EPD Partnership with Trade & Industry

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If not well managed, people's homes could become sources of several irritating pollution problems to the community. Domestic renovation work often creates noise and air pollution nuisances. Expedient drainage connection leads to long lasting water pollution problem. In removal of Unauthorized Building Works, there could also be asbestos removal problem. Housing estates also produce vast quantities of waste, much of it recyclable. The EPD has formed partnerships with the housing and property management sectors, with a view to address to these issues.

Property Management Sector

Pollution problems, such as noise and mess from domestic renovation work attract complaints from the public. Back in 1999, EPD started to work with the trade, including the Hong Kong Association of Property Management Companies to share ideas on improving pollution control practices in property management. An EPD / Property Management Partnership Liaison Group was then formally established to widen the scope of partnership by enhancing communication and cooperation with the trade on various environmental issues encountered in property management.

To promote good environmental practices in property management, EPD has produced a series of trade specific training materials, and organized seminars and workshops to provide training for property management personnel in both private and public sectors, and also residents’ committee members.

On the other hand, EPD has successfully persuaded property management companies to incorporate environmental clauses and requirements into the property owners’ manual for new residential estates. Furthermore, EPD has also been liaising with the Lands Department to consider including environmental protection clauses into the Deeds of Mutual Covenant for new property developments. These will empower property management agents to make appropriate house rules for better protection of the environment.

A dedicated website " http://www.epd.gov.hk/epd/textonly/english/greenproperty/" has also been launched to disseminate EPD's guidelines, news, programmes and activities to the community on green property management.

Waste in Housing Estates

Waste reduction task forces have been set up for both the private and public housing sectors. For the private sector, the task force includes 13 key members of the Hong Kong Association of Property Management Companies - namely, Hutchison Whampoa Properties Ltd, Citybase Property Management Ltd., Eastpoint Property Management Services Ltd., Goodwell Property Management Ltd., Guardian Property Management Ltd., Hang Yick Properties Management Ltd, Hong Yip Service Co. Ltd., Hsin Chong Real Estate Management Ltd., Kai Shing Management Services Ltd., MTR Property Management, Sino Estates Management Ltd., Urban Property Management Ltd., and Hong Kong Housing Society.

Under the guidance of the private housing estate task force, many private estates have joined waste recovery schemes. More than 1020 private estates have joined the Environmental Campaign Committee's (ECC) Waste Recycling Campaign. More than 214 private estates have joined a plastic bottle collection trial in which the recovery rate has tripled since the scheme began in April 2001. And the Building Regulations have been amended to provide space in new buildings for waste separation and recovery.

The task force on public housing includes representatives from the Housing Department, Housing Society and Food and Environmental Hygiene Department. All 176 public housing estates have joined the ECC's Waste Recycling Campaign. Workshops have been organised for staff and residents and guidelines issued to frontline staff on the proper handling of recyclables. A trial has been undertaken on placing waste separation bins on each floor of selective housing estates. In 2001-02, waste was reduced by 13 per cent as a result of these efforts.

The EPD also assists the Kai Shing Management Services Ltd and Hong Yip Service Co Ltd to organise Environmentally-Friendly Year 2002 in 200 estates. More than 1,000 residents and staff have been recruited and appointed as Green Managers and Green Ambassadors. Recycling competitions have been organised and an exchange square for used items has been set up. An environmental workshop has been organised for domestic helpers. And an inventory is being taken to monitor progress in achieving the targets of reducing waste by 10,000 tonnes in 2002 and recovering 12,000 tonnes of waste for recycling.

Another recent initiative involves the collection of plastic bags. Five private and public housing estates are participating in a trial recovery scheme, including Cho Yiu Chuen, Homantin Estate, Easy Point City, Bayshore Towers, Pacific View, Saddle Ridge Garden, the Waterside and Metro City Phase I. The trial, which is organised by the EPD, aims to recover dry, clean and tidy post-consumer plastic bags for recycling. It started in August 2002 and will run for six months. 2002 and will run for six months.

ISO 14001 EMS and Environmental Performance Reporting

The EPD has been encouraging the housing and property management sector, and all private organisations, to improve their environmental performance since 1994. A major focus of these efforts is the adoption of the ISO 14001 environmental management system and environmental reporting. These tools have been promoted by the EPD over the years through seminars and workshops and through self-help guidebooks.

The property management sector has been active in pursuing various environmental initiatives. 47 ISO 14001 certificates had been issued to 44 property management companies by December 2008, of a total 615. A list of certified organisations is posted on the EPD's website. The site also contains statements from the companies on the benefits of certification. It is hoped this will encourage others in the trade to improve their environmental management practices.

Additionally, two leading property management companies have produced environmental performance reports since 1999.