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Hong Kong Correctional Services Annual Review 2014

[ Commissioner’s Foreword]   [ Operations and Institutional Management ]   [ Rehabilitation ]   [ Industries and Vocational Training ]

[ Human Resource Management ]   [ Quality Assurance ]   [ Administration and Planning ]   [ Green Management ]   [ Appendices ]

Green Management

The Department always places ecological considerations in high priorities in every aspect of its operation. We strictly comply with relevant laws, regulations and standards pertaining to protecting the environment and strive to maintain excellent records and achieve demonstrable improvements. Correctional facilities are designed and operated in an environmental-friendly manner, while conservation of resources remains tightly enforced throughout. Going hand in hand, waste reduction, recycling, ecologically-sound supplies and education of staff and persons in custody are all pivotal components in departmental efforts towards good stewardship of the environment.

Environmental Management and Accountability

The Green Manager's Committee sets environmental objectives and adopts measures in line with relevant regulations. With feedback from staff, persons in custody, partners and other sources, the Committee implements policies mandated by the Department. The Environmental Auditing Team conducts comprehensive audit at institutions, reports the findings and makes recommendations to the Committee for sharing among staff members. Cape Collinson Correctional Institution and Lai King Correctional Institution were chosen as audit targets in 2014.

Environmental Initiatives

Our environmental initiatives include energy conservation and use of renewable energy, green housekeeping and gradual replacement of conventional electrical appliances and lighting with energy saving types. The Department adheres to full accountability in resource utilisation and works vigilantly to limit wastage, conserve water and control office-related consumption. Concrete actions in the year include enhancing efforts in source separation of wastes at facilities and staff quarters, improving recycling efficiency for materials used in workshops and food waste from institutions, increasing procurement of raw materials and equipment with minimal adverse environmental impacts for industrial production such as using paper with recycled content to produce name cards and government envelopes, refurbishing and repairing the worn and torn fiberglass institution furniture to reduce solid wastes, etc. Chemical and clinical by-products from facilities are handled by licensed contractors and strictly regulated. Emissions controls have been augmented in both institutional infrastructure and all motor vehicles of the Department.

The "Waste No Food" Scheme has been run by Lo Wu Correctional Institution ( LWCI ) to reduce leftover in meals for the second consecutive year. Persons in custody are encouraged to reduce the portion of their staple food including rice, chapatti and potatoes on a voluntary basis. This year, around 80% of the penal population at the Institution has joined the Scheme, resulting in an average of 15 000 bowls of rice being saved each month. In view of the encouraging response to the Scheme, it has been extended to Ma Hang Prison, Nei Kwu Correctional Institution and Tai Lam Centre for Women. The food waste decomposing machine installed at LWCI can handle 100 kg of leftover daily and process the leftover collected into organic fertiliser. The organic fertiliser is used for growing plants in the vicinity of the Institution for greening purposes. As a further step to promote the recycling of organic wastes, an Organic Composting Plant has been installed at Hei Ling Chau Addiction Treatment Centre to treat both food waste and yard waste and recycle them into useful products.

Sewage treatment and filtration systems are regularly inspected and upgraded to prevent the discharge of polluted effluent and to reign in any possible sources of contamination. Noise pollution reduction is a major issue. Noise levels at all locations are monitored and, where necessary and notably at workshops, proper ear protection are provided. Regular air quality assessments are conducted to safeguard the health and well-being of all.

Green Cooperation

Environmental campaigns are made possible through close ties with other agencies and organisations. In cooperation with the Government Logistics Department, greener biodiesel fuel has been in use at Pik Uk Laundry and four other institutions.

Two power companies were invited to conduct energy audit respectively at Pik Uk Laundry and Pak Sha Wan Laundry in order to review the current energy consumption performance and explore ways to enhance energy efficiency. Based on the recommendations, energy saving opportunities have been identified by using more energy efficient lighting system and machinery.

Conservation Campaigns

We use suppliers complying with high environmental standards, and strive to educate our staff and persons in custody with conservation training and formal ecology-related classes. To promote the awareness of staff and the public on environmental conservation, we took part in the annual Hong Kong Flower Show and won notable accolades for our efforts.

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