A study on how the provision of recycling facilities change public rental housing residents' recycling habits in Hong Kong

Abstract

The landfills in Hong Kong are reaching the limit of their capacity and expected to be full by 2030. In order to address this issue, the authorities advocate a vision of waste reduction, resource circulation and zero landfill in the Waste Blueprint for Hong Kong 2035. To achieve this, strategies and measures have been adopted targeting reduction of municipal solid waste (MSW) generated. MSW charging scheme was proposed to provide economic incentives to promote waste reduction. Meanwhile, the authorities provided more recycling facilities and infrastructure to encourage the public to recycle and reduce the waste. Although the MSW charging scheme had been shelved in April 2024 given public concerns, the authorities already put effort to expand the recycling network to promote waste separation and recycling. A quarter of the population in Hong Kong lives in the public rental housing (PRH) estates managed by the Hong Kong Housing Authority (HKHA). The authorities have implemented various recycling programmes in PRH estates to improve the low waste recovery rate. Under the environmental policies of HKHA, 3-coloured bins for collection of recyclables including waste papers, plastics bottles and aluminium cans are provided in all PRH estates. However, when comparing the recycling rate of these three recyclables, the recycling performance has been found varying among the PRH estates. This study aims to examine the factors that influence the recycling behaviour of the PRH residents in Hong Kong, with a focus on the impact of recycling facilities and infrastructure available. By comparing the recycling facilities, programmes and pilot schemes by collaboration with the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) in PRH estates, this study will provide insights on how recycling infrastructure could be enhanced to improve the waste recovery rate in PRH estates. Moreover, MSW management is a challenging issue for many developed cities also. To reduce the MSW production, waste charging scheme has been implemented in some Asian cities like Seoul, Tokyo and Taipei. Their experiences on implementation of waste charging scheme and complementary policies to promote recycling is reviewed to draw lessons for Hong Kong. There are few studies specifically examine the recycling behaviour of PRH residents in Hong Kong influenced by the recent installed recycling facilities. Theory of planned behaviour (TPB) model is adopted to understand the factors influencing the recycling behaviour of PRH residents. Qualitative research method is used to conduct in-depth interviews to understand the recycling habits of PRH residents and their views on recycling facilities and policies. On-site visits to three selected PRH estates are preformed to observe the difference of recycling facilities and residents’ recycling practices for comparison. After identifying the factors influencing PRH residents to perform recycling behaviour, recommendations are provided to the authorities on how to enhance the recycling facilities and promotion to improve the recycling rate in PRH estates.