We make every effort to practise the green office concept in every aspect of our day-to-day operation. A series of green policies and measures are in place to raise the environmental awareness of our staff.

Bringing the green office concept into full play, we introduced a number of measures to reduce waste at the source. These include issuing guidelines on reducing paper consumption and green tips, and encouraging our staff to print on both sides as well as reusing one-sided paper and envelopes whenever possible. We also set up collection points to recycle used toner cartridges, rechargeable batteries, waste paper, plastic and metal containers, as well as conducting regular office inspections to heighten environmental awareness among our staff.

Forging ahead with the green office concept, we have been actively promoting “paperless meetings” by using electronic devices such as tablets and laptop computers for presentations and discussions in day-to-day meetings to reduce paper consumption. In addition, we began promoting e-fax in mid-2017. As from 2018, all DSD administration divisions have switched to e-fax for document transmission. We now have 142 e-fax numbers department-wide.

During the year, DSD held about 195 paperless meetings and circulated 1,980 documents electronically. Total paper consumption was approximately 9,223 reams, down about 34% compared to 2009-10.

Supporting the Government’s Call to Minimise the use of Disposable Tableware

Playing its part as a green role model, the Government has taken the lead to minimise the use of disposable tableware in all canteens, food kiosks and restaurants in Government properties and venues to the maximum extent possible with effect from 1 January 2019. To echo with this initiative, DSD actively promotes the use of reusable tableware in our daily operations, as well as in organising meetings and official events.

As reinforced in “Hong Kong’s Climate Action Plan 2030+” published in 2017, the Government would step up the promotion of green buildings and reduce electricity consumption of government buildings. Guided by this principle over the years, DSD has implemented a number of energy saving measures in our offices, including setting the room temperature at 25.5°C, reducing non-essential lighting, and using timers to turn off office equipment after office hours. Our electricity consumption has seen significant drop as a result.

The Green Champions is formed by a group of colleagues who have a passion on promoting green and sustainable living and office culture. They also bring about staff’s view to the Green Management Committee so as to increase green awareness among colleagues to enhance sustainable development. In 2018-19, the Green Champions organized the following activities:

1. Green Farming Competition – setting farming lots in available areas within DSD facilities for green use and for colleagues and their families to experience the joy of farming;
2. Books, Children’s Toys and Video Discs Exchange – collecting and sharing used books, children’s toys and video discs for colleagues to promote re-use of resources;
3. Beach Clean-up Activities – co-organize with other governmental departments and organizations to participate in cleaning up beaches.

The Green Champions believe that by taking part in various activities, our friends could share the joy of a sustainable way of living, and develop an environmentally friendly culture, both at work and at home.