The Secretary for the Environment, Mr Edward Yau, officiated today (December 13, 2008) at the launch of newly designed waste separation bins at a ceremony in Lung Poon Court, Diamond Hill.

     "The two types of new waste separation bins, metal and plastic, will cater for the needs of various buildings or locations," Mr Yau said.

     Metal waste separation bins, which are made of stainless steel and of a smaller size, will be placed indoors. The plastic bins, which are made of high density polyethylene and have larger capacity, will be placed outdoors for cost-effectiveness and security against theft.

     "The new plastic waste separation bins are recyclable and more durable," Mr Yau said.

     With enlarged openings, they will cover all types of waste paper, metals and plastics. They also have self-closing lids with engraved signage and drainage holes at the bottom. Those features make the new plastic bins more convenient and user-friendly. They also will not flood during heavy rain and or catch fire from the disposal of cigarettes.

     Both types of new waste separation bins will be distributed to residential, commercial and industrial sites through the Promotion Programme on Source Separation of Domestic Waste launched by the Environmental Campaign Committee (ECC). Plastic bins will be distributed to schools under the Waste Separation and Recycling Scheme in Schools.

     To encourage and facilitate waste separation by the public, the Environment Protection Department proposes, and the ECC supports, to extend the distribution of the waste separation bins to recyclable collection points (RCPs) set up by the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) at public places.

     "The bins will be distributed to designated RCPs through liaison with the FEHD, Home Affairs Department and District Councils," Mr Yau said..
 
     Ends/Saturday, December 13, 2008
     Issued at HKT 16:54.
 

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「新三色，你要识」新一代分类回收桶启用（附图）
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　　环境局局长邱腾华今日（十二月十三日）主持「新三色，你要识」新设计分类回收桶启用典礼，仪式在钻石山龙蟠苑举行。

　　邱腾华说：「新设计的三色分类回收桶有两款，分别由金属和塑胶制成，适应不同建筑物和地点的需要。」

　　金属制的回收桶由不锈钢制成，体积较小，将被放于室内。塑胶制回收桶由聚乙烯制成，容量较大，放置室外，既符合成本效益，亦可防止盗窃。

　　邱腾华说：「新塑胶制回收桶不单更加耐用，亦可回收再造。」

　　新塑胶制回收桶的桶口较大，可接收各种废纸、金属和塑胶，而且装有自动闭合的桶盖，桶身铸上可回收物料的图案，桶底有去水孔，这些装置除了更加便利使用者，亦可避免桶内在大雨期间积水、或者因有人随意丢弃烟头而导致火警。

　　环境保护运动委员会（环保会）将透过「废物源头分类推广计划」向各屋苑及工商业楼宇派发两款新回收桶，并透过「学校废物分类及回收计划」向各中小学派发塑胶制新回收桶。

　　为鼓励公众参与废物分类，并提供相关设施，环境保护署建议将废物分类回收桶的派发地点扩展至食物环境卫生署（食环署）在公众地方设立的回收点，环保会亦支持该建议。

　　邱腾华说：「透过与食环署、民政事务总署和区议会联系，新回收桶会被派发至指定的回收点。」

２００８年１２月１３日（星期六）
香港时间１６时５３分