The Secretariat of the Environment and Conservation Fund (ECF) Committee today (July 23) said that the ECF had approved 156 projects in relation to environmental and conservation matters, with a total grant of about $199 million, in 2018-19.

     The ECF provides funding to local non-profit-making organisations, including universities, schools, community bodies and green groups, to support their green projects and initiatives, which are categorised by nature, namely the Environmental Education and Community Action Projects, Community Waste Reduction Projects, Environmental Research, Technology Demonstration and Conference Projects and Nature Conservation Management Agreement Projects. Eligible organisations may keep in view the announcements from the ECF on its website (www.ecf.gov.hk/en/application/index.html) in 2019-20 and submit funding applications under the corresponding funding schemes.

     Details of the approved projects in 2018-19 are available on the ECF website www.ecf.gov.hk/en/approved/index.html.

     Two plastic recycling workshops in Yuen Long and Tuen Mun run by Hankang Recycling Limited and HK Bouteille Resources Recycling Business Company Limited respectively generated excessive noise and constantly emitted dark smoke, causing nuisance to residents nearby. The companies were convicted and fined a total of $11,000 at Fanling Magistrates' Courts on July 16 and today (July 23) for contravening the Noise Control Ordinance (NCO) and the Air Pollution Control Ordinance (APCO).

     In view of a recent increase in the number of complaints about pollution caused by outdoor plastic recycling workshops in the New Territories, and the issues about the poor operation of some plastic recycling workshops, their lack of environmental protection equipment and improper maintenance of their machinery, the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) enhanced law enforcement and inspections of such workshops. During an operation in January, EPD officers discovered that two plastic recycling workshops contravened regulations on pollution control. After collecting evidence, the EPD prosecuted the companies that operated the workshops. One workshop in Shan Ha Tsuen, Yuen Long, operated by Hankang Recycling Limited generated noise that exceeded statutory limits due to the lack of noise insulation equipment, contravening the NCO. On the other hand, the workshop in Lam Tei, Tuen Mun, run by HK Bouteille Resources Recycling Business Company Limited constantly emitted dark smoke from a chimney due to the poor operation of its diesel generator, contravening the Air Pollution Control (Smoke) Regulations. In addition to the above cases, two cases of the same nature involving plastic recycling workshops are being processed in court. Moreover, the EPD has issued abatement notices to nine other plastic recycling workshops, requesting them to reduce noise and gas emissions before statutory deadlines. The EPD will continue to follow up on these cases and initiate prosecutions against offenders.

     A spokesman for the EPD reminded operators of plastic recycling workshops that they must properly design their workshops, and install suitable and effective noise and air pollution control equipment to reduce noise and air pollutant emissions. They must also arrange for experienced technicians to carry out regular inspections and maintenance for their equipment. In addition to holding briefings in collaboration with the Secretariat of the Recycling Fund on guidance about the recycling of plastics, the EPD has produced a leaflet (attachment in Chinese only) to explain to members of the plastic recycling sector the related matters of environmental protection and the department's continuous enforcement to curb illegal activities.

     According to the NCO, anyone failing to comply with any requirement of an abatement notice commits an offence. First-time offenders may be liable to a fine of $100,000. A fine of $200,000 may be imposed on second or subsequent conviction. Under the Air Pollution Control (Smoke) Regulations, offenders may be liable to a fine of $20,000 on first conviction, and a fine of $20,000 and three months' imprisonment on second or subsequent conviction.

     The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Tuesday, July 23, 2019 is 105.2 (up 0.1 against yesterday's index).

     The Government announced today (July 23) the appointment of two new young members to the Museum Advisory Committee (MAC) and its standing sub-committees through the Member Self-recommendation Scheme for Youth from today until October 19, 2020, i.e. the end date of the current two-year term of existing members. In addition, two of the standing sub-committees under the MAC, namely the Art Sub-committee and the Science Sub-committee, appointed a total of three co-opted members from today until October 19, 2020.

     Chaired by Mr Stanley Wong Yuen-fai, the MAC and its three standing sub-committees advise the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) on strategies for development, promotion and management of the public museums. 

     The membership list and terms of reference of the MAC are as follows:

Chairperson
————-
Mr Stanley Wong Yuen-fai
 
Members
———-
Mr Aaron Raj Chandrasakaran* (appointed through the Member Self-recommendation Scheme for Youth)
Mr Victor Cheng Pat-leung
Ms Liza Cheung Lai-sang
Professor Ching Pak-chung
Ms Anita Fung Yuen-mei
Mrs Christine Ip Yeung See-ming
Ms Elaine Kwok
Mr Gyver Lau Kwok-leung
Professor Leung Wing-mo 
Mr Vincent Lo Wing-sang
Ms Anthea Lo Wing-sze
Ms Doris Luey Sisi
Professor Ricardo Mak King-sang
Professor Eva Man Kit-wah
Mr Rex Mok Chung-fai
Dr Ng Chun-hung 
Professor Ng Tai-kai
Mr David Pong Chun-yee
Ms Clara Shek Ka-lai
Mr Douglas So Cheung-tak
Ms Helen So Hiu-ming
Mr Eliott Hancock Suen* (appointed through the Member Self-recommendation Scheme for Youth)
Professor Joseph Ting Sun-pao
Ms Ada Wong Ying-kay
 
* Newly appointed Members
  
Terms of Reference
         
     To advise the Director of Leisure and Cultural Services on a wide range of subject matters concerning the public museums and related offices managed by the LCSD:
 

• positioning, image-building and branding;
• business development strategies including but not limited to acquisition and use of museum collections, organisation of exhibitions and education programmes, identification of research projects, sponsorship and partnership initiatives;
• marketing and publicity strategies on the promotion of the museums both locally, on the Mainland and overseas;
• development of community engagement strategies to reach out to a wider community and stakeholders (e.g. local artists, collectors, local and overseas museums, cultural organisations, and educational institutions);
• measures to strengthen the operational efficiency and accountability of public museums; and
• any other matters as proposed by the LCSD.

 
     The membership lists and terms of reference of the three standing sub-committees are attached in Annexes 1 to 3.

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:

     Exchange Fund Bills tender results:
 

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     Hong Kong Monetary Authority tenders to be held in the week beginning July 29: