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Hong Kong’s solely drinks carton recycler might face months of delays in a relocation plan, citing uncertainties over funding and elevated prices which might be “far past expectations” because it prepares to droop actions this week.
Pulp plant Mil Mill final month introduced it could transfer to a brand new web site in Fanling after the government-backed Hong Kong Science and Know-how Parks Company required it to vacate Yuen Lengthy Industrial Property.
Govt director of the recycler Harold Yip Man-ki mentioned it had deliberate to renew treating drink cartons in late December, however the course of had fallen delayed due to funding issues.
“We’d deliberate to finish the transfer with HK$5 million [US$639,360] to HK$6 million. However all issues thought of, the fee rose to HK$10 million,” Yip informed the Put up.
“Machines are usually not the most costly half. It’s set up, corresponding to piping and infrastructure for water and electrical energy provides.”
He mentioned the plant aimed to restart operations after Lunar New 12 months in February “on the newest”.
Mil Mill, Hong Kong’s science park make breakthrough in shifting recycling plant
Mil Mill, Hong Kong’s science park make breakthrough in shifting recycling plant
The corporate will proceed receiving drinks cartons within the meantime, however can solely start treating them as soon as the machines on the new web site are prepared. Yip mentioned the recycler had utilized for a number of grants to bolster money move.
The brand new manufacturing unit in Ping Che, Fanling, can have a flooring space of about 30,000 sq ft, twice that of the present Yuen Lengthy web site. However the lease will likely be double what Mil Mill has been paying, in keeping with Yip.
He mentioned the brand new web site was not prepared to be used and will solely present fundamental wants at current, with an inadequate electrical energy provide forcing him to section out some outdated machines.
“It was already probably the most appropriate web site among the many dozen we selected from. We didn’t have a lot time to buy round.”
Yip and enterprise accomplice Nigel Lo Chi-chung began their firm in 2019. The recycler treats about 3 tonnes of drink cartons and 10 tonnes of different paper waste day by day, turning them into merchandise corresponding to tissue paper, cardboard and cat litter.
The method of recycling drinks cartons is more difficult than that of different paper merchandise, because the containers are encased in a number of layers of polythene and aluminium for water resistance and sturdiness. The additional work wanted to interrupt down the coatings reduces the revenue margin.
Final September, the corporate was informed to vacate its Yuen Lengthy premises by December 31, earlier than being granted a grace interval as much as June 30 this yr. The deadline was additional prolonged to September 30.
The order by landlord Hong Kong Science and Know-how Parks Company prompted months of uncertainty for Mil Mill because it sought a brand new residence.
Throughout that interval, Singapore approached the corporate with a proposal to assist discover a new web site within the metropolis state.
Hong Kong’s solely drinks carton recycler supplied 3 new websites by authorities
Hong Kong’s solely drinks carton recycler supplied 3 new websites by authorities
However Yip earlier mentioned his hope was to proceed serving Hong Kong.
He added that the corporate had mentioned with some native lodge chains about upcycling used bedsheets and uniforms. It was additionally taking a look at making an attempt to repurpose plastic coatings, beforehand disposed of as waste, into constructing supplies and furnishings, he mentioned.
Mil Mill will on Sunday maintain a farewell open day on the Yuen Lengthy plant. Guests can deliver recyclables, corresponding to waste paper, magazines and newspapers, to see how the pulping course of works.
The Environmental Safety Division on Friday mentioned it “actively collaborated” with numerous authorities departments and offered info on short-term tenancy websites when Mil Mill requested for assist in the relocation final yr.
The division mentioned it was drafting a legislative proposal for a producer accountability scheme on plastic drinks containers and cartons, which it aimed to implement in 2025.
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