In 2015/16, we continued to improve the efficient use of energy and other resources while reducing the impact of our operations on the environment. Environmental awareness was enhanced among our staff and customers and our contractors are required to supply environmentally-friendly products and services.
Room temperature is set at 25.5°C
Encourage the use of staircase instead of lifts
Label displayed in the workplace
The total electricity consumption of HKP in 2015/16 was reduced by 5.8% compared to 2014/15.
In 2015/16, AMC took part in the Carbon Reduction Programme of the Hong Kong International Airport. Greenhouse gas emission of the AMC in 2015 was 7% lower than that in 2014.
Following the participation of seven post offices in the Energy-Cum-Carbon Audit Programme organised by Environmental Protection Department and Electrical and Mechanical Services Trading Fund (EMSTF) in November 2014, we put the audit recommendations into practice to achieve energy savings in 2015/16. The total electricity consumption of these offices in 2015/16 was 9.4 % lower than that in 2014/15.
Central Mail Centre (CMC) was awarded the “Excellent” Indoor Air Quality Class while 9 HKP premises was awarded “Good” Indoor Air Quality Class.In 2015/16, under the Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Certification Scheme organised by the Environmental Protection Department, the fifth floor of CMC was awarded the “Excellent” IAQ Class and nine of our premises, namely General Post Office (counter hall and Post Office Box lobby), Morrison Hill Post Office, Shau Kei Wan Post Office, Heng Fa Chuen Post Office, Hung Hom Bay Post Office, Sham Shui Po Post Office, Tung Chung Post Office, Wan Chai Post Office cum Delivery Office and Shek Wu Hui Post Office, were awarded the “Good” IAQ Class.
Wooden pallets collected at the CMC for recycling
In 2015/16, around 1 300 kg food waste collected from the staff canteen at CMC was converted to organic fertiliser. In March 2016, a new food waste machine was installed at the staff canteen at AMC.
Food waste machine at the CMC
Three-coloured recycling bins are placed in the GPO Building, CMC and AMC to collect waste paper, aluminium cans and plastic bottles.
Recycling bins placed at the GPO Building
In 2015/16, our paper consumption was reduced by 5.8% compared to 2014/15. The Integrated Postal Services System (IPSS) was fully commissioned in 2015/16 to streamline and integrate counter operation with back end support processes. The new system supports electronic communication and replaces paper reports with electronic ones. Paper consumption is hence reduced.
We make use of the blank side of used paper for general office purpose whenever possible, while reusing used envelopes and file jackets for internal circulation. Staff are reminded to think twice before making physical copies of documents. Service information leaflets are printed on recycled paper or paper made from wood pulp derived from sustainable forests, and the printing quantity is kept to the minimum.
Blank side of used paper
Postal information and news is disseminated to the public by electronic means through the HKP website (www.hongkongpost.hk), the HKP app and e-DMs.
Website and mobile app of HKP
Settle HKP bills by e-Cheque
e-forms available on HKP’s website
We have installed water flow controllers for water taps on most of our premises to reduce water consumption.
Installation of water flow controller (circled in green)
HKP follows the green specifications promulgated by the Environmental Protection Department in procurement. Green guidelines are adopted in new cleansing contracts while emission requirements are included in the tender specifications for hired vehicle service. In 2015, our green purchase value accounted for 97% of the Department’s total expenditure on products on the green procurement list promulgated by the Environmental Protection Department, compared to 92.7% in 2014.
Green hand soap
We have been using the service-wide e-procurement system for procuring personal computers, network products and server systems under the Government Logistics Department’s Standing Offer Agreement.
In support of the Government’s green initiatives in emission reduction, we ensure that our postal vehicle fleet satisfies the statutory environmental requirements. As at March 2016, HKP’s postal vehicle fleet consisted of 169 environmentally-friendly vehicles, including eight electric vehicles and 98 vehicles which complied with Euro V emission standards. They accounted for 63% of our entire fleet as at March 2016, against 51% as at March 2015. When performing driving duties, our staff strictly observe the statutory requirement on switching off idling engine. Maintenance of our postal vehicles complies with ISO 14001 standards, which is an Environmental Management System certification. Mail delivery in rural areas is supported by 105 bicycle delivery beats.
Environmentally-friendly electric vehicle
Bicycle beat for mail delivery
Environmentally-friendly paper is used for HKP’s philatelic products, including first day covers and souvenir covers. The stamp paper, made with recyclable pulp approved by the Forest Stewardship Council, is manufactured by an ISO 14001 certified company.
As at 31 March 2016, over 16 000 local standing order customers and 2 000 overseas mail order customers had registered to make stamp purchases via our online ordering platform, Stamp OnNet. Up to 25 000 local standing order customers had opted to receive philatelic newsletters and stamp order collection letters by email.
944 staff members attended the environmental protection training module in 2015/16.To nurture a green culture among our staff, we educate our colleagues on environmental protection through the following activities:
Environmental article published in the staff newsletter
“Save Energy” label
HKP actively takes part in green campaigns organised by other organisations. In 2015/16, we participated in a number of activities, such as “Hong Kong No Air-Con Night” organised by Green Sense, “Earth Hour 2016” by World Wide Fund for Nature and “Woodland Conservation Day 2015” by Friends of the Earth (HK).
Staff participating in “Woodland Conservation Day 2015”
Our staff are also encouraged to join various environmental protection initiatives, e.g. mobile service for collection of used electrical and electronic equipment for recycling organised by the Environmental Protection Department and sustainability-conscious food consumption in official entertainment.
In the GREEN PLUS Award 2015 organised by the China Light & Power Holdings Limited to promote energy efficiency, CMC won the Silver Award under the category of “Public Corporation/ Public Utility/ University”. HKP also received the Silver Award in the Energy Saving Inspector Award.
HKP’s achievement in GREEN PLUS Programme 2015
Our staff took part in the Science Park Eco Tour in April 2015 to learn more about the principles and good practices on energy saving.
Science Park Phase 3