Green Management

The Department always places environmental protection in high priorities in every aspect of its operation. We strictly comply with relevant laws, regulations and standards, and strive to maintain best results and achieve further improvements. Correctional facilities are designed and operated in an environmentally friendly manner, while conservation of resources remains tightly enforced throughout. Going hand in hand, waste reduction, recycling, green procurement and education of staff and persons in custody are all pivotal components in departmental efforts towards good stewardship of the environment.

To facilitate the coordination of environmental work in the Department, the Green Manager's Committee was formed in 1999. It sets environmental objectives and adopts measures in line with the government's environmental policies. The Environmental Auditing Team conducts comprehensive audits at institutions, reports the findings and makes recommendations to the Committee for sharing among institutions for reference. Pik Uk Correctional Institution and Hei Ling Chau Addiction Treatment Centre were chosen for conducting audits in 2017.

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 models, such as the replacement of aged floodlight system by LED type and replacement of split-type air conditioners by variable frequency drive types. The Department makes its best endeavours in resource utilisation and works vigilantly to limit wastage, conserve water and control office-related consumption. In 2017, the Department jointly worked with the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) and the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) to conduct a feasibility study on the replacement of the biodiesel boilers with gas boilers at Pik Uk Laundry by 2019 in a bid to reducing carbon emission. In respect of food waste management, to further promote the awareness and acceptance of food waste reduction best practices among institutional staff and persons in custody, Food Wise Ambassadors were appointed in correctional institutions in 2016 and 2017. For promoting food waste reduction, a poster design competition was conducted for the persons in custody in early 2016. Apart from Lo Wu Correctional Institution (LWCI), the Department signed the Food Wise Charter with the EPD in 2015. Moreover, the “Waste No Food” Scheme has been run by LWCI to reduce leftover in meals for the fifth consecutive year. Persons in custody are encouraged to reduce the portion of their staple food including rice, chapatti and potatoes on a voluntary basis. In 2017, around 80% of the penal population at the Institution has joined the Scheme, resulting in an estimated average of about 15 000 bowls of rice being saved each month. In view of the encouraging response to the Scheme, it has been extended to Nei Kwu Correctional Institution, Tai Lam Centre for Women (TLCW) and the Elderly Unit of Tai Lam Correctional Institution in 2013 and 2014. According to the two surveys carried out in 2017, the food-waste quantities of the 29 correctional institutions were at an average of 0.09 kg per-PIC-per-day in the food-waste survey periods, representing a reduction from 0.11 kg in August 2015. In addition to the machines installed at LWCI and Stanley Prison, a food waste decomposing machine was also installed at TLCW in 2017. The decomposing machines process the leftover collected into organic fertiliser. The organic fertiliser is used for growing plants in the vicinity of the Institutions for greening purposes. Sewage treatment and filtration systems are regularly inspected and upgraded to prevent the discharge of polluted effluent and eliminate contamination sources. Noise control is another important task. Noise levels at all locations are monitored and, where necessary and notably at workshops, proper ear protectors are provided. Regular indoor air quality assessments are also conducted to safeguard the health and well-being of all.

Environmental campaigns are made possible through close ties with other agencies and organisations. In cooperation with the Water Supplies Department, we had carried out works to monitor water flow in 10 institutions with a view to formulating the best practice guides for compliance by institutions to boost water efficiency in institutions. In this connection, we worked with the Architectural Services Department to repair water pipes and replace screw-down type water taps by self-closing taps in relevant institutions where existing resources permit. On energy conservation, the Chief Executive has, in his 2015 Policy Address, announced a new target of achieving a 5% saving in electricity consumption for government buildings under comparable operating conditions between 2015-16 and 2019-20. The Department is working proactively with the EMSD to meet the target. In 2015-16 and 2016-17, the EMSD arranged to conduct energy audits at 21 correctional institutions with higher energy consumption and compiled energy audit reports. Energy management opportunities have been identified by using more energy efficient lighting facilities, air-conditioning systems and machineries, etc. As compared with 2013-14 under comparable operating conditions, the electricity consumption under the Department's meter account was reduced by 7.8% in 2016-17.

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