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The Sha Tin Community Green Station (CGS), which is the first of its kind in Hong Kong, will open to the public at 2pm tomorrow (May 12). Apart from specified closed days, members of the public will be able to visit the Sha Tin CGS from 8am to 8pm on a daily basis and enjoy the activities and facilities there.
A spokesman for the Environmental Protection Department (EPD)today (May 11) said, "The Government is now progressively developing CGSs, which will be run by non-profit making organisations, in each of the 18 districts to promote environmental education and help collect different types of recyclables at the district level. For the Sha Tin CGS, the first project completed under the territory-wide programme, the Christian Family Service Centre has been chosen as the operator through open tender. Since its trial run started in February this year, the Sha Tin CGS has been well-received by the community. With preparatory work such as venue decoration and other logistical arrangements in place, the Sha Tin CGS is now ready to open for public use."
The Sha Tin CGS, as with other CGS projects, is both aesthetic and practical in its design and construction, and has incorporated elements of sustainable development and green buildings. The project is made up of container modules and various types of green construction materials. Coupled with greening, the site, which used to be temporary parking space, has been greatly beautified to become a public space that can be used by the local community, thus achieving a "place-making" effect.
Serving to promote environmental education at the district level, the Sha Tin CGS has been equipped with multi-purpose rooms and other ancillary facilities for holding exhibitions, seminars, workshops and other kinds of educational activities. The operator will organise sharing sessions to exchange views with relevant local stakeholders on its initial work plan and local expectations before finalising its activity programme and starting relevant publicity. In addition, the operator will organise regular guided tours to introduce to visitors the design features of the Sha Tin CGS, and the multi-purpose rooms will be available for use by local schools and district organisations if not otherwise occupied.
The Sha Tin CGS will also serve to supplement the existing services of local private recyclers and will focus on providing collection services for recyclables of lower economic value (such as electrical appliances, compact fluorescent lamps and tubes, glass bottles and rechargeable batteries). These materials will be delivered to qualified recyclers for proper treatment and turning waste into resources. Since its trial operation, the operator has already established collaboration arrangements with over 70 housing estates, institutions and schools in the district and depending on their circumstances may have started collecting waste electrical appliances and/or glass bottles there. The operator will extend its service network in the district and increase the types of recyclables to be collected.
"The Sha Tin CGS and private recyclers serve different functions and will not be competing with each other. On the contrary, the successful implementation of the project will progressively enhance the quantity and quality of recyclables collected in the district, and provide a wide range of waste products and materials for local recycling. We hope the stakeholders in the district, especially schools and property management companies, can actively offer their views to maximise the benefits to be brought about by the Sha Tin CGS," the spokesman said.
The latest information on the services of the Sha Tin CGS will be announced by the operator through social media and other suitable channels. Enquiries can also be made by telephone at 2285 9433.
In addition, the EPD tendered a three-year service contract to Po Leung Kuk in April for the operation of the CGS in Eastern District. The Eastern CGS will commence operation as soon as possible following the completion of construction work. The remaining 16 CGSs are in different construction or planning stages and the EPD will make announcements on the progress of these projects at a suitable time.
Ends/Monday, May 11, 2015
Issued at HKT 16:39
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