Replies to LegCo questions
LCQ16: Regular collection of used clothes in public places
Following is a question by the Hon Lau Kong- Wah and a written reply by the Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food, Dr Yeoh Eng-kiong, in the Legislative Council today (December 10):
Question:
It is learnt that some organisations regularly collect used clothes in public places and then resell them for profit. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council whether :
(a) it knows the number of organisations which regularly collect used clothes in public places, and how many of them are tax-exempt charities; and
(b) the relevant authorities are regulating the collection of used clothes in public places; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?
Reply:
(a) According to the information available, 15 organisations have set up collection points for used clothes in public places with the permission of the Lands Department. Of these, six organisations are charities exempted from tax under section 88 of the Inland Revenue Ordinance.
(b) It is the Government's policy to promote waste recycling. We do not impose permit/licensing controls on recycling activities. Nevertheless, organisations which intend to organise recycling activities in public places, such as the collection of used clothes, should obtain prior approval from the Lands Department for temporary occupation of Government land. After receiving the applications, the Lands Department will seek advice from relevant bureaux and departments and set out the requisite conditions for these organisations before granting approval.
Under the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance and the Lands (Miscellaneous Provisions) Ordinance, action has been taken against unauthorised collection points for used clothes. In the past 12 months, the Lands Department cleared 46 such collection points. Between January 1 and October 31, 2003, the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department seized 198 metal cages put in public places to collect used clothes which were found to be causing obstructions to scavenging operations.
Any person who commits a fraudulent act, including the collection of recyclable goods for pecuniary advantage by way of false claims, is liable to prosecution for criminal offences. In the past 12 months, no complaint has been made to the Police regarding fraud, deception or theft by collectors of used clothes.
Ends/Wednesday, December 10, 2003
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