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PolyU staff support used-item collection campaign on campus

In November 2008 and Janurary 2009, the PolyU Staff Association (PUSA) co-organized two rounds of used-item collection campaign respectively at the PolyU campus with a charitable organization named Industrial Relations Institute (IRI).

The campaign urged the donation of used items to IRI for their selection, classification and re-sale of the items to the low-income community at a very low price. The used items included electrical appliances, clothing, shoes and bags, housewares, beddings, decorations, non-pirated VCD, DVD, CD, etc. Both rounds of the campaign received enthusiastic response and support from PolyU staff members.

Alumni and friends of PolyU build a greener Hong Kong

On 30 November 2008, more than 1,000 enthusiastic alumni of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, their friends and family members planted more than 5,000 shrubs and saplings at the Shing Mun Valley Park, Tsuen Wan with a wish to build a greener Hong Kong.

The event, “Greening Hong Kong by PolyU Alumni”, was jointly organized by PolyU, the Federation of PolyU Alumni Associations and the Leisure and Cultural Services Department. It was the fourth time that PolyU launched this greening activity since 2004.

This was a meaningful event that not only helped to build a greener living environment in Hong Kong, but also served to educate our younger generation in environmental care and sustainable development.

New development project receives Green Building Award

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University- Hong Kong Community College (Hung Hom Bay Campus) won the "Merit" Award in the Green Building Award 2008 launched by the Professional Green Building Council. Located opposite to the Student Hostels at the junction of Hung Lai Road and Hung Lok Road in Hung Hom, the development is an 18-storey institutional building for the pre-tertiary education programme. A main feature of the design is a continuous spiral-chain of communal sky gardens along the tower block periphery extending from the lower-ground floor to the upper-most floors. Bamboo and large trees planted at the sky gardens let sunlight penetrate into the interiors and form a living and pleasant atmosphere. A flexible modular system of communal spaces capable of future transformation has been developed to facilitate the need of adaptability and flexibility with public spaces provided with greenery for interaction. The full pre-cast construction system minimizes wastes during the construction period and additional finishes required for the interior decoration.
By using a sustainable architecture design and an energy-efficient building system, the Hong Kong Polytechnic University- Hong Kong Community College (Hung Hom Bay Campus) provides substantial spaces for teachers and students and fosters a learning environment conducive to both academic and eco-awareness learning.

We support Earth Hour 2009

Earth Hour is a campaign to arouse global concern about climate change due to carbon emissions. It has been launched since 2007 in Sydney Australia by the World Wide Fund For Nature (WWF). The Earth Hour 2009 will be held on 28 March 2009 at 8:30 pm when lighting of the supporters’ buildings will be turned off for one hour.

74 cities in 62 countries including Hong Kong have committed to switch off for Earth Hour 2009. More than 140 business companies and many government departments in Hong Kong have already pledged to support this campaign. On 28 March 2009, “A Symphony of Lights” will be suspended and many iconic buildings in Hong Kong including the highest building ifc will switch off the lights.

Endeavoring energy saving and environmental protection on campus, PolyU will also support this campaign by communicating the event to our students, staff and alumni. They are urged to reduce emissions both in the workplace and at home. Units and departments of the university will also be encouraged to switch off non-essential lighting at the afore-said time. To learn more about this global campaign in Hong Kong, please visit: www.earthhour.org/hongkong .



PolyU signs Carbon Reduction Charter
Climate change due to the emission of greenhouse gas (GHG) is one of the most important challenges to the mankind. Electricity generation is the largest local GHG emission source and buildings account for some 89% of the electricity consumed in Hong Kong. To protect our environment, an important step to be taken by the buildings' management is to conduct carbon audits on buildings and improve their GHG emission performance. The Environmental Protection Department has therefore launched the “Carbon Reduction Charter”.
In July 2008, PolyU together with 36 other organisations in Hong Kong joined the “Green Hong Kong – Carbon Audit” launching ceremony hosted by Mr Edward Yau, the Secretary for the Environment. Representing PolyU, Ir Vincent Luk, Director of Facilities Management, attended the ceremony and signed the Charter. Being one of the committed “Carbon Audit – Green Partners”, PolyU has undertaken to conduct or assist in conducting carbon audits on our buildings and to initiate carbon reduction programmes in the coming two years in accordance with the “Carbon Reduction Charter”.

Environmental Newsletter
January 2009
Health, Safety and Environment Office