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On-campus campaign to save food

 

The Greeners Action launched a campaign - Save Food (¦³¦ç­¹¹B°Ê) in tertiary institutions to promote a thoughtful eating habit so as to save food and reduce food waste in canteens and restaurants. The campaign commenced in March 2009 and lasted till May 2009.

A campus caterer in PolyU joined this campaign to offer ¡§less food and less pay¡¨ option at the student and staff canteens. On every Wednesday within that period, students and staff could save one dollar if they requested less rice (about two-thirds of the normal rice serving) for their meals. Through this campaign, students and staff were encouraged to take just enough food so as to avoid wasting of foods.

This Save Food Project is an approved project of the Public Education Programme under the "Policy Framework for the Management of Municipal Solid Waste (2005-2014)" with funding support from the Environment and Conservation Fund.

PolyU supported Earth Hour 2009

On the evening of 28 March 2009, more than 1800 buildings in Hong Kong turned their lights off for Earth Hour (organized by the World Wide Fund), joining cities around the world. PolyU also supported this event to arouse concern about climate change amongst our students, staff and alumni as well as other residents of Hong Kong.

With enthusiastic responses from our staff and students, a variety of supportive actions were taken on the PolyU campus. From 8:30 to 9:30 pm, the Facilities Management Office coordinated in switching off the lights for the PolyU logo on Core D. Other non-essential lighting on campus including flood lights on the roof of various buildings, waffle and landscape lighting, as well as some corridor lighting for certain buildings was also switched off. These buildings included Li Ka Shing Tower, Lee Shau Kee Building and PQ, FJ, HJ Wings.

Student Affairs Office suspended the service of all outdoor sports facilities (including the Keith Legg Sports Field and the Shaw Sport Complex) and hall amenities facilities (including function rooms, fitness room, computer room, dance room, piano room, snooker room, band room and karaoke room) during that period of time.

At the student halls, a counter was set up at the entrance to publicize the event and students were invited to sign up for their commitment on the light-out action. A team of Earth Hour Ambassadors was formed to remind students to switch off their lights before and during the period. Our students also organized a movie show (La Marche De L¡¦Empereur ¡V a documentary film on wild animals and nature) during the Earth Hour period and a photo competition with the theme "Unlighted Pearl of Orient¡¨.

Besides, most of our academic departments and administrative units pledged to switch off unnecessary or non-essential lighting in areas within their control, to encourage staff and students not to use facilities of the university, and to plan in advance that no important events or activities would be held at that period of time.

With all the above supportive actions, PolyU hopes that our staff and student will more actively participate in protecting the environment and developing a sustainable community.


Tips to reduce greenhouse gas emissions

Below are some tips every individual can practise to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions. (extracted from the web site of the Environmental Protection Department)

Transport

  • Use public transportation
  • Drive less
  • Plan your trip smartly
  • Do not allow the engine to idle
  • Drive at proper speed
  • Keep your vehicle well maintained
  • Maintain proper tire pressure
  • Buy fuel-efficient vehicle (such as hybrids)

At home

  • Purchase energy-efficient electrical appliances (with energy efficiency labels)
  • Use energy-efficient light bulbs (such as compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs))
  • Set your air-conditioners at 25.5¢XC
  • Turn off electrical appliances when they are not in use
  • Do not leave electrical appliances on standby mode
  • Install a low-flow shower head and take a quick shower
  • Recycle all recyclable materials

 

In the office

  • Purchase energy-efficient office equipment (with energy efficiency labels)
  • Set the central air-conditioning system at 25.5¢XC
  • Set up computers, servers, printers and scanners in energy-saver mode. Turn them off if not used for extended periods such as weekends and holidays.
  • Use as little paper as possible
  • Recycle all recyclable materials

Environmental Newsletter
June 2009
Health, Safety and Environment Office