With the growing demand for vegan and vegetarian food, PolyU’s Catering Committee had been actively pushing forward and requires the availability of veggie options in all catering outlets on campus since 2013.
Vegan and vegetarian dishes are now available in all Staff and Student Canteens/Restaurants/Lounges on campus to encourage PolyU staff and students to consume more plant-based food.
In the past few decades, demand for food has been growing due to population growth, rising incomes and urbanization. Global meat consumption is growing rapidly especially in the developing countries, where eating meat is seen as a sign of wealth and prosperity. However, it should be realized that livestock production is particularly demanding in terms of energy, cereal, land and water requirements.
To produce 1 kilogram of grain-fed beef, it takes, on average, 10 kg of grain and 15,000 litres of water. Pigs require about 4 kilogram of grain to produce 1 kg of pork and chickens require 2 kg of grain to produce 1 kg of meat (Information Source: Steve Hall (Originally published in the April/May 1997 issue of Canada EarthSaver).
To ensure future demand for food can be met and to conserve resources on Earth, global consumption of meat must fall.
Hong Kong Meat Consumption Tops the WorldAccording to Livestock and Poultry: World Markets & Trade 2011 Special Report published by U.S Department of Agriculture, Hong Kong's per capita pork consumption tops Asia. Since 2007, beef consumption per capita in Hong Kong has doubled from 15kg to 32.3kg in 2011 and is one of the top 10 nations in the world. For poultry, Hong Kong’s per capita consumption is in the top 3.
Meat production is one of the major contributors to global warming. Our demand and choice of food is thus at fault, increasing the release of greenhouse gases.
Food Type | Specific Calorific Value, SCV (kcal/kg) |
Emission Factor, EF (g CO2-eq/kcal) |
Greenhouse Gas Emissions, SCV x EF (g CO2-eq/kg) |
Beef | 1,930 | 13.82 | 26,672.6 |
Pork | 2,640 | 9.03 | 23,839.2 |
Chicken | 1,670 | 1.67 | 2,788.9 |
Fish | 1,000 | 6.04 | 6,040.0 |
Eggs | 600 | 2.93 | 1,758.0 |
Milk | 130 | 2.82 | 366.6 |
Vegetables | 360 | 0.14 | 50.4 |
Rice | 3,650 | 0.80 | 2,927.0 |
Statistics shows that greenhouse gas emissions of consuming a kilogram of beef is 530 times more than consuming a kilogram of vegetables. Greenhouse gas emissions of consuming a kilogram of pork is 13 times more than consuming a kilogram of egg.
Plant-based diets are mostly rich in fibre, low in fat and calories and are cholesterol-free. Thus they often prevent constipation and increase our sense of satiety without adding too much burden to our weight and cholesterol level.
Fruits, vegetables and legumes are also excellent sources of antioxidants and phytochemicals which may strengthen the immune system and regulate the alkaline acidic balance of our body as well as reduces risks of chronic diseases such as hypertension, heart disease, diabetes, etc.
To ensure optimal health, plant-based diets should also be accompanied with healthy lifestyle and balanced nutrition in our daily life (Information Source: http://www.cheu.gov.hk/eng/info/exercise_11.htm).
Give it a think next time before you want to order that juicy sirloin steak or barbecue pork. Choose an alternative which is more sustainable to ourselves, sustainable for others and sustainable for the Earth.
Veggie options available on PolyU CampusWith the growing demand for vegan and vegetarian food, PolyU’s Catering Committee had been actively pushing forward and requires the availability of veggie options in all catering outlets on campus since 2013.
Vegan and vegetarian dishes are now available in all Staff and Student Canteens/Restaurants/Lounges on campus to encourage PolyU staff and students to consume more plant-based food.
Whether you are after a plant-based full lunch, vegetarian pasta or just a detectable vegan sandwich, we have got them all in PolyU. Have a look at highlights of the Caterer’s menus below:
Support sustainable plant-based diet and enjoy a fabulous vegan and vegetarian dining experience in PolyU!
Disclaimer: All plant-based dishes provided here are for reference only. Customers are advised to contact relevant caterers for details.
The Campus Sustainability Office (CSO) was officially established on 1 September 2015 under the purview of the Vice President (Research Development), Ir Professor Alexander Wai.
Lead by Mr. Joseph Chan, Head, Campus Sustainability, CSO will support the University’s pursuit for sustainable excellence, strive for integration of sustainability in all operations of the University and nurture a culture of sustainability, particularly environmental responsibility among our students and staff.
“It is an honor and a privilege to serve my alma mater in this new capacity. PolyU has long been a tertiary institution to nurture young generation who will contribute to our society. The pursuit of campus sustainability will further enhance our teaching and learning, environmental performance of PolyU, knowledge transfer to the community and encourage a green lifestyle for all stakeholders, etc. and this requires the concerto efforts of the PolyU community.
Being part of this, my office will be helping to drive, support and promote the campus sustainability initiatives of PolyU and I am looking forward to seeing your support and participation.”
- Joseph Chan, Head, Campus Sustainability
At the same time, Mr. Joseph Chan has been appointed as Secretary of the Campus Sustainability Committee (CSC). The CSC has been established since 2011 comprising senior members of PolyU and directly reports to the President, Professor Timothy W. Tong on campus sustainability issues. . You can find the latest composition of the committee at http://www.polyu.edu.hk/greencampus/en/about-us/csc.html.
If you have any comments or suggestions about campus sustainability at PolyU, you are most welcome to contact the Committee and Office at green.campus@polyu.edu.hk.
Delonix Regia is native to Madagascar. Their red brilliant flowers bloom in early summer, rendering redness to the trees. Legend has it that a navigator once misconceived the blooming red flowers of the Delonix Regia as forest fires, and this explains why it is also called “Flame of the forest”.
As one of the most common ornamental trees in Hong Kong, we can also use its wood as craft material and the bark as medicine.
More information about Delonix Regia can be found at http://goo.gl/VqNHfo.
PolyU is one of the first institutions who signed the Waste Check Charter recently launched by the Environment Bureau. Aim of this Charter is to promote the "use less, waste less" message within the commercial and industrial sector, accounting for 22% of all solid waste at landfills during the period from 2009 to 2013 according to the waste statistics listed in the report of "Monitoring of Solid Waste in Hong Kong 2013"
Signatory organizations have pledged to
Over the years, PolyU has set up a wide variety of recycling bins on campus and measured the quantity collected regularly. In 2014/15, about 26,900kg of waste paper, 1,600kg of plastics and 130kg of metal were collected for recycling on PolyU campus. Our staff and students are always encouraged to avoid generating waste, separate the recyclables and put them into recycling bins to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill.
You can find more information about the Charter from the thematic website at http://www.wastecheck.gov.hk.
PolyU School of Design in collaboration with Yan Oi Tong EcoPark Plastic Resources Recycling Centre had recently designed a set of new plastic bottle collection bins for use on campus. Take a look and make good use of these green installations when you visit Jockey Club Innovation Tower and Core R.
No matter you buy drinks or food at the catering outlets on campus, Bring Your Own (BYO) discount is everywhere to encourage you to become green PolyU members and generate less waste.
Do you realize the Catering Committee was very thoughtful and extended such benefit even to the temporary lunch time catering service at Block Z?
Next time when you buy food and drinks from our outlets, do bring you own mug or lunch box and be a green and smart PolyU member.
If you have any comments or suggestions on catering services, you are welcome to contact the Catering Committee online at https://myacs.polyu.edu.hk/utils/mysurvey/index.php/582584, by phone at 3400 3724 or by email at fo.catering@polyu.edu.hk.
You can find more BYO discount information on campus at http://www.polyu.edu.hk/greencampus/map/.
Disclaimer: All Bring Your Own (BYO) discount information provided here are for reference only. Users are advised to contact relevant caterers for details.
Want to enjoy BYO discount at catering outlets on campus and carry stylish upcycled sleeve to your study or work?
PolyU has recently released new souvenirs, including “Double Wall Thermal Mug” and “feltlike Series – Cardholder and iPad/Tablet Sleeve”. These items are now available for purchase at the University Bookstore.
The microwavable Double Wall Thermal Mug has a capacity of 320ml and heat retention efficiency at a maximum temperature of 120oC. It is designed to keep spills to a minimum. To allow easy cleaning, the cup can come apart for inner and outer cups.
You can bring this mug to enjoy discount in cash when purchase drinks on campus. You can find more BYO discount information on campus at http://www.polyu.edu.hk/greencampus/map.
feltlike, designed by PolyU design graduate Kevin Cheung and made by craftspeople from the Sheltered Workshop, St. James’ Settlement, is a line of upcycled products made from leftover carpets collected from the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, where clean and unused synthetic felt carpet is often removed at the end of tradeshows and exhibitions.
You can find more souvenirs from PolyU Souvenir Website at http://www.polyu.edu.hk/cpa/souvenir.
According to World Wide Fund For Nature Hong Kong (WWF Hong Kong), demand side management refers to measures that can reduce peak electricity demand within the electricity grid system as well as reduce the energy consumption of end users, and as a result, reducing the carbon dioxide emissions, without sacrificing quality of service and user comfort. (Source: Demand side management, WWF Hong Kong at http://www.wwf.org.hk/en/whatwedo/footprint/climate/dsm)
Jockey Club Innovative Tower and Li Ka Shing Tower have recently participated in CLP Power Hong Kong Limited (CLP)’s Automated Demand Response Program. Through the close cooperation with CLP and a series of demand side management measures, PolyU’s Facilities Management Office targets to reduce the electricity consumption of these two buildings during the period of demand peaks by shutting down predetermined major equipment. After verification of the reduction, CLP will share the achievement with PolyU as a means of financial and sustainability incentive.
Each summer, there are new comers joining PolyU who would participate in O’ camps organized by different committees. To make good use of this opportunity and allow organizers and new comers to come closer to our green culture, other than publishing leaflet to promote organizing green O’ camp, we have collaborated with Christian Action and set up a collection house at Communal Building to collect surplus items from O’ Camps to minimize wastage. The Green Society was also helping to promote the Green Collection and demonstrate how to be a green student.
To continue with the move, the collection house will continue to station at Communal Building after the O’ Camp period. All staffs and students are encouraged to join us to reduce wastage and reuse/recycle more.
As one of the supporting organizations of ‘No Air Con Night’, we have encouraged our staff, students and alumni to pledge in this campaign by switching off the air conditioners for 12 hours from 7pm on 25 September. Some participants had promised to share this message to their families too. This event provided a great opportunity for us to extend the action of energy saving from campus to our community.
We are Grextend (the combination of Green and Extension), The Green Society under the 21st Student Union Council at PolyU. The Green Society is committed to making environmental protection a top priority in all of our lives and encouraging logical steps towards creating a world in which humans do not live in opposition to the natural environment that sustain us.
What is Green? It refers to the color of nature which represents hope and life. We as part of the society, have the responsibility to extend the concepts of environmental protection and sustainability to all students. We believe it is the best moment to engage students in thinking their wasting lifestyle and make changes to our campus and society.
We offer a series of activities including green barbeque, leftover collection, bird-watching guidance and farm visit. The activities not only enrich your campus life, but raise your green awareness. We also encourage you to speak up to push for change in our campus.
Why does it matter?
“It matters because you matter.
It matters because you are important.
It matters because you are surrounded by us who respect you.
It matters because I can speak for you.’’
(From Stefan Hostetter)
You can find more information about the Green Society at https://www.facebook.com/PolyUGreenSociety.
On 13 and 14 August, the Hub Hong Kong organized a green workshop with PolyU to promote the theme of “Bring Your Own Bag (BYOB)”. Plastic bags take hundreds of years to decompose and continue causing pollution to our environment. We believed that a unique eco bag would bring a message of reducing plastic waste and the care for our environment. Over 300 participants had participated in the design workshops and got their own bag. Don't forget one small step forward would make a huge difference.
To celebrate a green Mid-Autumn Festival, the Campus Sustainability Office organized a ‘Mooncake Soap Workshop’ on 24 September which was opened to all staff and students. Participants learned how to make soap and take them as a gift to share their blessing to friends and families. The soap was made with food waste, including rice chaffs and coffee ground etc., which also help to promote the reduction of food waste. Participants had a great moment in the workshop by making this unique eco-gift to their friends and families.
Green Hall was excited to organize the ‘Reusable Items Distribution and Sale’ co-organized with the Chinese Mainland Students’ Association (CMSA) in Homantin Student Hall of Residence (SHR) during 11 and 12 September. Over 100 hall residents attended and picked up around 300 reusable items, including books, plastic products and cooking utensils, etc.
The ‘Reusable Items Distribution and Sale’ is divided into two parts, which was organized in May and September for check-out and check-in period respectively. It becomes the annual traditional event of Green Hall.
Besides, the inter-hall recycling competition will be launched in November. Stay tuned to Green Hall’s promotion!
“Bring Your Own Mug (BYOM) Alliance” aims to reduce the usage of disposable paper or plastic cups. The alliance offers discount / exemption of take-away cup charge for customers who buy take-away beverage with their own mug at caterers with the “BYOM” label.
Details
Organizer(s)
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University is one of the supporting organizations.
Disclaimer: The above activity is not organized by Campus Sustainability Committee or Campus Sustainability Office, PolyU. All information provided here are for reference only.
The Campus Sustainability Committee together with the Campus Sustainability Office is organising the first PolyU Veggie Day which will be held on 25 November where promotional activities on fruits and vegetables will be organized around the campus and at Chan Sui Kau and Chan Lam Moon Chun Square.
Stay tuned for more details.
Organizer(s)
The Eco Expo Asia is a leading international trading platform showcasing the latest innovations in environmental products and services from around the world. This year is the 10th anniversary of the Expo and features “Embracing a Green and Sustainable Future” as a main theme, which attracts exhibitors from different countries and regions. An Eco Asia Conference will also take place alongside the Expo from 28 to 30 October. This conference will focus on topics including “Waste Management & Recycling”, “Cleaner Production” as well as “Green Building & Energy Efficiency”, with prominent experts in green-tech development from around the world as guest speakers. The Expo will be open to the public on 31 October. Events scheduled for this public day include “Dialogue with Secretary for the Environment”, green mart, fora and green workshops.
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Co-organizer(s)
Disclaimer: The above activity is not organized by Campus Sustainability Committee or Campus Sustainability Office, PolyU. All information provided here are for reference only.
To promote the scenic attractions of Lantau Country Parks, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department organizes a series of activities to introduce the stunning landscape of Lantau Island.
Details
Organizer(s)
Disclaimer: The above activity is not organized by Campus Sustainability Committee or Campus Sustainability Office, PolyU. All information provided here are for reference only.
Biz-Green Dress Day on 16 September 2015, jointly organized by the Construction Industry Council and Hong Kong Green Building Council, encouraged the staff of supporting organizations, including the Faculty of Construction and Environment of PolyU, to follow the Biz-Green dress code by dressing light yet professional with the aim of reducing air-conditioning and thus electricity consumption in offices.
The Biz-Green dress code guidelines are:
You can find more information from the website at http://hkgreenbuildingweek2015.hkgbc.org.hk/en/biz-green-dress-day
The five-year $1 billion Recycling Fund set up by the Environmental Protection Department is open for application starting 6 October 2015. Through facilitating the upgrading of operational capabilities and efficiency in the recycling industry, the Fund aims to promote the recovery and recycling of waste into useful resources and products. The deadline of first batch of applications is 30 November 2015.
The Recycling Fund consists of the Enterprise Support Programme and the Industry Support Programme.
Program | Target | Subsidy Amount |
Enterprise Support Programme | Individual enterprises | 50 per cent of approved expenditure items with the cumulative funding ceiling $5 million per enterprise. |
small and medium enterprises (small-scale standard projects) | 50% of the approved expenditure items with the funding ceiling $150,000 | |
Industry Support Programme | Non-profit distributing organizations such as professional bodies, trade and industry organizations, research institutes and other industry support organizations | 100% of approved expenditure items with the cumulative funding $15 million per project. |
You can find more information from the website at http://www.recyclingfund.hk.
As one of the vital sources of renewable energy, solar energy is the conversion of sunlight into electricity through solar cells by photovoltaic effect. The Department of Applied Physics of PolyU has recently developed novel efficient and low-cost semitransparent perovskite solar cells with around 12% of the power conversion efficiencies, compared with 7% of conventional semitransparent solar cells.
This new type of solar cell is able to absorb light from both sides due to its semitransparent feature, thus greatly increasing the surface area for collecting solar energy. Its potential cost to generate one watt of the electricity is less than HK$0.5, which is more than 50% reduction compared with the existing Silicon solar cells. Hopefully, it will be widely used in windows, facades, louvers and rooftops of buildings in the near future.
Over the years, various world-wide environmental and sustainability-related days have been established to raise public awareness on different environmental, social and ecological issues:
1 October 2015 – World Vegetarian DayWorld Vegetarian Day was established as an annual celebration to promote the joy, compassion and life-enhancing possibilities of vegetarianism. The day was originated by the North American Vegetarian Society in 1977 and endorsed by the International Vegetarian Union in 1978. October 1st is the official date, however if necessary, individuals may schedule their event on a nearby date instead. Please visit the World Vegetarian Day website for more information at http://www.worldvegetarianday.org.
4 October 2015 – World Animal DayWorld Animal Day aims to raise the status of animals in order to improve welfare standards around the globe. Building the celebration of World Animal Day unites the animal welfare movement, mobilising it into a global force to make the world a better place for all animals. It's celebrated in different ways in every country, irrespective of nationality, religion, faith or political ideology. Through increased awareness and education we can create a world where animals are always recognized as sentient beings and full regard is always paid to their welfare. Please visit the World Animal Day website for more information at http://www.worldanimalday.org.uk.
13 October 2015 – International Day for Disaster ReductionThe International Day for Disaster Reduction (IDDR) is a day to celebrate how people and communities are reducing their exposure to disasters and raising awareness about the importance of disaster risk reduction. The focus of this year’s IDDR is on the traditional, indigenous and local knowledge which complement modern science and add to an individual’s and societies’ resilience. For more information, please visit the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR) website at http://www.unisdr.org/2015/iddr and PolyU – The UNISDR Collaboration Programme website at http://fhss.polyu.edu.hk/IDDR2015.
16 October 2015 – World Food DayWorld Food Day is celebrated each year on 16 October, the day on which the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) was founded in 1945. The 2015 World Food Day theme is “Social protection and agriculture: breaking the cycle of rural poverty”. Please visit the FAO website for more information at http://www.fao.org/world-food-day.
For more information about sustainability-related dates, please refer to PolyU Green Concepts’ website at http://www.polyu.edu.hk/greencampus/en/useful-links/world-environmental-dates.html.
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