Municipal Solid Waste Charging Scheme @HKUST

The Hong Kong Government has announced to defer the implementation of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) Charging scheme on 1 August 2024 across Hong Kong which aims to achieve waste disposal reduction through behavioral changes. Through reducing waste, members of public could reduce the expenditure, and at the same time save the planet’s resources. For more details and update about the MSW charging scheme, you could check out the government website at https://www.mswcharging.gov.hk/en/

In HKUST, a working group was formed with members across Campus Management Office, Campus Services Office, Health, Safety and Environment Office, Student Housing and Residential Life Office, and Sustainability/Net-Zero Office to discuss the MSW charging scheme arrangement on campus. The group has designed and implemented a pilot scheme in all offices and labs in January 2024 and the charging scheme is still now in place.

FAQ

1. Does MSW charging take effect in Hong Kong?

Waste Disposal (Charging for Municipal Solid Waste) (Amendment) Bill 2018 (the Bill) has been passed by the Legislative Council (LegCo) on 26 August 2021. The Hong Kong Government has announced to defer the implementation of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) Charging scheme on 1 August 2024 across Hong Kong which aims to achieve waste disposal reduction through behavioral changes.  The Government will commence a series of measures including enhancing recycling facilities, stepping up public education and promotion and report updates to the Legislative Council in 2025. 

2. What are the differences between the two proposed charging schemes in Hong Kong?

“Charging by designated garbage bag”- we are required to wrap our waste properly in designated garbage bag or affix a designated label to it before disposal. 
 

“Charging by weight” – is mainly applicable to oversized waste or waste which is irregular in shape from commercial and industrial premises. When such waste is disposed of at the refuse transfer stations and landfills, a gate-fee will be charged based on its weight.

3. What is the charging mode of waste at HKUST now?

With the principle of "polluter-pays" scheme, the Campus Management Office (CMO) prepares the “HKUST garbage bag” for use by all offices and labs. They now have to buy and use the "HKUST garbage bags" from Campus Management Office to help reduce waste sending to the landfill.  

Dump Less, Save More!

 

4. What are the charges of HKUST garbage bags?

The HKUST designated garbage bags that are provided by Campus Management office are charged with reference of the government proposed standard. We offer 75L bags for department/office use. 

Oversized waste which cannot be wrapped in designated garbage bags should be disposed by waste collection cart, each cart is charged $100. 

 

 

5. Where can offices buy the HKUST garbage bags?

For HKUST offices and labs, the garbage bags are supplied by Campus Management Office and charged back to each office every month based on the number of bag and size of bags consumed. For 75 Litre bag, the charge is $8.5 each. For special events, offices can request extra designated garbage bags from Campus Management Office. For disposal of bulk items, offices should contact Campus Management Office to arrange waste collection cart ($100 charge each).

 

6. What should I do if I have to dispose of waste that is too big to be wrapped into a designated garbage bag on campus?

For offices, oversized waste which cannot be wrapped in designated garbage bags should be disposed by waste collection cart, each cart is charged $100. Please contact Campus Management Office for arrangement. 

 

7. How can offices reduce the cost of waste charging?

To reduce expenditure on MSW charging, the primary way is to reduce waste at source. Besides, recycling and reusing materials through different channels can also reduce expenditure on MSW charging.

HKUST is now collecting items of paper, plastic, metal, glass, food waste, beverage carton, electronic waste, Styrofoam, clothes, wood, landscape waste, animal bedding etc. across campus. More details could be checked out here. EPD also has a community recycling network, which comprises 11 Recycling Stations, 220 public collection points, Recycling Stores and Recycling Spots with services covering all 18 districts across the territory with details on Waste Reduction Website.

For more details about the MSW charging scheme, you could also check out the government website at https://www.mswcharging.gov.hk/en/

To learn more about ways to recycle at HKUST, please visit this webpage. 

If you have any feedback on the MSW charging scheme or pilot scheme, please contact us at green@ust.hk