12th September 2025 - (Hong Kong) The Ombudsman, Mr Jack Chan, announced today the conclusion of an investigation into the illegal disposal of construction waste and the "HoHoSkips" recycling service, resulting in 15 recommendations for the Environmental Protection Department (EPD).
Construction projects inherently generate substantial amounts of waste. Since the implementation of the Construction Waste Disposal Charging Scheme in 2006, producers are required to pay for waste disposal and ensure proper handling. However, ongoing media reports and public complaints highlight persistent illegal dumping of construction waste, which poses hazards to public safety and environmental hygiene. In response, the EPD has launched various initiatives, including a pilot scheme in February 2021, to facilitate proper waste disposal through the "HoHoSkips" mobile app, allowing users to book subsidised recycling services.
The investigation found that the EPD has made significant efforts to address illegal dumping, including the installation of surveillance cameras, the establishment of a drone fleet, increased patrols, and collaboration with other departments. Following a hike in fixed penalties from $1,500 to $6,000 in 2023, the volume of illegally disposed construction waste cleared by the Government decreased dramatically from 9,000 tonnes in 2017 to approximately 1,000 tonnes annually between 2022 and 2024. Additionally, confirmed cases of illegal disposal fell by 38%, from 4,612 in 2022 to 2,841 in 2024, reflecting the effectiveness of enforcement actions.
Mr Chan remarked, "The illegal disposal of construction waste has been a significant public concern. The improvements observed in recent years indicate the efficacy of the authorities' efforts. The usage rate of the 'HoHoSkips' service rose to 76% last year, demonstrating increased public engagement."
Despite these advancements, the Office's investigation revealed over 1,000 annual complaints regarding illegal waste disposal. The number of confirmed illegal disposal cases increased to nearly 800 in 2024, up from 500-600 in previous years. Furthermore, site inspections revealed ongoing issues with construction waste being discarded in public areas. The EPD's prosecution rate for illegal disposal remains low, averaging around 3.8%, prompting calls for enhanced enforcement strategies.
The EPD's data indicates that the "HoHoSkips" service had a usage rate of 62.5% in 2023. However, 27.8% of cancellations were attributed to the recycler's inability to meet peak demand. Following the investigation, the EPD improved the booking process, allowing users to check availability in real time.
In 2024, the service experienced a 76% usage rate, with cancellations due to overbooking dropping to 12.1%, indicating a positive trend in service efficiency. The Office recommends that the EPD continue to refine resource allocation and monitor demand closely, considering increased collection capacity as needed.
Mr Chan concluded, "While there has been commendable progress in tackling illegal construction waste disposal, there remains significant room for improvement in enforcement effectiveness and the operation of the 'HoHoSkips' service. We urge the EPD to bolster its efforts in these areas to further combat illegal activities and optimise resource usage."
The Ombudsman recommends that the EPD strengthen enforcement and evidence collection by utilising advanced technologies for targeted inspections, while also increasing patrols in high-risk areas to enhance enforcement efforts. Collaboration with the recycler is essential to better manage service demand during peak times, and a review of service usage should occur after the transition to a new recycler, with a focus on resource allocation. Additionally, the EPD should aim to reduce average handling times through improved route planning and service scheduling, engage with "HoHoSkips" users for feedback to aid in service enhancement, and improve guidelines and communication regarding service changes to minimise disruptions. The Office is pleased to report that the EPD has accepted all of these improvement recommendations.