Between 1983 and1993, there has been a fold increase in the amount of solid waste produced in Hong Kong. Such increase may be due to the increase in population together with the increase in consumption of processes foods and drinks pre-packed in disposable containers such as paper bags, milk cartons, non-returnable glass and plastic bottles, steel and aluminum cans.

In 2000, an average of 17,910 tonnes of solid waste had been disposed daily in Hong Kong. These wastes mainly come from 4 sources: (a) Domestic households; (b) industrial and commercial businesses; (c) agriculture; and (d) construction sites. The increase does, however, exert tremendous pressure on our waste disposal facilities.

The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) closely monitors the quantities of different types of solid waste disposed of at various waste facilities. In Hong Kong, landfill and incineration are two common used methods to treat solid wastes. However, each method has its own drawbacks. Recycling is now sought to be a better way to manage solid wastes.

Sources of solid wastes
[Source: R. B. Bunnett & B. Massingham, New Geography, P.302]

Amount of solid waste production and population growth from 1990 to 2000
[Source: Environment Hong Kong 2001, P. 75]