Is Hong Kong landfill full?
In the densely populated Hong Kong, waste is a complex issue. The territory generates around 6.4 million tons of waste each year but is able to collect and process only a minimal portion of recyclable waste. By 2019, its existing landfills are expected to be full.
How serious is the waste problem in Hong Kong?
LOWEST in the last 20 years. We are throwing away 11,428 tonnes of municipal solid waste into our landfills per day, or 4.17 millions tonnes per year. ​Per capita, we are throwing away 1.53kg of waste per day. Almost double of that Tokyo, and currently, we are solely reliant on three landfills.
How many landfills are in Hong Kong?
Restored landfills. There are 13 closed landfills in Hong Kong and their restoration works were completed between 1997 and 2006 to minimise their potential adverse impacts to the environment and to render them safe for beneficial use.
What makes the waste problem in Hong Kong worse?
Completely inadequate recycling facilities, lack of effort to reduce waste at source by manufacturers and businesses, lack of policy, and irresponsible consumer behaviour have already taken the trash issue to an unsustainable point in Hong Kong for years.
What are the problems with landfills?
The three main problems with landfill are toxins, leachate and greenhouse gases. Organic waste produces bacteria which break the rubbish down. The decaying rubbish produces weak acidic chemicals which combine with liquids in the waste to form leachate and landfill gas.
What are the solid wastes generated in Hong Kong?
Food waste is the major constituent of the municipal solid waste in Hong Kong. It comprises waste produced during food production, processing, wholesale, retail and preparation, as well as after meal leftovers and expired foods.
How much waste is in Hong Kong?
Current Status. At present, most of Hong Kong’s food waste is disposed of at landfills together with other municipal solid waste (MSW). In 2020, there were some 10,809 tonnes of MSW disposed of at landfills each day. Of these, about 3,255 tonnes (30%) were food waste, constituting the largest MSW category.
What is the biggest problem with landfills?
The most pressing environmental concern regarding landfills is their release of methane gas. As the organic mass in landfills decompose methane gas is released.
How do landfills pollute groundwater?
Once in the landfill, chemicals can leach into the ground water by means of precipitation and sur- face runoff. New landfills are required to have clay or synthetic liners and leachate (liquid from a landfill containing contaminants) collection sys- tems to protect ground water.
Why are landfills a problem?
Social Impact of Landfills Large landfills, on average, decrease the value of the land adjacent to it by 12.9%. Smaller landfills depress land values less, with around a 2.5% reduction, but still have an impact. Landfills bring hazards such as odor, smoke, noise, bugs, and water supply contamination.
Why are landfills environmentally harmful?
Almost 2/3rd of landfill waste is biodegradable. This waste rots and decomposes, and produces harmful gases (CO2 and Methane) which are both greenhouse gases and contribute to global warming. Landfills also pollute the local environment, including the water and the soil.
Can landfills cause water pollution?
The leachate from Municipal Solid waste landfills is a highly concentrated “chemical soup”, so concentrated that small amounts of leachate can pollute large amounts of groundwater, leaving it unsuitable for domestic water use.