Response to beverage bottle PRS

Response to PRS Proposal from Southside Glass Recycling Volunteers

Consultation Question #1

Do you agree that we should now proceed to pursue a mandatory Producer Responsibility Scheme (PRS) on glass beverage bottles as a priority among different types of glass bottles, because this removes the largest number of glass bottles?

Fundamentally we believe that all glass bottles should be reclaimed and reused or recycled rather than being sent to landfills. Further, we understand that glass bottles and jars are 100% recyclable. The ultimate goal therefore is to recycle all glass containers. We do agree that the easiest way to begin glass collection is to target glass beverage bottles rather than food containers which require proper washing.

Further, while we strongly believe that for a greener community, all glass should be recycled and we encourage the community to work toward this end by properly cleaning food-glass jars and bottles. The collection could follow a two –step process allowing for ease in recycling with beverage bottles (all beverages) and then ramping up to help educate the community about proper deposit practices and including all food jars/bottles.

It is not clear that a mandatory PRS will solve the problem or effectively raise full awareness in the community. There is some concern that this may lead instead to distributers using non-taxed, less recyclable containers. Other options may include:

l   A possible rebate given directly to those who recycle, as is often done in other parts of the world;

l   A regulation that legislates that glass bottles are to be recycled;

l   A levy on those distributers who do not take the time to separate and instead send glass bottles to landfill mixed with refuse – It is likely that if they were levied for using the landfill, they would recognize the value and be incentivized to recycle. 

These and other suggestions may effectively encourage the wider community to remove glass from the waste category and move it into the resource category.

Consultation Question #2

At present, a person who carries out a food importation or distribution business must be registered under the Food Safety Ordinance (Cap 612). Do you agree that the recycling fee for the PRS should be collected from those registered food importers and distributors who import or distribute glass-bottled beverages for local consumption? Who else would also be in the position to serve as the anchor point for the fee?

There could be a lesser levy to help differ landfill costs of glass being deposited borne by the distributors. However there should also be a system of “reward” that incentivizes consumers as well as retailers (bars/restaurants) to collect and recycle glass.

In order to develop a fair system and put the responsibility of recycling in the hands of all, we believe that rather than a strict levy, there should be a deposit system that incentivizes recycling of this resource. There is an inherent value in the glass as well as a value in the landfill space that would be made available with glass removed from the waste fill

Currently landfill costs are not taken into account. With a strict levy scheme, glass (in this case beverages only) is viewed as a liability rather than a resource. One can conclude that bars are being targeted and under the proposed system it could be construed as a “sin tax”.

We would rather emphasize glass bottles as a material and valuable resource for which the entrepreneurs, manufacturers, construction groups and artist should start to consider new and vibrant uses.

Consultation Question #3

For ordinary consumers, do you find it helpful if a beverage retailer could advise you on how to participate in glass bottle recycling? For beverage retailers, are there any practical difficulties that would prevent you from providing recycling-related information to consumers?

Yes, beverage retailers should have some responsibility in assisting their customers in the collection of glass. With a deposit system they would be more inclined to provide this opportunity.

They should also have some facts to share when questions arise about their own percentage of recycling, practice and the bigger picture landfill savings.

Consultation Question #4

As a matter of principle, we should ensure that any end-of-life products under a PRS are efficiently collected for environmentally sound recycling processes to produce reusable materials. Do you agree that new licensing control for the processing of waste glass beverage bottles could contribute to the accomplishment of the said objective of the PRS?

Yes, recycled materials could be utilized and repurposed in the production of other goods. However, the best way to recycle glass on a sustainable basis – as it doesn’t degrade through this process – is to continue to recycle glass to glass rather than feeding the need for bottle production with raw materials.

Consultation Question #5

Do you agree that beverage suppliers with a satisfactory corporate reuse/recycling plan could be exempted from the payment of a recycling fee? Are you aware of any other stakeholders who should also be entitled to similar exemption?

If there are corporate reuse/recycling plans that are deemed to be operating well, they should be studied as used as a model to be adapted to a city-wide program.

With a levy system, we don’t see much motivation for users to deposit their glass responsibly for recycling – as there is no incentive since a levy would have already been incurred by the distributor. Putting recycling in the hands of all would develop a greater sense of ownership. Even a small deposit amount associates a value to the item that would cause someone to think twice about disposal.

If the levy system is in place, there should be some additional incentive for distributors to develop their own recycling or deposit scheme that would allow them to escape the levy system. Individual distributors that further a recycling scheme – either through deposit system or other means, and approach 100% reclamation should be recognized, not be penalized.

Consultation Question #6

Do you agree that a landfill ban on glass beverage bottles should be introduced? If yes, how it should be refined for better implementation?

Those who do not wish to take part in the recycling program should be assessed with higher landfill fees to offset the labour required to reclaim their glass on site.

There is no doubt that glass should be recycled. Hong Kong residents have clearly voiced this as a priority. As the Southside Glass Recycling Volunteers, we have donated countless hours to this cause. While we are appreciative for a three month pilot project government grant in Stanley, we believe there should be a greater and continued support and funding to enable glass recycling to continue until a city-wide system is in place. The burden is currently falling on a few.

The levy system would continue to treat glass as a burden and its collection be another arm of waste management/refuse collection.

Businesses who have whole-heartedly embraced glass recycling should not be penalized. We feel more comfortable with a system that rewards responsible efforts rather than demonizing glass as a drag on the system. We feel that the community should have the opportunity to bring their waste glass for recycling to “collection hubs”. Businesses should be incentivized to collect – so that it is viewed as a resource and not a burden.

We have taken surveys and opened a book to gather community suggestions and thoughts on glass recycling for 5 months since December 1, 2012 and we have received 100’s of community member opinions. The overriding sentiment is YES Hong Kong needs to recycle glass.

Further voices emphasize the need to have a convenient place to bring their glass to be recycled. Many residents, restaurants and retailers are willing to gather glass for days or even longer depending on their usage and space availability, but all really want to know that there is somewhere that it can be received and will be reused not buried.

For more specific quotes from the Community, please see our Facebook Page: Southside Glass Recycling Initiative.