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2.Recovery and Recycling ofWaste Paper in Hong Kong

2.1 Situation in 2009

About 1 030 thousand tonnes of waste paper were recovered inHong Kong. The quantity of paper recovered in 2009 shows adecrease of about 64 thousand tonnes (or 6%) as compared with

2008. The recovered waste paper was exported to the Mainlandand other countries for recycling (Figure 1).

For those exported, all were transported by sea (Figure 2). Amajor portion of these materials were handled in the 3 PublicCargo Working Areas in Chai Wan, Kwun Tong and Tuen Mun.

2.2 Local Waste Paper Recovery and Recycling Industry

According to the Environmental Protection Department's data,there are around 240 waste paper collectors in Hong Kong.Lists of local waste paper collectors and recyclers are availablethrough the Recycling Helpline at 2838 3111 and the Hong Kong

Waste Reduction Website of the Environmental ProtectionDepartment at:https://www.wastereduction.gov.hk/en/quickaccess/vicinity.htm

The waste paper collected will be separated by types including thehigh value waste paper (e.g. white paper and computer printout),old corrugated cardboard, newspapers and other mixed paper.

The sorted waste paper will then be compressed and baled forexport to the Mainland and other countries for recycling.

Waste Reduction and Recovery

Factsheet No.2

Figure 1Countries/Areas to which

Local Waste Paper wasExported by Quantity in 2009

Figure 2Mode of Transport

for the Exported Paper Wasteby Quantity in 2009

Note:

Ocean going includes sea transport to all

other countries/places. River trade refers to

transport by vessels in and near Hong Kong

waters, the Pearl River and other inland

waterways in Guangdong and Guangxi which

are accessible from waters in the vicinity of

Hong Kong.

Mainland(98.2%)

Others(0.5%)

Philippines(1.3%)

River Trade

(59.7%)

Ocean Going(40.3%)

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2.3 Composition of Waste Paper

Waste paper in municipal solid waste disposed of at landfill arecomposed of cardboard, newsprint, office paper and others suchas drink pack (tetrapak), tissue paper, etc (see Figure 3). Toenhance the recovery rate of waste paper, the public isencouraged to recover their waste paper for recycling. In HongKong, types of paper that can be recycled are listed below:

DO RECYCLE DON'T RECYCLE

Office paper (e.g.letterhead, copy paper,

business forms) and

photocopies

Adhesive removablenotes

Newspaper Thermal fax paper Index cards Overhead transparencies Colour paper Carbon paper Computer printouts Blueprint paper Envelopes and folders

(remove adhesive flaps

and plastic windows)

Lunch boxes, paper cupsor plates

Standard business cards Cellophane Brochures, magazines,

newsletters, unclassified

reports, books and

telephone directories

(remove plastic covers,plastic-coated paper and

ring binders)

Plastic- or wax-coatedpaper (e.g. milk cartons,

candy wrappers,

photocopy paper

wrappers and drinkboxes)

Corrugated cardboardand toilet roll cartridges

Napkins, tissue, papertowel

Packaging paperboard (ifnot on plastic-coated

paper)

Film

Self adhesive stickers orthose with glue or tape

Foil gift wraps Paper or cardboard that is

contaminated with paint,chemicals, food, etc.

Figure 3Composition of Waste Paper

Disposed of asMunicipal Solid Waste

in 2009

Baled Newspaper

Export of OldCorrugated Cardboard

by Barges

2. Recovery and Recycling of WastePaper in Hong Kong

Environmental Protection Department

Waste Reduction and EcoPark Group

November 2010