The Environment Protection Department (EPD) of Hong Kong has released a consultation paper on the Producer Responsibility Scheme (PRS) on Plastic Beverage Containers for the proper management of waste plastic bottles.

The consultation period will last for three months until May 21. EPD noted that, it will map out the regulatory framework and way forward for the PPRS after taking into account the views collected.

Waste plastics constitute about 20% of municipal solid waste disposal in Hong Kong. The Hong Kong government lately announced the Waste Blueprint for Hong Kong 2035, setting out the strategies, goals and measures to tackle the challenge of waste management and promote a circular economy.

The proposed scheme is as one of the main waste reduction measures requiring stakeholders to take the environmental responsibilities of collecting and treating plastic beverage containers to minimize the impact on the environment, according to EPD.

In line with the polluter pays principle, the scheme proposed a recycling levy to be collected at the beverage supplier level, including manufacturers and importers, to help recover the operation costs of the scheme.