Dumping a Load
Posted by SpikeNov 25
Today was a day of heavy duty air pollution in Hong Kong, near-record highs. I can personally attest to that because walking in TST, my eyes were all teary and blurry, something that rarely happens to me. How lovely that our government consistently denies the gravity of the situation (presumably because it might scare away investment dollars)(a new slogan: Hong Kong: Invest Here, We Always Put Big Business Before People!). As a result, we are years away from a comprehensive solution instead of these point by point reactive mini-measures.
The old trucks on the road in Hong Kong pollute more than just the air. Take a look at this one:
See what it says on the side there? “Grease and septic tank disposal services.”
And how do they dispose of it?
Yeah, that’s right. Find a quiet street to park on, like Ashley Road. And then just dump whatever’s in your tank into the street. It might have been just water, it might have been something else, but whatever it was – this truck just pulled up, stopped, opened up their tanks, let it pour into the street and when empty, pulled away again.
And with that, let’s hand the mike over to Mr. Raymond Douglas Davies. Take it away, Ray!
I look out my window, but I can’t see the sky
‘Cos the air pollution is
fogging up my eyes
I want to get out of this city alive
And make like an ape man



7 comments
Comment by THE KMB on November 25, 2009 at 11:31 pm
But this kind of disposal is def illegal – the number plate of this truck is clearly visible. Why not send this photos to the responsible department of the government – is it the FEHD or whatever …but dont worry in my building if some ashes from a cigarette fall down to the lower balcony there is a BIG notice the next day about this and what kind of OFFENSE this is. 2 weeks ago somebody threw out a CAT from a higher floor – do you think there was a notice there – even the police was coming (actually I have called them ………because this CAT was really flying – not falling)………Not a word at all…..
Comment by Lanta on November 26, 2009 at 2:17 am
Even if it was water the tank would have been contaminated. I think you should follow up on this one too. It might turn out like the illegal dumping of building waste on farmland, they couldnt trace the veichles and the solution was a little layer of top soil.
Funny you should mention the eyes, mine have been a little bit more tired than usual the past couple of days too.
Comment by Spike on November 26, 2009 at 9:17 am
Honestly, I don’t think the photo proves anything, at least not in a legal sense. Any halfway decent lawyer could argue that the truck just parked in a spot that was already wet or something along those lines.
Comment by The KMB on November 26, 2009 at 11:38 am
Surely it doesnt prove anything – BUT just a little questioning by some department to this company would make them already “rather nervous” – because as we all know in generally “chinese are cowards”.
Comment by Jon on November 27, 2009 at 9:36 am
Details on how to report pollution incidents to the EPD: http://www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/how_help/report_pollution/reportpollution.html
Comment by Spike on November 27, 2009 at 12:56 pm
Okay, since you made it so easy for me, how can I refuse? I filed a complaint and included one of the photos with the complaint.
Comment by Spike on November 27, 2009 at 5:14 pm
Here’s a shock. The EPD called the company, the company said their truck was just dumping “clean water” and that’s legal so that’s that!