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Publications and Access to Information

CORPORATE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

Environmental policy and objectives

In support of the Government’s commitment to set a good example in environmental protection, the Department implemented the Green Manager Scheme in November 1993 to enhance green housekeeping measures in the workplace.

In June 1996, the Department issued a policy statement on environmental protection and assigned a Departmental Green Manager to promote corporate green culture within the department, remind staff of the department’s environmental policy, enhance their awareness in green housekeeping practices, inspire their participation in green management programmes, initiate new action plans where appropriate in supporting the Government’s long-term strategy on environmental protection and monitor the implementation of various green measures. Since 1998, the Department has incorporated in its annual departmental report major green management initiatives and performance.

Staff participation

To enable the effective implementation of various green measures, staff’s support and vigorous participation are of particular importance.  In this regard, the Department encourages staff to give suggestions on new initiatives of green management through the Staff Suggestion Scheme.  Over the years, many practicable green proposals put forth by staff have been adopted.

Individual services of the Department have assigned energy wardens to monitor energy consumption in workplace and the implementation of various green housekeeping measures in offices and clinic units under their purview. In this regard, over 200 energy wardens have been assigned.

Waste management

To enhance public awareness in separate waste recycling, the Department has participated in the Waste Separation and Recycling Campaign since 2002.  Waste separation bins are placed in clinics and office floors of the Department to enable separate collection of waste paper, aluminium cans and plastic bottles by waste collectors for recycling.  This year, a total 10 612 kg of waste papers were collected for recycling.  In addition, empty toner cartridges of colour printers and laser printers have been separately collected for recycling.

The Department follows the guidelines issued by the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) in segregation, packaging, labelling and storage of clinical wastes and chemical wastes.  In this regard, clinical wastes, chemical wastes and domestic wastes arising from clinics or laboratories are segregated from each other.  Clinical wastes such as sharps boxes, and used dressings are placed in red plastic waste bags, properly labelled, securely fastened and temporarily stored in the designated area before being carried away by clinical waste collectors for disposal.  The designated area for clinical waste storage is also provided with visibly clear warning sign, protected from water and rain, always kept clean and dry and secure from unauthorised persons.

To comply with the Waste Disposal (Chemical Waste) (General) Regulation, chemical wastes arising from clinics or laboratories are segregated from clinical wastes and domestic wastes, temporarily stored in a designated area which is only accessible by clinic staff and collected by the EPD’s licensed collectors for disposal.  Domestic wastes are placed in normal black plastic waste bags for disposal.

Economical use of paper

The Department has adopted the following housekeeping measures to economise the use of paper:

Green purchase

The Department has implemented the following green procurement initiatives to support the use of environmentally friendly products:

Energy conservation

The Department has adopted the following energy saving measures:

Air quality improvement

Being the Government’s health adviser, the Department has been taking a leading role in the smoke-free workplace policy since 1982. This policy has been applied to all institutions of the Department since 1996.

From both the green management and the infection control aspects, adequate fresh air ventilation in the working environment of clinics and health centres is important for protecting the health of staff and the public. Since 1999, Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) tests and cleaning of air-ducts of air conditioning systems have been conducted by EMSD periodically for clinics and offices of the Department to enhance the operational efficiency of air conditioning systems and to ensure adequate fresh air ventilation.

To support reducing air pollution caused by exhaust emissions of vehicles, the Department has taken the following measures:



Last Revision Date : 10 Jul 2014