Electrical equipment retailers will soon be required to recycle e-waste

The service will be officially implemented in the third quarter of next year.

The government is taking proactive steps to address the growing waste problem in the city as the Environmental Protection Department launched the removal service trial scheme for the recycling of electronic and electrical waste last November 30.

Hong Kong is known to produce 70,000 tonnes of domestic e-waste whilst up to 20% of the United States’ electronic waste is disposed off at Hong Kong.

According to a government news article, the trial scheme involved 13 sellers to prepare for and ensure the smooth implementation of the e-waste legislation in third quarter of next year.

Sellers of electronic equipment and appliances like air-conditioners, refrigerators, washing machines, televisions, computers, printers, scanners and monitors are mandated to arrange a free removal service for e-waste disposal if requested by customers.

The waste equipment will then be sent to recyclers for proper treatment and converted into resources.