FEASIBILITY OF OFF-SHORE LANDFILL IN HONG KONG

Abstract

Hong Kong, being a city with limited space, is facing insufficient capacity yet constant growing demand of landfill space. The current three landfills are going to reach their maximum capacity estimated latest in 3-4 years’ time(Environmental Protection Department, 2010). To ensure that the waste disposal capacity is sufficient for future use, the Environment Protection Department (EPD) has proposed to extend the existing landfills to meet the escalating demand after the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) for Extension of Existing Landfills and Identification of Potential New Waste Disposal Sites was conducted in 2003(EPD, 2003). The extension proposal was approved in Legislative Council in 2014 despite strong objection from the public especially residents staying in close proximity to the landfills in Tseung Kwan O and Tuen Mun. Although the SEA conducted also included a list of possible sites for waste disposal besides extension of existing ones, no further study has been conducted to put it at work. This study aims to bridge the gap by studying the feasibility on constructing a new offshore landfill far away from city area to cater to the future waste disposal needs when the extended landfills become exhausted after 2033. The research will primary focus on environmental and social aspect of the proposal. Literature review and a case study on Semakau Landfill were conducted to study the requirement and success factors in construction and operation of an offshore landfill. Survey Questionnaire was conducted to obtain further public’s opinion regarding their consideration and acceptability of the landfill extension and construction proposal and test through some of the findings in the literature review. The results show that the public especially those staying in close proximity to the landfills generally have negative perspective towards waste disposal sites as they were seen to have high impact on their health and environment. It is important for the government to raise their awareness and knowledge of waste issues and disposal facilities for better acceptability. Measures to increase public acceptance towards such proposal were discussed and recommended by reducing the environmental and community impact. These measures are planning ahead with zoning of unwanted land use together to minimize impact to the community, protection of biodiversity and surrounding environment by relocation of special species, use of advanced technology such as silt screen during construction and last but not the least engagement of public for the use of the landfill facility such as guided recreational tours during the operation phase.