HONG KONG, Aug. 21 (Xinhua) -- A local recycling firm has been prosecuted and was fined on Tuesday for importing hazardous electronic waste (e-waste) from the United States, China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government said.
Staff of the HKSAR government's Environmental Protection Department (EPD), with the assistance of the customs, intercepted an imported container from the United States at the Kwai Chung Container Terminals in April this year. The container was claimed to contain computer parts, but upon inspection it was found to be loaded with hazardous e-waste, the EPD said in a press release.
The e-waste comprised waste printed circuit boards with a market value of about 360,000 Hong Kong dollars (about 46,000 U.S. dollars).
The intercepted container was immediately returned to the place of origin. The EPD notified the foreign enforcement authorities concerned about the return shipment and instigated prosecution against the importer, a local recycling company.
The company was fined 20,000 Hong Kong dollars (about 2,550 U.S. dollars) at Fanling Magistrates' Courts on Tuesday for contravening the HKSAR's Waste Disposal Ordinance (WDO).
Dismantled or destroyed PCBs are classified as chemical waste and are regulated under the existing laws on chemical waste disposal, a EPD spokesman said, adding that to protect the environment, the EPD rigorously combats the illegal import and export activities of hazardous waste.
According to the WDO, it is an offence for anyone to import or export hazardous waste unless obtaining a valid permit beforehand. First-time offenders are liable to a maximum fine of 200,000 Hong Kong dollars (about 25,500 U.S. dollars) and six months' imprisonment. For subsequent offences, offenders are liable to a maximum fine of 500,000 Hong Kong dollars (about 63,700 U.S. dollars) and two years' imprisonment.
