Environmental, Health and Safety Report 2003 / 04

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Performance Review
Harzardous Materials [Photo: Proper removal and control of harzardous materials to ensuring healthy and safety living environment for our residents.]

Asbestos

Mercury-containing Lamps

Hazardous Materials Handling and Disposal

Asbestos

[Photo: Asbestos abatement works in progress.]
We continue to work closely with the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) to survey our properties for asbestos-containing materials (ACMs). During 2003 / 04, 50 of our schools were surveyed and from which the potentially high risk ACMs were removed by qualified asbestos abatement contractors. In the coming year we intent to start a new round of asbestos surveys in another 115 schools through which all ACMs shall be removed.

Removal Volumes of Asbestos-containing Material
Year	2001 / 02	2002 / 03	2003 / 04
ACM item removed Tonnes (1,000)	8.2	22.9	22

We also undertake continuous review of asbestos management procedures and provide appropriate training, including web-based courses, to ensure stringent asbestos control amongst our staff and property managers.

In the coming year as our redevelopment programme approaches completion we shall closely monitor the condition of all remaining ACMs in our properties. Any ACM that poses a potential risk to our tenants, the public or our staff, shall be professionally removed.

Mercury-containing Lamps

We operate a programme for the removal and safe disposal of spent mercury containing lamps at our housing estates and demolition sites.

The programme is implemented in stages, taking account of controlled procedures including registration as a chemical waste producer and collection by a registered waste contractor. The programme involves co-ordinating staff from the Housing Authority, building services maintenance contractors and staff from the EPD and the Chemical Waste Treatment Centre (CWTC) in Tsing Yi where the lamps are finally processed to remove the mercury.

Since we started participating the EPD-arranged programme in October 2002 we have collected 63 000 and disposed of 22 000 spent mercury-containing tubes and lamps from 42 housing estates in selected regions. We intend to extend the scheme in August 2004 for full implementation to all housing estates by mid 2005.

Performance of Mercury-containing Lamp Programme in Pubic Housing Estates (as at March 2004)
	Completed	Delivered	Balance in Hand
	Number (1,000)
Collection from Kwai Tsing, Tsuen Wan & Islands, 2002	49	22.3	40.7
Collection from Tuen Mun & Yuen Long, 2003	14	0	0

Hazardous Materials Handling and Disposal

[Photo: The Chemical Waste Treatment Centre licensed by the Environmental Protection Department has been in operation since 1993.]
Regarding the disposal of hazardous materials, we request our factory tenants that materials including oils, solvents and chemicals must be collected by registered chemical waste contractors for proper disposal at the CWTC.

[Photo: Properly labelled boxes of waste inside a secure, designated storage area.]
We require that all contractors involved at any stage in the handling, storage, transport and disposal of hazardous waste hold the appropriate license issued by the EPD.

[Photo: Controlled transportation of chemical waste for disposal by a registered contractor.]
Our contractors must also adhere to the necessary regulations for the handling of special hazardous wastes. For example, our contractors involved in the handling of ionisation-type smoke detectors must hold a valid Radioactive Substances Licence issued by the Hong Kong Radiation Board in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Radiation Ordinance and Radiation Regulations.

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