5 March 2007 – The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) announced that eight intercepted containers of electronic waste (e-waste) namely waste computer monitors and television sets with cathode ray tubes (CRTs) were returned to Japan last Saturday (March 3). "It is the result of the collaborating efforts of the EPD and the Customs and Excise Department (CED) of Hong Kong, and the counterpart authority of Japan in sharing information, intelligence and taking joint action," a spokesman for the EPD said.

The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) announced that eight intercepted containers of electronic waste (e-waste) namely waste computer monitors and television sets with cathode ray tubes (CRTs) were returned to Japan last Saturday (March 3).

"It is the result of the collaborating efforts of the EPD and the Customs and Excise Department (CED) of Hong Kong, and the counterpart authority of Japan in sharing information, intelligence and taking joint action," a spokesman for the EPD said.

The return of the waste is made with the agreement of the Ministry of Environment of Japan on the understanding that the waste import in question was in violation of the Waste Disposal Ordinance (WDO) in Hong Kong.

In early February, EPD received intelligence on a dubious shipment from Japan.

With the assistance of the Ministry of Environment and the shipping company involved, EPD found that the shipment in question involved eight containers containing e-waste.

The CED detained the containers on February 12. Detailed inspection by EPD revealed a total of about 131 tonnes of e-waste improperly packed and loosely stacked in the containers.

"The concerned shipping company assisted greatly in the investigation and enforcement work," the spokesman said.

"EPD will take appropriate legal actions against the responsible parties in Hong Kong under the WDO," he said.

CRT waste is hazardous waste subject to control of the WDO. Transboundary movement of CRT waste is also governed by the international Basel Convention on control over transboundary movement of hazardous waste.

"EPD, as the competent authority of the convention for Hong Kong, has been seeking increased collaboration with the overseas counterparts to strengthen control over transboundary movement of e-waste," he added. For example, earlier this year in February, with the assistance of the Netherlands' environmental authority, four containers of waste computer monitors with CRTs were prevented from importing into Hong Kong.

Import or export of hazardous e-waste without a valid permit issued by the EPD is an offence under the WDO. Offenders are liable to a maximum fine of $200,000 and six months' imprisonment for the first offence.