********************************************************
The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) announced today (January 8) that open tenders are being invited for the service contracts for three Community Green Station (CGS) projects, namely the Kwun Tong CGS, the Yuen Long CGS and the Sham Shui Po CGS.
An EPD spokesman said, "The Sha Tin CGS and the Eastern CGS commenced operation in May and September last year respectively to meet the needs of the local community. We are actively developing CGS projects in other districts. Among them, the Kwun Tong CGS, the Yuen Long CGS and the Sham Shui Po CGS have already started construction and are expected to be commissioned starting from the second half of this year. The department is now inviting tenders so that the operators can be appointed to start services for the public as early as possible."
Since 2013, the EPD has been progressively developing CGS projects in all 18 districts. The CGS projects, to be operated by non-profit-making organisations (NPOs), aim to enhance environmental education and assist local communities in the collection of various recyclables, thereby enabling green living to take root at the community level. Under the service contract, the operator needs to proactively support local waste reduction and recycling work through close liaison and collaboration with property management companies, organisations, enterprises, public service agencies and more with the aim of complementing the current recyclable collection services of local recyclers, especially the collection of various low-value recyclables (such as electrical appliances, computers, plastic bottles, glass bottles, compact fluorescent lamps and rechargeable batteries). In addition, the facilities will also hold within the community relevant publicity and promotional activities about environmental protection.
For this tender invitation, eligible NPOs can submit tenders for more than one CGS service contract. To encourage more NPOs to participate in community environmental services, each tenderer can normally be awarded a maximum of one CGS service contract in this round of tender. Details of the associated tenderer acceptance rules can be found in the respective tender documents. The EPD will evaluate the Technical Proposal and Price Proposal of each received tender in accordance with the established procedures. Results are expected to be announced in mid-2016.
The EPD spokesman said, "The CGS projects can complement the current recyclable collection services of private recyclers. NPOs can help the CGS facilities to establish local networks. Furthermore, when compared to private operators, NPOs usually attach more importance to community participation, which can help promote environmental education. We will welcome a situation in which CGS facilities in different districts can be operated by NPOs with different backgrounds and experience, maximising the effectiveness of the CGS network through mutual co-operation."
The tender for the three CGS service contracts will close at noon on March 8 (Tuesday) this year. Interested parties may obtain the tender documents from the Waste Management Policy Group of the EPD, Room 801-804, 8/F, AIA Tower, 183 Electric Road, North Point, Hong Kong, during office hours. They may also refer to the EPD website at www.epd.gov.hk for additional information. For enquiries, please call 3528 0478.
The EPD is also progressively developing CGS projects in other districts. Sites have been confirmed for eight CGS projects, namely those in Islands, Tsuen Wan, Kwai Tsing, Tai Po, Sai Kung, Tuen Mun, Wan Chai and Wong Tai Sin. Site selection for the remaining five CGS projects is continuing.
Ends/Friday, January 8, 2016
Issued at HKT 09:30
NNNN