The Secretary for the Environment, Mr Wong Kam-sing, went to Tsuen Wan District today (January 18) to visit Tsuen Wan Sports Centre, which is under construction, and a secondary school. He also exchanged views with members of Tsuen Wan District Council (TWDC) on environmental issues.

     Accompanied by the Vice Chairman of the TWDC, Mr Wong Wai-kit, and the District Officer (Tsuen Wan), Miss Jenny Yip, Mr Wong first visited Tsuen Wan Sports Centre, which is currently under construction, to see its green features. The building, which has achieved the Provisional Gold rating under the Hong Kong Green Building Council's BEAM Plus New Buildings Version 1.2, is equipped with a host of environmentally friendly and energy-saving facilities. In addition to a green roof and vertical greening, solar energy is being adopted in its lighting and water heating systems. Natural lighting and daylight sensors are also being used in some of its facilities to enhance its energy efficiency, as well as water-saving showerheads to reduce water consumption.

     Afterwards, Mr Wong met with the Chairman of the TWDC, Mr Chung Wai-ping, and other TWDC members to learn more about their concerns on district environmental issues and their views on the Government's environmental policies. He stressed that waste reduction at source is of utmost importance in effectively reducing waste disposed of at landfills. The Government will introduce the amendment bill on municipal solid waste charging into the Legislative Council as soon as possible to provide financial incentives for members of the public to practise waste reduction at source and clean recycling. At the same time, the Government will continue to collaborate with all District Councils and other stakeholders to promote the culture of "Dump Less, Save More, Recycle Right” through a wide range of public education activities.

     Before concluding his visit, Mr Wong visited Ho Fung College (Sponsored by Sik Sik Yuen), a bronze winner of the 2016 Hong Kong Green School Award held by the Environmental Campaign Committee. In addition to the provision of energy-efficient fluorescent lights and solar boilers as well as the setting up of a green farm, the school has been taking forward a green student ambassador scheme to help promote waste reduction and recycling on the campus, including the reuse of environmental bags and the recycling of plastic beverage bottles. Mr Wong commended the school for its Green Campus Scheme, which helps nurture environmental awareness among students. He called on its teachers and students to continue to go low-carbon and to waste less in their daily lives, as well as to promote a green living culture among their family members and friends.

Ends/Thursday, January 18, 2018
Issued at HKT 17:50

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