The Producer Responsibility Scheme on Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE), or in short WPRS, came into effect today (August 1).  It covers air-conditioners, refrigerators, washing machines, televisions, computers, printers, scanners and monitors (collectively referred to as regulated electrical equipment, or REE).  Today marks another important milestone in Hong Kong's waste reduction and recycling efforts, and the scheme facilitates the collection of WEEE generated locally for proper recycling and turning them into resources.
 
     The Secretary for the Environment, Mr Wong Kam-sing, and the Chairman of the Hong Kong and Kowloon Electrical Appliances Merchants Association, Dr David Mong, today visited a few REE retail stores in a shopping mall in Causeway Bay.  During the visit, they spoke to some frontline staff of the retail stores to learn more about their operation on the first day of the implementation of the WPRS.
 
     Mr Wong said, "Producer responsibility schemes are built upon the concept of 'eco-responsibility', where different stakeholders along the supply chain share the responsibility for proper treatment and recycling of the concerned products.  This requires the shared responsibility and concerted efforts by all parties, including suppliers and sellers of the products, as well as consumers."
 
     Starting today, REE sellers are required to arrange free statutory removal service for customers who purchase a new item of REE. This service aims at facilitating members of the public to properly recycle the REE that they intend to abandon.  The REE sellers must also provide consumers with the corresponding recycling label alongside the sold REE and a receipt showing the prescribed wording on the recycling levies, which serve to show that the purchased REE is distributed under the WPRS. The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) has asked the operator of the Government’s WEEE Treatment and Recycling Facility (WEEE‧PARK) to fully gear up and provide additional manpower to attain its performance pledge for collecting the waste equipment three working days after receipt of the service request from the sellers. The EPD will continue to closely monitor the operation of the operator, and if situation warrants, ask the operator to adjust its logistics fleet and manpower to meet the service demand of sellers and consumers. If the date on which the consumer and seller agree to arrange the delivery of a new item and the removal of an item of waste equipment is three workings days after the date of purchase, no extra fee should be payable to the seller.
 
     Mr Wong said, "The operation of the new scheme is generally smooth. We appreciate that during the early stage of implementation, it may take time for members of the public and the trade to get accustomed to the new arrangements and the operational flow. The EPD will meet with representatives of the trade in due course to review the implementation details of the scheme and consider if there is any room for improvement. Meanwhile, if we have identified any non-compliance with the legal requirements on the part of the sellers or its staff, such as providing misleading information to the consumers in respect of the time required for arranging the statutory removal service, the EPD will follow up with investigation and take necessary enforcement actions."
 
     As at July 31, 2018 immediately before the commencement of the law, the EPD had received 2 562 applications for endorsement of removal service plans (RSP) by REE sellers, of which 1 754 had been approved. In parallel, 219 applications had been received for registration as suppliers, of which 173 had been approved. Those cases that are still being processed were only received in the preceding week: most of RSP endorsement applications are made by small-scale computer sellers and small works contractors involved in the installation and dismantling of air-conditioners; whereas most of the applications for registration as suppliers are made by small-scale computer suppliers. The EPD will complete processing these applications as soon as possible.
 
     With commencement of the legislation, the EPD has commenced its enforcement efforts including inspections at shops suspected of breaching the law and which have not submitted applications.  If members of the public have any questions or complaints on the implementation arrangement of the WPRS, they can call the EPD's dedicated hotline 2310 0223. 
 
     In addition, to protect the environment, the Government urges members of the public to make good use of the statutory removal service to ensure collection of the waste equipment for proper recycling and turning them into resources.  If a member of the public needs to dispose of a waste equipment and is not purchasing a new REE, he or she may call the recycling hotline 2676 8888 to make an appointment for free collection service.  Please however note that the schedule of appointment may take longer as the WEEE‧PARK operator will accord higher priority to collection requests for statutory removal service.
 
     Since its initial operation in October 2017 and full commissioning in March 2018, the WEEE‧PARK has processed a total of 4 500 tonnes of WEEE cumulatively.  With the implementation of the WPRS, we believe the amount of WEEE processed by the WEEE‧PARK will increase progressively, helping to ensure that WEEE generated locally are properly recycled and turned into resources.

      

     Police are investigating a fatal traffic accident in Lantau South this afternoon (August 1) in which a 64-year-old man died.

     At about 4.25pm, a private car driven by a 60-year-old man was travelling along South Lantau Road towards Tai O. When approaching near Cheung Sha Fire Station, it reportedly crashed into a kerb, bounced back and rammed into the hillside.

     Sustaining serious head injuries, the 64-year-old male passenger was rushed to North Lantau Hospital in unconscious state and was certified dead at 5.42pm. The 60-year-old male driver suffered from chest pain and was sent to North Lantau Hospital in conscious state and later transferred to Princess Margaret Hospital.

     The driver was arrested for dangerous driving causing death and is being detained for further enquiries.

     Investigation by the Special Investigation Team of Traffic, New Territories South is underway.

     Anyone who witnessed the accident or has any information to offer is urged to contact the investigating officers on 3661 1300 or 3661 1348.

     Correctional officers stopped four remand persons in custody from assaulting another remand person in custody at Lai Chi Kok Reception Centre today (Aug 1).
 
     At 2.25pm, four male persons in custody attacked another male person in custody inside the dayroom. Officers at the scene immediately stopped the assailants.
 
     The victim sustained head and chest injuries. After examination and treatment by the medical officer of the institution hospital, he was transferred to a public hospital for further treatment.
 
     The case has been reported to the Police for investigation.
 
     The four assailants were remanded for the offence of burglary and trafficking in dangerous drug respectively.
 

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     The Hospital Authority (HA) spokesperson today (August 1) announced that in response to the earlier announcement by the Department of Health (DH) on the recall of the anti-hypertensive drug Valtensin (80mg tablets and 160mg tablets, containing the active drug ingredient valsartan) as it was found to contain an impurity, N-nitrosodimethylamine, an optional drug replacement will be offered to public hospital patients.
  
     Starting from this Saturday (August 4), the HA will arrange drug replacement counters at 18 designated public hospitals for two weeks for public hospital patients who had been dispensed with the drug Valtensin on or before July 6 to opt for replacement with alternative supply of valsartan tablets from other suppliers.
 
     The spokesperson pointed out that all public hospitals have already ceased to dispense the drug concerned, Valtensin (80 mg tablets and 160mg tablets), from July 6 in response to the DH recall. According to the assessment of clinical experts, there is no immediate risk to patients in continued intake of the drug. The experts are also of the view that an abrupt stop in taking the drug might cause an adverse effect on the patient's condition. Hence, patients who were dispensed with the drug are recommended to not stop taking it until they attend their next follow-up consultations, in which the patients would be prescribed the appropriate replacement medication after medical assessment.
 
     "The HA has recently secured adequate quantities of alternative supplies from overseas, which is sufficient to replace the quantities previously dispensed to patients. Therefore, patients can now opt for drug replacement before their next follow-up appointment," the spokesperson said.
     
     "Patients who choose to replace their drugs on hand should bring along their ID card with the drugs (see photos), or ask their delegate to bring along a copy of the patient's ID card and the drugs on hand, and go to any of the 18 designated counters as listed below during the period from August 4 to 17 for drug replacement after verification by the pharmacist on their respective dispensing records. No payment is required for the drug replacement."
 
     The spokesperson stressed that since the drug replacement service will last for two weeks from 9am to 9pm on a daily basis, patients can take their time to visit for drug replacement. Furthermore, patients who have their follow-up appointments at clinics in outlying islands will individually be notified on the drug replacement arrangements. The HA will also continue to closely liaise with the DH on the matter. 
 
     The 18 designated drug replacement counters are listed below:
 

 
Drug replacement period: August 4 (Saturday) to August 17 (Friday)
Service hours: 9am to 9pm daily

        

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     The spokesperson of Caritas Medical Centre made the following announcement today (August 1):
 
     Three female children (aged 7 to 12) with history of chronic illnesses residing in the Paediatric Developmental Disabilities Unit of Caritas Medical Centre presented with gastroenteritis symptoms including diarrhoea and fever since July 24. Laboratory tests were arranged and revealed positive results for Sapovirus. One of the children suffering from multiple chronic systemic illnesses passed away on July 27 due to a complication of septic shock. The other two are being treated under isolation with stable condition.
 
     The transmission of Sapovirus is mainly through the faecal-oral route. The symptoms of Sapovirus include vomiting, diarrhoea, nausea, abdominal cramps, chills, headache, myalgia and malaise. A healthy person would normally recover within a few days after being infected with the virus. However, severe complications may occur in persons with chronic illnesses.
 
     Admission to the ward has been suspended. The children's relatives have been informed about the situation. Infection control measures of the ward have been stepped up according to the established guidelines. All other children and staff in the ward are under close surveillance.
 
     The cases have been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection for necessary follow-up.