HKUST Environmental Report
2008 Update
HKUST
continues to develop a sustainable culture and engage green
practices. This report summarizes our efforts in the year of 2008.
2.3 The amount of used plastic bottles collected increased significantly from 3159kg in the year of 2007 to 4955kg in 2008, representing a 57% increase.
2.4 In the year of 2008, HKUST joined the mercury-containing lamps recycling program launched by the Environmental Protection Department (EPD). Totally 984 fluorescent tubes and 389 light bulbs were recycled in 2008.
HKUST successfully fulfilled the target set by the Wastewi$e Scheme and was once again awarded the “Class of Excellence Wastewi$e Label” in the year of 2008. The multiple waste reduction efforts on campus continued throughout the year, and the addi-tional focus of 2008 was on plastic
banners. The University collected totally 58 pieces of large plastic banners. Some of them were recycled while others were reused as dust covers in the construction areas, workshops and stores within the campus.
2.1 The number of printer cartridge collected increased from 1,661 in the year of 2007 to 1768 in 2008, representing a 6% increase.
2.2 We continued to collect waste paper, aluminum cans, CDs and rechargeable batteries for recycling. The total quantities collected were:
Waste paper : 131,060kg Aluminum can : 174kg CD: 2,236pc
Rechargeable battery: 84pc
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Wastewi$e Award
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Waste Recycling and Minimization
Number of Printer Cartridge (no
.) 2005 2004 2000 1500 1000 500 0 2006 Year 2007 2008
Printer Cartridge Recycling
Used Plastic Bottles Recycling
Used Plastic Bottles (kg)
Year 2005 2004 2003 2006 2007 2008 5000 4000 4500 1500 1000 2000 3000 2500 3500 500 0
2.6 Unwanted chemical reagents were given to chemical users of HKUST or users of other local tertiary insti-tutions free of charge. A total of 15 items (6910g and 9050ml) were transferred in the year of 2008.
3.5 One set of CO2 heat pump was installed to provide hot water for laboratories. Testing and commission-ing works are already in progress.
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Green Building Design
In 2008, a green design policy was adopted for all future campus buildings. The Gold standard of performance under the HK-BEAM (Building Environmental Assessment Method) system had been adopted as a minimum level to be achieved in new building designs.
Annual Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Certificates (Excellent Class) for Library and the S H Ho Sports Hall as well as IAQ Certificates (Good Class) for lecture theatres and computer barns were renewed by EPD.
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Indoor Air Quality
3.6 Three sets of modular designed instantaneous gas water heaters had been installed to replace two conventional gas-fired calorifiers at our athletic field. This avoided on-situ 196,000 MJ gas combus-tion and is equivalent to gas savings of $52,000 per year.
3.7 Installation of eight sets of modular designed instantaneous gas water heaters to replace another two conventional gas-fired calorifiers at student hostels started at the end of 2008.
6.1 Green products on stationery items were included in the stationery supply contracts and some green products such as recycled pencils, files, etc. were purchased.
6.2 Suppliers were required to confirm whether their products offered in the quotation complied with the green standard ISO14000.
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Green Procurement
With the full support from Hang Seng Bank, the Student Affairs Office launched the HKUST-Hang Seng Bank Green Ambassador Program which aims to empower HKUST students to be role models and agents of change in the University and the community. Through training, service learning, internship and other activities, the program fosters green knowledge and leadership skills of students who can help enhance the environmental and sustainability awareness of their peers and the public, and can help solve critical environmental issues facing our community. Students who have successfully com-pleted the program requirements will be awarded the “HKUST – Hang Seng Bank Green Ambassador” recogni-tion in their academic transcript upon their graduarecogni-tion.
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Hang Seng Bank Green Ambassador
Program
2.7 The Students Union continued old book sales in August 2008. A total of 304 books were sold. Another 145 books were donated to outside organi-zations.
2.8 The Students Social Service Society together with the student halls organized an activity to reuse unwanted items during the hall check-out exercises in January and June 2008.
2.9 Collection of used moon-cake boxes for recycling after the Mid-Autumn Festival was organized by the Staff Association.
2.10 Facilities Management Office (FMO) continued to organize the Garage Sale in May and November 2008.
3.1 669 sets of energy efficient lamps were installed to replace aged and less energy efficient units in Academic Building areas. This replacement, plus ongoing lighting optimization by fine-tuning of lighting operation hours and illumination levels, saves $130,000 per annum.
3.2 A variable speed drive (VSD) was added to a virtual stack fan on top of the laboratory block to reduce fan speed and energy consumption during low pollutant emission period overnight. It saves $24,000 per annum.
3.3 Service-on-demand controls were installed for 4 esca-lators which saves $8,000 per annum.
3.4 The solar-boosted heat pump water heater project worked jointly with CLP Power Hong Kong Limited won the Highest Feasibility Award in HK TREE (Technology and Renewable Energy Event) 2008 competition.
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Resource Conservation
2.5 About 14,400kg food waste was collected and converted to fertilizer/soil condi-tioner in 2008.
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Promotion of Environmental
Awareness
-8.1 An Environment Week was organized from 2 to 6 June 2008. The Environment Week included exhibi-tions, environmental tours, general interest talks, research technical seminars, public lectures and a day-long forum. Speakers included:
Prof Alexis Lau of HKUST, topic: Air Quality Man-agement in Hong Kong.
Ir Ho Wai-yip of Electrical and Mechanical Services Department, topic: Use of Renewable Energy.
Ms Sharon Chan of Hong Kong Organic Resources Center, topic: Certification of Organic Products. Mr Mark Kelly of Woods Bagot – Architectural Consultant, topic: Sustainable Building.
Mr Arthur Lee of Environmental Protection Department, topic: Waste Management and Reduction in Hong Kong.
Dr Havey Houng of Taiwan EPA, topic: Sustainable Material Management in Taiwan.
Prof Canfa Wang of Chinese University of Political Services and Law, topic 1: The Environmental Problems and Environmental Law in China, topic 2: The Current Situation and Challenge and Suggested Reform of China Environmental Law. Prof Jiahua Pan of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, topic: China’s Energy and Emissions Embodied in Trade.
Prof Andrew Weaver of University of Victoria, topic 1: High Latitude Ocean – Climate Interac-tions: The past, the present and the future, topic 2: Global Warming: The Scale of the Problem and the Path to the Solution.
Prof Philip Jones of Cardiff University, topic 1: Modelling the Built Environment, topic 2: Policy and Practice for a More Sustainable Built Environ-ment.
Ms Leith Sharp of Harvard University, topic: Transformation Toward Campus Sustainability: The Harvard Case Study.
-Mr David Newport of University of Colorado, topic: Making Sustainability Social: A Key to Campus Climate Action.
Prof Gerald Patchell of HKUST, topic: Highlights of HKUST’s Progress on Environmental Activities and the HKUST Sustainability Report.
8.3 FMO and Health, Safety and Environment Office (HSEO) jointly organized an activity to clean the rubbish on the seabed off the coastline of our campus.
8.4 FMO and HSEO also led campus green tours to provide on-site, hands-on experience on HKUST green practices for members of our campus com-munity.
8.2 Topics and panelists for panel discussion sessions included:
Linking University Initiatives to the Community Panelist: Prof Yuk-shan WONG (HKUST), Ms
Chris-tine Loh (Civic – Exchange), Mr Chandran Nair (Global Institute for Tomorrow), Dr Andrew Thomson (Business Environment Council) and Mr Tony Tyler (Cathay Pacific). Sustainability – A Leadership Role for Higher Educa-tion
Panelist: Dr Joseph Kwan (HKUST), Dr Edmond Hau (Polytechnic University), Ms Ann Kildahl (The University of Hong Kong), Mr Michael Kwok (Hong Kong Baptist University) and Mr S K Lam (The Chinese University of Hong Kong).
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Environmental Research Projects
11.1 Used cooking oil was collected from catering outlets for recycling. The total quantity collected in 2008 was 8270kg.
11.2 HSEO continued to collect water samples from potable water outlets, University’s swimming pools and Dental Clinic to ensure proper provision of good quality water for the campus community.
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Water Quality Control
HKUST continues to comply with all environmental regu-latory requirements applicable to University’s operations. These include monitoring of waste water and sea water discharges, hazardous waste management, air emission and environmental noise, etc.
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Environmental Compliance
The HKUST University Administrative Committee appointed this subcommittee to help assemble strategic plans to facilitate students, faculty, staff and alumni to make a positive contribution to environmental sustain-ability and to reduce HKUST’s own environmental impact. Members include :
Prof Alexis Lau, Co-Chair Dr Joseph Kwan, Co-Chair Dr David Mole, AVP-AA Prof Jerry Patchell, SHSS Prof Wenxiong Wang, SCI Prof Chris Chao, SENG Prof Paul Harrison, IENV Mr Mike Hudson, FMO Mr C K Yeung, OUDPA Mr Calvin Lee Kwan, IENV Prof Paul Forster, SBM
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Environmental Sustainability
Steering
Committee
For further information, please contact Health, Safety and Environment Office, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong. E-mail: [email protected] Telephone: 2358 7229 / 2358 6509
Units engaging in environmental studies include: Atmospheric, Marine and Coastal Environment Program
Department of Biology Department of Chemistry
Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Department of Mathematics
Department of Mechanical Engineering HKUST Fok Ying Tung Graduate School Institute for the Environment
HKUST conducted a number of environmental research projects on different environmental issues including environment and sustainable development, production of renewable high qual-ity biodiesel, green slope engineering, air pollution treatment, air quality study, ultrafine particles and their respiratory health impacts, link between air pollution and the occurrence of harmful algal blooms in waters, remediation of heavy metal contaminated groundwater, mercury contamina-tion in freshwater and marine fish, metals in the marine environment, using the genetic markers of arcobacter (bacteria) as pollution indicators for seawaters, separation and recovery of dissolved precious metals, etc.
9.1
9.2
9.3 A comprehensive list of environmental research projects conducted in 2008 is accessible at:
http://www.ab.ust.hk/hseo/EnvRep/env08.pdf
-The Organic Farming Club continued to recruit staff and students to participate in organic farming activity.
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Organic Farming
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