Waste charging scheme in Hong Kong

Abstract

The purpose of the report is to predict the effectiveness of the Domestic Solid Waste Charging in Hong Kong and analyze the factors affecting the willingness to pay by using the contingent valuation approach. The sample size of the survey is 70 people. The willingness to pay and consumer surplus of respondents for this scheme is HKD 11.6 and HKD 3.36, respectively. Regrading factors that affect willingness to pay, we have summarized that the people who have high education level, younger age and more eco-friendly thought have a higher willingness to pay. After the IPAT analysis, it is predicted that the waste charging scheme can achieve the waste reduction by 15.2% in 2024. From the social perspective, the scheme would increase the financial burden of the unprivileged, raise public awareness and improve the quality of life. From the environmental perspective, the scheme would reduce the burden of landfills, encourage the green technology development, cause hygienic and pollution problems. Enforcement difficulties may occur due to the existence of blind spots. The subsidies may lower the effectiveness of waste reduction. It is suggested the government to consider the feasibility of rewarding and reporting systems.