Much of this waste can be reused. Tseung Kwan O. The biggest incentive to encourage waste reduction or recycling is landfill charging. Hong Kong is one of the only places in the world where landfilling is free. In other developed countries high tipping fees provide a strong incentive for waste reduction and innovation in design. Since much of the construction and demolition waste comes from buildings, waste can be avoided by better building design and management.
Quality buildings tend to be more resource-efficient, less wasteful and better managed.
Hong Kong could become a world leader in quality building development and reduce capital and operational costs in the process. Reusing Existing Buildings and Materials Reusing and renovating a building instead of building a new one can reduce materials use and waste, as well as saving money. Faced with many vacant and obsolete office buildings in lower Manhattan, New York City provided tax incentives for the conversions of commercial buildings to residential use. Electricity rebates were also provided. Similarly, in Hong Kong many of the obsolete industrial buildings can be converted into commercial or other uses.