Understanding construction waste recycling in Hong Kong: SWOT analysis of the government’s prevailing initiatives

Abstract

The Hong Kong government has implemented the Construction Waste Disposal Charging Scheme since 2006 to promote construction waste recycling among contractors. Under the scheme, in addition to the conventional approach of disposing construction waste at landfills, contractors are given the alternative options of dumping pure inert waste and waste with over 50% by weight being inert materials at public fills and off-site sorting facilities respectively. Yet, the effectiveness of the scheme is questionable. By adopting a mixed-method approach encompassing cross-sectoral learning, attendance of Court hearings and semi-structured interviews, this study aims at understanding the status quo of construction waste recycling in Hong Kong using SWOT analysis, a strategic planning technique from the business sector. Through identifying the inherent strengths and weaknesses of the government’s construction waste recycling initiatives, as well as the external opportunities and threats impacting the realization of such initiatives, we have formulated policy recommendations on how construction waste recycling can be boosted in the future. The findings in this paper provide a useful reference for the government’s long-term solutions to construction waste recycling in Hong Kong.