Hong Kong authorities are moving to restrict the disposal of bulk high liquid content waste, including expired beverages, personal care products, and discarded detergents, in landfills. The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) stated it has been engaging with industry stakeholders since early this year to “progressively reduce” such waste entering landfills and to promote alternative treatment and recycling methods.

The new initiative aims to protect local waters and coastal areas from the risk of toxic leaks caused by leachate — a concentrated wastewater generated when rainwater filters through decomposing waste at landfill sites. Leachate poses environmental hazards including water pollution and increased carbon emissions during treatment, as well as threats to landfill structural stability. In 2025, approximately 1,500 tonnes of high liquid content waste, equivalent to six million 250ml drink cartons, were sent to landfills in Hong Kong.

Under the current system, companies must obtain admission tickets before disposing of high liquid waste at the two designated landfill sites. The waste targeted by the proposed measures includes unopened or expired packaged liquids such as sauces, ice cream, milk, make-up, body wash, as well as certain construction materials like paint and concrete additives. Municipal solid waste from household or commercial outlets is excluded from the new restrictions.

An EPD spokeswoman explained that the department encourages treatment of these wastes through sewage treatment plants or designated food and chemical waste facilities to avoid landfill disposal altogether. Final details and timelines for implementation are pending ongoing consultations.

The department is also considering applications for funding to assist recyclers in acquiring equipment necessary to handle this type of waste. Additionally, it encourages companies to better manage inventory to reduce product expiration and to donate intact, usable items to charities.

Environmental experts have welcomed the proposed measures. Chung Shan-shan, a research fellow at the Polytechnic University’s civil and environmental engineering department, described the move as timely. She noted that although landfills have leachate treatment capacities, these can be exceeded by large volumes of liquid waste, increasing the risk of environmental spillages. Such incidents can lead to algae blooms, foul odors, harm to aquatic life, and damage to nearby oyster farms and coral reefs.

Chung also emphasized the importance of monitoring sewage treatment plant capacities to ensure effective processing of diverted waste and preventing leachate discharge from exceeding safe limits.

The retail sector has expressed concerns over the potential rise in recycling expenses and labor costs associated with segregating and processing liquid waste, warning that such increases could ultimately be passed on to consumers. Lam Chi-chung, general officer of the Hong Kong Department Stores and Commercial Staff General Union, called for clearer government guidelines and the establishment of a centralized processing facility to help reduce costs.

There is also apprehension that higher disposal costs might drive some businesses to illegally dump waste into waterways. Government data shows that between March 2025 and March 2026, 15 companies and individuals were convicted under the Water Pollution Control Ordinance for unlawful discharge or pollution of waste materials.

As discussions continue, the EPD maintains its goal to support industry efforts in reducing waste generation and ensuring environmentally responsible disposal, with further details on the implementation plan to be announced in due course.