Tips on Environmental Management in Estates

Green Leadership

• Led by highest management
• Set environmental targets and action plans every year and closely monitor them continuously
• Formulate a comprehensive environmental management policy and provide guidelines on cleaning and green management for the reference of staff members, service contractors and suppliers
• Display environmental guidelines in the office
• Enhance communication with staff members and tenants by establishing green corner displays to provide information on environmental protection
• Provide news on environmental issue in the Estate newsletters
• Provide training for staff to enrich their environmental knowledge, e.g. invite representatives from the Environmental Protection Department or green groups to conduct seminars
• Ensure close monitoring of the improvement works on environmental management and that proper follow–up actions are being taken

Programmes

Overall Programme

• Review regularly environmental issues encountered in the estates and the need for further development
• Formulate comprehensive and well defined environmental programmes with clear objectives and guidelines on energy saving, water conservation, sewage control, waste management, noise control, air pollution/odour control, indoor air quality, housekeeping, transport and landscaping
• Review regularly the effectiveness of the programmes and keep records of the volume of waste and the consumption of electricity and water for reference and follow-up

Energy Saving

• Clean air filters and air outlets of air-conditioning systems regularly to maximise cooling efficiency
• Stick labels by the side of switches to remind staff members to turn off air-conditioners and all electrical appliances before leaving the office
• Install compact Light Emitting Diode (LED)
• Replace existing lights in the office with LED lamps
• Use natural light in daytime instead of electric lighting
• Adjust operating hours of lighting systems according to the sunshine duration
• Use rechargeable batteries and solar-powered calculators to reduce battery disposal
• Replace electromagnetic ballasts with electronic ballasts
• Set temperature of air-conditioners at 25.5°C and turn on air-conditioners only when necessary
• Thermometer installed in office to monitor room temperature being kept at 25.5°C
• Turn off lights and computers before leaving the office
• Use single fluorescent tube instead of twin tubes or photo-sensor controlled lightings
• Reduce reliance on electrical power generated from fossil fuel and use more renewable energy by means of photovoltaic panels

Water Conservation

• Install water-saving facilities in flushing cisterns, e.g. put a plastic bottle filled with water or stones inside the flushing cistern to help raise the water level and reduce the consumption of flushing water
• Display water-saving notices/stickers in washrooms, on flushing cisterns and outdoor water taps to remind people to conserve water
• Water plants in the morning or evening instead of in the afternoon to reduce evaporation of water

Waste Management

• Install waste separation facilities at refuse collection points for recycling of waste paper, aluminium cans and plastic bottles
• Divide refuse collection points into different zones for the collection of polyurethane foam, wood, scrap iron, fluorescent tubes, light bulbs, used batteries, books, toner cartridges, etc
• Use a compactor to compress refuse so that the frequency of transportation can be reduced
• Encourage staff to minimise waste by repairing old articles instead of buying new ones
• Reduced consumption of paper by using both sides for writing or photocopying and by encouraging the use of e-mails
• Educate staff and residents about the proper procedures for waste disposal
• Monitor and record the waste volume regularly

Housekeeping

• Procure environmentally friendly products such as recycled paper, refillable ball pens, propelling pencils and rechargeable batteries as far as possible
• Keep records of stationery and office equipment and devise guidelines for managing their use according to the first-in-first-out principle

Noise Control

• Monitor noise made inside or outside the premises regularly and handle complaints properly
• Reduce noise and air pollution inside the office by placing photocopiers and paper shredders in a separate room installed with a separate exhaust system
• Record and follow up complaints

Air Quality/Air Pollution/Odour Control

• Improve air quality by putting more plants in the office and the estate as a whole
• Place plants such as Dracana trifasciata near photocopiers or in the printing room to absorb harmful air pollutants
• Take green measures during maintenance works to mitigate air pollution, for example, cover the gondola with a dust screen to minimize the spread of dust
• Clean furniture and carpet in the office regularly
• Clean the refuse room daily to reduce odor
• Install a biochemical deodorizing system at refuse collection points to reduce odor
• Request air-conditioning contractors to use environment-friendly refrigerants

Landscaping/Transport

• Plant evergreen plants instead of seasonal plants and display their names on labels
• Grow plants in pots/containers made of environment-friendly materials
• Implement the measure of “Switch off Idling Vehicles”
• Organise "community garden programmes" to encourage residents' participation in greening activities
• Set up "compost corner" in the plant nursery and use compost in estate greening
• Provide facilities such as green houses or green paths at the estate to help raise tenants' environmental awareness and their sense of belonging to the estate
• Encourage staff members to use public transport instead of private cars

Partner Synergy

Customer Communication

• Hold regular meetings with contractors, tenant representatives and commercial tenants to find out their views on environmental protection
• Disseminate and promote environmental messages through the Housing Channel broadcast at G/F lift lobbies of buildings

Selection of Contractors in Support of Green Measures

• Procure environment-friendly products and request contractors to use materials and adopt work practices that are environmentally friendly

Proactive Efforts in Organising and Encouraging Participation in Green Activities

• Organise regular activities for tenants and staff members to encourage waste recycling, barter activities, collection of used clothes, tree planting and visits, etc.
• Encourage staff members to innovate programmes for tenants to enhance their environmental knowledge and interest
• Share experience in promoting environmental protection with other estates/courts
• Set up Green Station in the form of a notice board at G/F lobby of each domestic block to promote green messages
• Promote green knowledge and tree preservation idea to tenants and students through the Estate Tree Ambassador (ETA) Scheme

Supporting Facilities

• Provide a separate light switch for the refuse room on each floor of the building to reduce electricity consumption
• Provide recycling bins to collect fluorescent lamps, rechargeable batteries and glass bottles in addition to other waste separation bins
• Use tools that can hack walls and remove dust simultaneously to reduce pollution during estate maintenance works and, when possible, use plastic screens instead of wooden or metal hoardings. For resurfacing works, reuse concrete blocks which are in good condition to avoid wasting resources
• Set up "green education corridors" in the estate and invite residents or students to design the information boards for disseminating green messages
• Organise organic planting programmes in the estates to give tenants a taste of pleasures of farming amid the hustle and bustle of the city and incorporate green activities into their daily lives
• Turn the roof tops of refuse collection compound into green beds to enlarge the green area of the estate
• Add louver doors at the G/F entrance of buildings to improve ventilation
• Place laundry racks made from construction waste in designated areas during the summer for tenants to air their quilts
• Use manual pumps made of disposed materials to remove stagnant water to prevent the breeding of mosquitoes