HKUST Environmental Report 2005 Update

aste reduction a n d proper management, resource conservation and the prevention of air

of

Science a n d Technology (HKUST), environmental protection is an integral part

of

our teaching,

research and other major operations.

To ensure environmental awareness and proper practices in our

campus cornmunib it

is

the policy

of

HKUST

to

provide for the protection

of

its

personnel, attending

students, visitors, facilities and surrounding environment through the development and implementation

of

a comprehensive safe?. a n d environmental protection programme.

This

programme aims at

encouraging

all

stakeholders

to

foster the culture a n d practice

of

environmental protection at our

University. The achievements in 2005 reflected the Universij.'s commitment and efforts in this mission.

w

and water pollution are crucial to Hong Kong's sustainable future.

At

the Hong Kong University

1.

Waste Recycling and Minimization

In 2005, HKUST once again demonstrated our effort in implementing the Wastewi$e Scheme and fulfilled the required targets. ecutivc ycar during which HKUST the "Gold Wastewise Logo". The following duction targets achieved

items for charity purposes

f "Social Recycling Programme" nment Social Welfare DeDartment

1.4 The collection of used printer cartridges also continued. A total of 1,697

1.8

1.9

Two rounds of "Garagc Sale" at the multi-storey car park of HKUST were organized by Estates Management Office (EMO) in 2005. The Staff Association also participated and money raised !?om sales was donated to the Staff Association for community serviccs.

The collection of used moon- cake boxes was organized by the StaffAssociation after the Mid-Autumn Festival.

1 ,I0 The Chemical Exchange Program (CEP) at HKUST is also an

ongoing program. Safety and Environmental Protection Of€ice (SEPO) continues to assume the role of managing the CEP. A total of 41 items of various unwanted chemical reagents were given t o users in 2005. The CEP of HKUST was awarded a "Certificate of Merit-Green Innovative Practice" under the scheme of Hong Kong Eco-Business Awards.

erformance contract for the

s reduced 1,109 Mega Watt ing into savings of HK$I .5 ance of 744 tones C02 emission.

om two ccntral gas c water heaters had ie relevant pipe heat

ork was greatly reduced 2.3

2.4

Therc were 381 scts of T j fluorcsccnt lamps and 33 scts of

LED exit signs adopted for replacement of aged conventional counterparts in staff quarter areas. This replacement. plus ongoing optimization of lighting. ventilation and lift services through nano reflectors' addition and other control measures. saved energy expenditure by HKS99.000 per annum.

Similar to last year's practices for the operation of our air- conditioning system, another 150 spring-return type control valves were installed to replace existing floating-type valties for automatic close-off of chilled water supply to fan coil units during scheduled power off period. The replacement further reduced pumping e n e r a by 300 KWH per day during the hot season, translating into savings of H K S l 3 6 per day.

3. Clean

Air

3.1 Under the Indoor Air Quality " " __--^"-

Certification Scheme for offices and public places, the indoor air

quality of the Library building

I

_I

!

I

of the Scheme and has been , 1

I

I

!

I

i

awardcd the Indoor Air Quality Certificate - "Excellent Class" in March 2005. In addition. our computer barns also fidly comply with the indoor air quality objectives of the Scheme and

have been awarded an Indoor Air Quality Certificate - "Good Class" i n July 1005. The Scheme was launched by the Govcmmcnt Enviromncntal Protcction Deparhnent and managed by the Indoor Air Quality Information Centre.

i

i

__

whilst energy efficiency of hot water provision was increased due to adODtion of instantancous clcctric water heater. The

3.2 Vehicle's Exhaust Emission Control

anticipated reduction in annual gas energy usage has been estimated to be 2,763 Giga Joules (GJ). translating into savings of HKS0.7 million and avoidance of 296 tones C02 emission.

The use of bio-diesel has the advantage of cleaner emission. In 2005, E M 0 conducted a performance test of a bio-diesel fuel in two vehicles and a standby electric generator. The test is an ongoing work.

The arrangement of pooled transportation for EM0 operations on campus continued.

For school buses, drivers arc rcquircd to switch off the vehicle's engines while waiting for passengers. As usual, starting the engines is only allowed at 5 minutes before departure.

4. Promotion

of

Environmental Protection

Separation of Waste" was co- organized by the Environmental Campaign Committee of Environmental Protection Department and SEPO at the HKUST Atrium in 2005. Staff and students eagerly participated in the event.

Atmospheric, Marine & Coastal Environment Program Department of Biology

Department of Chemistry

Department of Chemical Engineering Department of Civil Engineering Department of Mathematics

Department of Mechanical Engineering Institute for the Environment

A comprehensive list of environmental research projects

conducted in 2005 is accessible at:

httjx/,,nwn:

ah.

hk/sepidEnvRep/envOS.pdf

4.2 The Photographic Society

organized a photo exhibition in 2005. Photographic works on scenery and nature were displayed to promote the appreciation

and love of nature.

6.

Water Quality Control

6.1 In 2005, a total of 23,040kg used cooking oil were collected from catering outlets for recycling.

4.3 In summer 2005, two new environmental courses, co-taught by faculty members of HKUST and UCLA, were offered to local and foreign students.

6.2 Monitoring of water quality is an ongoing effort. Water samples were collected from potable water outlets, University's swimming pools and Dental Clinics for water quality testing.

5.

Environmental Research Projects

HKUST continued to conduct research on different environmental issues including air purification technology, atmospheric organic aerosols, fine particulate matter, anionic pollutant adsorption, indoor air quality, use and treatment of waste, washing of contaminated soils, marine environmental research, waste water treatment, environmental applications of ndnochitosans, production and environmental applications of biosorbents and environmental friendly paint, renewable energy resources, physical infrastructures' service life management / maintenance, sustainable public transit services, etc. Units engaging in environmental studies include:

THE HONG KONG UNIVERSITY

OF

SCIENCE

TECHNOLOGY

7.

Environmental Compliance

HKUST continues to comply with all environmental regulatory requirements applicable to University's operations. These include monitoring of waste water and sea water discharges, hazardous waste management, air emission and environmental noise.

For. further infomution. please conruct Suzety anri~tii~irotinrentirl

Protectiori Ofice, Hong Kong Lhiversip of Science and Technolog?:

Clear Ffhter I 3 q liowloon. Hong Koitg.

E-mail : sajhty@;wt.hk Telephotre : 235s 722912358 6509

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