Kwai Chung Incineration Plant

Kwai Chung Incineration Plant, with Rambler Channel Bridge at front
Rambler Channel, Kwai Chung Incineration Plant (centre) with Hong Kong Island in the background.

Kwai Chung Incineration Plant (Chinese: 葵涌焚化爐) was one of four incineration plants in Hong Kong. The plant was built on a 1.4 hectares (3.5 acres) of reclaimed land along Gin Drinkers Bay, Kwai Chung, near Pillar Island and the Rambler Channel.

The plant was opened in 1978 to process solid waste from Hong Kong to reduce the need to put waste into landfills.

Cessation of operation

In 1989, the Hong Kong Government issued a white paper, Pollution in Hong Kong - A Time to Act. After considering the effects of air pollution on the environment and public health, it was decided to cease using incineration to dispose of solid waste. This decision was later suspended and, as of 2008, the Hong Kong Government is considering constructing new incinerators.[1]

In May 1997, the Kwai Chung Incineration Plant ceased to operate, the last of Hong Kong's four plants to do so:[2]

Demolition

Although the plant ceased operation in 1997, it was not completely demolished. The site was found to be contaminated with dioxin, furan, asbestos, heavy metals and petroleum hydrocarbons. Special procedures were required during demolition.

Demolition of the building and 150-metre-high (490 ft) chimney was initiated in 2007.[3]

The site cleanup preceded the demolition to clean up potential toxins and for future development of the site.[4]

See also

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Kwai Chung Incineration Plant.
  1. ↑ Incinerator The Best Option For Hong Kong Rubbish - Blog entry by Clear the Air, January 2008
  2. ↑ FAQ on incineration from the webpage of The Hong Kong Environmental Protection Department
  3. ↑ Kwai Chung Incineration Plant Demolition and Decontamination Works , Contract on the demolition
  4. ↑ http://www.cedd.gov.hk/eng/about/organisation/org_sdw.htm

Coordinates: 22°21′30″N 114°06′58″E / 22.3583°N 114.1160°E / 22.3583; 114.1160

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