Municipal Solid Waste Charging

Implementation of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) Charging by the Government will be rolled out soon. Property management companies and practitioners should play the role of a coordinator, determining the applicable mode of charging for the managed property soonest possible, and assisting stakeholders such as owners’ organisation, households and cleansing contractors to understand and comply with relevant legislation in preparation for MSW Charging.

"How Should the Property Management Industry Implement Municipal Solid Waste Charging" Leaflet
(English version to be uploaded later)

What is MSW Charging

How does it work

Why implement MSW Charging

In line with the "polluter-pays" principle, the waste disposed of by all sectors in Hong Kong will be subject to charging based on its quantity to drive behavioural changes in waste generation within the community that leads to waste reduction at source and clean recycling practice, hence reducing the overall waste disposal amount.

MSW charging covers the following waste:

Domestic waste (e.g. household waste and waste generated from daily activities in institutional premises.); and
Commercial and Industrial waste (e.g. waste generated from shops, restaurants, shopping malls, hotels, offices, markets and all industrial activities).

Construction waste, chemical waste and clincial waste are not subject to MSW charging regime but are subject to their existing charging regimes.

Enhance waste reduction and recycling
Help reduce carbon emissions
Create green job opportunities

Overall speaking, property management companies and practitioners may assist in implementing MSW Charging in the following three areas:

MSW Charging mode
Communal waste reception areas (including reviewing number and position of litter containers in common areas)
Waste collection / Handling procedures and arrangements
Arrangements for handling non-compliant waste
Arrangements for the supply of designated bags/labels
Arrangements for charges generated by handling oversized waste, common area waste and non-compliant waste and apportionment
Arrangements for opening "gate-fee" billing accounts
Enhancing / Addition of recycling facilities and collection arrangements

Assisting frontline staff in getting ready
1. Formulating codes and guidelines
2. Staff training
Assisting households in getting ready
1. Publicity and education (explaining to households on MSW Charging mode, waste collection / handling procedures and arrangements, and relevant expenditure (handling oversized/non-compliant waste, designated bags in common areas)
2. Dissemination of information (erect thematic boards for MSW charging, disseminate information on MSW charging and waste reduction through different channels, provide locations of recycling facilities within or near the premises)
3. Set up feedback channels

Regular review
Perform inspection
Report on non-compliant cases
Continuous publicity and education

The Property Management Services Authority and Environmental Protection Department have jointly published the "Property Management Industry Preparation Menu on MSW Charging".

Training Video (Chinese Only)

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