year’s penalty notices.
Authorities also said 3,957 of the fixed penalty notices, alongside 1,250 summonses, were issued to offenders who were caught illegally dumping rubbish at black spots by on-site internet-connected cameras.
The government doubled the fixed penalty in October 2023 to deter those depositing litter, spitting and displaying bills or posters without permission, in addition to anyone allowing their pets to foul public areas.
