Hong Kong's Environmental Protection Department has proposed a new application fee for those wanting authorization to dispose of imported non-hazardous waste.

An EPD spokesman said in a press statement that the new application fee was part of a move to tighten controls on the disposal of imported non-hazardous waste under section 20DA of the Waste Disposal Ordinance. The new fee will take effect on April 1, 2008.

Under the new control regime, any person who intends to dispose of any imported non-hazardous waste at the designated waste disposal facilities, such as landfills, must apply for authorization from the director of Environmental Protection. An application for authorization will be accompanied by a fee, which is set at HK$11,250, to cover the full administrative cost of processing the application. The applicant has also to bear the full cost of waste disposal at the department's waste facilities if authorization is given.