Located on an artificial island near Shek Kwu Chau, the Integrated Waste Management Facilities Phase I, I·PARK1, represents a significant step forward in Hong Kong’s sustainable waste management strategy. As the city’s first waste‑to‑energy plant designed specifically to tackle municipal solid waste, I·PARK1 plays a key role in reducing reliance on landfills while producing energy.
Marine transportation: Inside the containers is municipal solid waste collected from across the city, which is transported by vessels to I·PARK1 and unloaded at the berth. Image source: www.news.gov.hk
I·PARK1 comprises three incineration modules. The first has commenced trial operations, while the remaining two modules will undergo phased testing and trials throughout the first quarter of 2026. Once fully operational, the facility is expected to process up to 3,000 tonnes of municipal solid waste per day and generate about 480 million kilowatt‑hours of surplus electricity annually for the city’s existing power grid, enough to meet the needs of 100,000 households.
Minimising waste
Municipal solid waste collected from across the city is first compacted and sealed in containers before being transported by vessels to I·PARK1. Upon arrival, the containers are unloaded at the berth and transferred by dedicated trailers to the processing building, where the waste is tipped into a bunker inside the tipping hall. Both the tipping hall and the waste bunker are maintained under negative pressure to prevent odour leakage.
From there, an overhead crane hoists the waste and feeds it into an incineration furnace. During the process, the waste is gradually pushed forward by a moving grate to ensure optimal combustion, while the heat energy generated is used to produce electricity.
Environmental Protection Department Senior Environmental Protection Officer (Infrastructure Development) Christopher Chan explained that waste inside the specially designed incinerator is combusted at temperatures exceeding 850 degrees Celsius. The flue gas produced must remain at this temperature for at least two seconds, ensuring complete combustion. Combined with high turbulence flow technology, this process guarantees the waste is completely combusted and organic pollutants, including dioxins, are thoroughly destroyed.
Leakage prevention: Both the tipping hall and the waste bunker are maintained under negative pressure to prevent odour leakage. Image source: www.news.gov.hk
Sustainable measures
Mr Chan added that I·PARK1 is equipped with a highly efficient air pollution control system to treat all flue gas emissions. The system is designed to ensure compliance with the stringent emission limits set out in the Specified Process Licence issued under the Air Pollution Control Ordinance. The contractor is required to continuously monitor flue gas emissions with online monitoring equipment. The environmental monitoring data will then be verified and made available to the public through a dedicated website, as required by the Environmental Permit and the contract.
I·PARK1 will also provide education and leisure facilities to the public. While introducing the latest waste-to-energy technology in the environmental education centre, interactive exhibits will offer information about Hong Kong’s waste management and resource recovery efforts. Visits to the environmental education facilities will be ready for advance booking once I·PARK1 is fully operational.
The Environmental Protection Department is pressing ahead with the development of I·PARK2 at Tsang Tsui in Tuen Mun. Together with ongoing efforts in waste reduction, recycling and resource circulation, the Government believes that these initiatives will help Hong Kong move closer to its long‑term goals of achieving zero waste landfilling and carbon neutrality.
Advancing technology: Environmental Protection Department Senior Environmental Protection Officer (Infrastructure Development) Christopher Chan says the advanced incineration process can significantly reduce the waste volume by up to 90%. Image source: www.news.gov.hk
FEHD releases fourth batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in May
The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) today (May 21) released the fourth batch of gravidtrap indexes and density indexes for Aedes albopictus in May, covering 12 survey areas, as follows:
District |
Survey Area |
May 2026 |
First Phase Gravidtrap Index |
First Phase Density Index |
Eastern |
Shau Kei Wan and Sai Wan Ho |
9.1% |
1.4 |
Islands |
Tung Chung |
2.0% |
1.0 |
Kowloon City |
Hung Hom and To Kwa Wan |
6.7% |
1.5 |
Tai Po |
Tai Po East |
2.2% |
2.0 |
Tai Po West |
15.5% |
1.0 |
Tuen Mun |
Tuen Mun South |
9.1% |
1.4 |
District |
Survey Area |
May 2026 |
Area Gravidtrap Index |
Area Density Index |
Central and Western |
Kennedy Town and Shek Tong Tsui |
16.8% |
1.3 |
Eastern |
Chai Wan |
15.4% |
1.0 |
North Point and Quarry Bay |
18.9% |
1.4 |
Southern |
Aberdeen and Ap Lei Chau |
20.8% |
1.7 |
Sha Tin |
Sha Tin Town Centre and Fo Tan |
18.3% |
1.4 |
Tsuen Wan |
Tsuen Wan Town |
6.9% |
2.3 |
The fourth batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in May includes First Phase Gravidtrap Indexes covering six survey areas and Area Gravidtrap Indexes covering six survey areas. Among which, six survey areas recorded gravidtrap indexes above 10 per cent, while Aberdeen and Ap Lei Chau in Southern District recorded a gravidtrap index above 20 per cent. Meanwhile, the gravidtrap indexes of six survey areas, namely Kennedy Town and Shek Tong Tsui in Central and Western District; North Point and Quarry Bay in Eastern District; Shau Kei Wan and Sai Wan Ho in Eastern District; Aberdeen and Ap Lei Chau in Southern District; Tai Po East in Tai Po District; and Tuen Mun South in Tuen Mun District, have recorded a decrease as compared to the indexes recorded in the last survey period, reflecting the progress of relevant mosquito control work.
With reference to the data from the past few years, the gravidtrap indexes start to rise from April or May every year. The actual timing and extent of the rise are affected by factors like weather conditions and rainfall. The average temperature and rainfall recorded in April this year were higher than those in the same period last year, creating favourable conditions for mosquito growth and breeding. As a result, the rise in gravidtrap indexes occurred earlier this year. With the increase in rainfall in May, the gravidtrap indexes are expected to rise further.
For survey areas which recorded indexes exceeding 10 per cent, in accordance with the mechanism implemented by the FEHD in response to the chikungunya fever (CF) situation (i.e. strengthening mosquito control work in areas with a gravidtrap index between 10 per cent and 20 per cent, instead of 20 per cent or above under the original mechanism), the FEHD is collaborating with relevant departments and stakeholders to identify locations with high mosquito infestations and carry out intensive and targeted mosquito control measures. The FEHD has initiated two prosecutions against the relevant construction site contractors following the discovery of mosquito breeding at construction sites in Tai Po District and Southern District. Moreover, following the discovery of stagnant water or stagnant water containers in a park, a construction site, a private housing estate, a clinic and a private premises in Tai Po District, Central and Western District, as well as Southern District, the FEHD has issued five statutory notices to the responsible persons-in-charge, requiring the clearance of such items within a specified timeframe. The FEHD, the relevant departments and stakeholders are following up on the mosquito control work, and will also organise exhibitions, distribute leaflets and posters, and notify residential estates that have subscribed to the gravidtrap Rapid Alert System, advising property management agents and residents to stay vigilant and work together in taking mosquito prevention and elimination measures. In addition, the FEHD will strengthen the monitoring of the gravidtrap index in the areas to review the effectiveness of the mosquito control work.
Public participation is crucial to the effective control of mosquito problems. The FEHD appeals to members of the public to continue to work together in strengthening personal mosquito control measures, including:
tidy up their premises and check for any accumulation of water inside the premises;
remove all unnecessary water collections and eliminate the sources;
check household items (those placed in outdoor and open areas in particular), such as refuse containers, vases, air conditioner drip trays, and laundry racks to prevent stagnant water;
change water in flower vases and scrub their inner surfaces thoroughly, and remove water in saucers under potted plants at least once a week;
properly cover all containers that hold water to prevent mosquitoes from accessing the water;
properly dispose of articles that can contain water, such as disposable meal boxes and empty cans; and
scrub drains and surface sewers with alkaline detergent at least once a week to remove any mosquito eggs.
Starting in August 2025, following the completion of the surveillance of individual survey areas, and once the latest gravidtrap index and the density index are available, the FEHD has been disseminating relevant information through press releases, its website and social media. It aims to allow members of the public to quickly grasp the mosquito infestation situation and strengthen mosquito control efforts, thereby reducing the risk of CF transmission.
Following recommendations from the World Health Organization and taking into account the local situation in Hong Kong, the FEHD sets up gravidtraps in districts where mosquito-borne diseases have been recorded in the past, as well as in densely populated places such as housing estates, hospitals and schools to monitor the breeding and distribution of Aedes albopictus mosquitoes, which can transmit CF and dengue fever. At present, the FEHD has set up gravidtraps in 62 survey areas of the community, with a surveillance period of two weeks. During the surveillance period, the FEHD will collect the gravidtraps once a week. After the first week of surveillance, the FEHD will immediately examine the glue boards inside the retrieved gravidtraps for the presence of adult Aedine mosquitoes to compile the Gravidtrap Index (First Phase) and Density Index (First Phase). At the end of the second week of surveillance, the FEHD will instantly check the glue boards for the presence of adult Aedine mosquitoes. Data from the two weeks of surveillance will be combined to obtain the Area Gravidtrap Index and the Area Density Index. The gravidtrap and density indexes for Aedes albopictus in different survey areas, as well as information on mosquito prevention and control measures, are available on the department's webpage (www.fehd.gov.hk/english/pestcontrol/dengue_fever/Dengue_Fever_Gravidtrap_Index_Update.html#).
FEHD releases fourth batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in May Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
FEHD releases fourth batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in May Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
FEHD releases fourth batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in May Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
FEHD releases fourth batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in May Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
FEHD releases fourth batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in May Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
