Tsuen Wan food recycling 'won't add to shops' burden'

The Environmental Protection Department has stated that the upcoming food waste recycling pilot scheme in Tsuen Wan's street shops will not increase their workload. The pilot, starting in September, will target over 100 street-level shops in Tsuen Wan's Chuen Long and Ho Pui streets, Yeung Uk Road, and San Tsuen Street. Senior environmental protection officer Mok Yee-ting explained that the area was chosen due to its low recycling rate, which is currently attributed to a distant public food waste collection point.

During the six-month pilot, the department will establish three additional collection points, each with two 120-litre bins, operating between 9am and 9pm. Mok anticipates the measure will not significantly burden the shops because their food waste is straightforward, and proper separation should suffice. Contractors will remove the recycling bins to ensure hygiene and prevent odors.

The department aims to raise awareness among shop owners about the recycling initiative during the pilot. They will also gather feedback and evaluate the scheme's effectiveness to develop a sustainable model for wider adoption among street stores.