Is Macao's current waste management situation optimistic, why, and what are your recommendations to the government?
Member of the Legislative Council of Macao, Li Liangwang: At present, food waste accounts for about 40% of the total amount of solid waste in Macao. In addition to the "Macao Environmental Protection Plan (2021-2025)" proposed in the "Macao Environmental Protection Plan (2021-2025)", the Macao SAR Government also continues to encourage qualified organisations to set up their own food waste disposal machines to treat food waste locally, so as to reduce transportation costs and reduce possible traffic and pollution problems to the community. In 2023, 680.97 tonnes of food waste was collected through various food waste recycling programmes, a significant increase compared with the previous food waste collection amount, indicating that the participation of different sectors of the community is also increasing.
However, in order to enhance the effectiveness of "waste reduction and resource recovery at source", the HKSAR Government must continue to optimize its current work. In terms of handling methods, the HKSAR Government also plans to launch the Food Waste Treatment Equipment Subsidy Scheme in 2017 to subsidise eligible organisations to purchase food waste treatment machines and related auxiliary equipment. However, last year, it stated that "in view of the current economic situation and social environment of the HKSAR, it is necessary to comprehensively consider and enhance the relevant subsidy scheme". At the same time, for the planned construction of private buildings, it is recommended to use the above schemes as a favourable factor to encourage developers to reserve space for the installation of food waste treatment equipment and further increase the number of on-site food waste treatment sites.
On household food waste recycling, since April 2021, the authorities have collected more than 30,795 kilograms of household food waste through a number of green plus fun stations under the Administration, and by the end of February 2024, more than 30,795 kilograms of domestic food waste had been collected. The work has achieved certain results, and it is suggested that the authorities can pilot the scheme in social housing in Macao through inter-departmental collaboration in the future, and gradually extend it to economic housing and private housing estates, so as to gradually expand the household food waste recycling network.
Associate Professor Song Qingbin, Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Macau University of Science and Technology: As early as the implementation of the "Macao Environmental Protection Plan (2010-2020)", the Macao Environmental Protection Bureau realized that solid waste management is one of the biggest environmental challenges facing Macao, and formulated the "Macao Solid Waste Resources Management Plan (2017-2026)". At the same time, the "Macao Environmental Protection Plan (2021-2025)" also points out that "solid waste management problems are prominent, and reduction and recycling need to be strengthened urgently". At present, the Environmental Protection Bureau of Macao has taken a series of measures to solve the problem of waste disposal, such as the "Restriction on the Supply of Plastic Bags", "Construction Waste Management System", "Prohibition of Import and Transfer of Non-degradable Plastic Disposable Catering Straws and Disposable Beverage Stirring Sticks to the Macao Special Administrative Region", etc., and has carried out rich and effective source recycling and disposal activities especially for food waste, electronic appliances, battery tubes, paper, metals, plastics, glass, etc.
On the whole, Macao's waste treatment work is stable and improving, and on the basis of focusing on promoting source reduction and emission reduction, and striving to achieve safe management and harmless disposal of various environmental problems, especially in the advanced treatment and resource utilization of waste, such as the construction of the third phase of the waste incinerator, the organic resource recovery center and the pre-treatment facilities for various types of resource waste, and continuously improving the capacity and resource utilization rate of solid waste treatment and recycling. At the same time, in terms of waste management, we have actively carried out the promotion of polluters' own pay schemes, and have implemented a construction waste charging system, and are also studying a special and hazardous waste treatment charging system, and an extended producer responsibility system for electronic and electrical products. However, it should still be noted that due to the limitation of geographical area, Macao still lacks advanced treatment facilities for resource waste (e-waste and used motor vehicles), especially in the recycling of construction waste and landfill space. In the future, it is suggested that the advantages of the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin can be fully utilized, and the opportunity of the in-depth integration of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area can be seized to promote regional synergy to solve various waste problems.
Ip Tsz Hang, Consultant, Association for Sustainable Development: At present, Macau's waste disposal methods are incinerated or landfilled, which is not environmentally friendly, so I think the current waste treatment situation in Macau is not optimistic. To reduce the generation of waste or turn waste into treasure, Macao's environmental protection industry needs to be developed, and the development of environmental protection technology can also be exported, and the technology will be radiated to the Bay Area.
"Waste reduction at source, upcycling" is an effective way to deal with waste, such as Chazence, a start-up brand that turns tea residues into treasures and turns them into paper and building materials through patented technology. Should the government introduce some favorable policies to encourage more enterprises to engage in the environmental protection industry? The use of science and technology to recycle waste products to promote environmental protection can also develop the environmental protection technology industry, and transform technology into services that can be exported to the Greater Bay Area or Portuguese-speaking countries, and at the same time promote Macao's economic diversification.
According to relevant information, food waste accounts for about 3 to 40% of the total amount of municipal solid waste, and due to its large quantity, it is difficult to completely and properly dispose of it through a single method, so it is necessary to adopt a variety of means including on-site treatment, centralized treatment and food wise promotion. The Environmental Protection Bureau (EPB) promotes food waste reduction and food waste recycling. At the same time, should we also think about how to improve the capacity of Macao's food waste to be environmentally friendly, and promote the recycling of food waste, such as converting it into energy?
Cheng Chun Yue, President of Macau Green and Low-Carbon Industry Association: As far as the current waste treatment situation is concerned, I think the situation is not too optimistic, mainly due to the following reasons:
First, the amount of garbage generated continues to increase. With the continuous growth of population and tourism, the annual production of domestic waste and construction waste in Macao has increased year by year, putting heavy pressure on the existing waste treatment facilities.
Second, the participation rate of garbage classification is low. Although Macao has initially implemented a waste sorting plan, due to the lack of effective reward and punishment mechanisms and publicity and education, citizens' enthusiasm for participation is not high, which affects the recycling rate of resources.
3. The treatment facilities are outdated and backward. Most of the existing facilities such as waste incinerators and landfills in Macao have been in operation for decades, and their technical equipment is relatively backward, and the treatment efficiency and environmental protection level need to be improved.
Fourth, there is a lack of cross-border cooperation mechanisms. Due to the lack of a regional solid waste treatment cooperation mechanism, it is difficult for Macao to cope with the pressure with the diversion of treatment facilities in neighboring cities.
To address this situation, I suggest that the Macao SAR Government can take the following measures:
1. Intensify publicity and education, promote the concept of waste reduction and classification, and encourage the public to actively participate.
2. Establish a strong reward and punishment mechanism, strictly punish violators, and give substantial rewards to participants.
3. Strive for the support of the central government, make full use of the opportunity of cooperation in Hengqin, and join hands with other cities in the Pearl River Delta to establish regional solid waste treatment facilities.
Fourth, increase investment, the introduction of advanced solid waste treatment technology and equipment, improve the efficiency of treatment and environmental protection.
5. Explore the development of a circular economy, promote the resource utilization of solid waste, and reduce the amount of final burial or incineration.
In short, proper disposal of solid waste is a key part of Macao's sustainable development, which requires the government to formulate a scientific long-term plan and put it into strong implementation actions.