NENT Landfill Expansion Opens in October as Current Site Closes for Restoration
On.cc · 1 SOURCESabout 2 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) announced on July 22 that the North East New Territories Landfill expansion will commence full operations in October, with the existing landfill closing simultaneously for restoration and greening work. The current landfill's remaining capacity is projected to reach saturation by October 2026, rendering the timely commissioning of the expanded facility essential for Hong Kong's medium-term waste management needs .
Key Points
- The expansion's critical construction works were largely completed in mid-2024, and operational testing has been underway since June 6
- In 2025, Hong Kong discards approximately 10,326 tonnes of municipal solid waste daily, with landfills remaining necessary until waste-to-energy facilities reach sufficient capacity around 2035
- The operational tests cover roads, weighbridge systems, waste reception arrangements, and environmental monitoring; testing has proceeded smoothly with no abnormal findings
- The expansion will utilize the existing landfill's entrance and exit, with no anticipated additional impact on local traffic
- Odor control measures include daily covering with clean soil, spraying coating materials, deploying odor-neutralizing machines, and covering leachate ponds, supplemented by continuous air monitoring
Why It Matters
The expansion ensures Hong Kong maintains adequate waste disposal capacity during the transition period before waste-to-energy infrastructure becomes fully operational by 2035. Effective odor management and environmental monitoring will be crucial to minimizing disruption for residents in the North District and nearby villages near the Lianhua Road/Heung Yuen Wai border crossing area .
The expansion ensures Hong Kong maintains adequate waste disposal capacity during the transition period before waste-to-energy infrastructure becomes fully operational by 2035. Effective odor management and environmental monitoring will be crucial to minimizing disruption for residents in the North District and nearby villages near the Lianhua Road/Heung Yuen Wai border crossing area .