Recyclers Convicted for Illegal Handling of Electronics Waste

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): The Hong Kong court has fined several recycling sites across the country for handling electronic waste in a manner not conforming to the country’s waste disposal laws. The departmental enforcement operation carried out by the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) had revealed illegal collection, storage and handling of electronic and other hazardous waste by these facilities. It must be noted that the country had recently announced official opening of its first integrated e-waste recycling facility.

The Hong Kong court fined four recycling sites during early-March this year, for violation of law. A fine of $13,500 was issued against these companies. The court ruling follows an inspection by the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) officials in August last year, which revealed improper storage of printed circuit boards amounting to approximately 230 metric tons. Towards end-March, another company too was fined $5,700 for similar violations. The inspection by EPD officials had found the recycling site storing nearly 600 flat-panel displays illegally.

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A surprise inspection carried out by multiple agencies including EPD, the Fire Services Department (FSD), LandsD and the Planning Department (PlanD) during March this year in North District and at San Tin in Yuen Long detected four recycling sites responsible for illegal handling of hazardous waste. Nearly 20 tonnes of hazardous waste, mainly printed circuit boards (PCBs) and lead-acid batteries were found during the operation. The inspection also cited unauthorized structures at three recycling sites. The EPD is reportedly gathering evidence in these cases.

As per the law of the country, recycling operators producing chemical waste are required to register with the EPD. Necessary license has to be obtained for processing or exporting them to overseas destinations for disposal or recycling.