Chapter 5 - THE WAY FORWARD
To strive for continuous improvement, we will –
- monitor the effectiveness of the green measures in place, and modify and improve them as and when necessary;
- review our environmental objectives regularly and make use of new techniques as far as possible; and
- promote staff awareness of and knowledge on environmental issues, and support green initiatives and campaigns organised by other organisations.
Towards a Better Environment
We will continue to take forward the following environmental initiatives to help create a better environment.
Upgrading of Cremation Facilities
Works for the expansion of Wo Hop Shek Crematorium including provision of two new cremators and a service hall commenced in late December 2018. The target completion date of the two new cremators is advanced to April 2022. The two cremators meet prevailing standards set by the EPD, and adopt the most up-to-date technologies and use fuel that increases cremation efficiency and reduces air pollutant emission, thereby minimising impact on the environment.
Upgrading of Columbarium Facilities
To encourage the public to adopt environmentally friendly ways to pay tribute to the deceased and to improve air quality, furnaces with exhaust air treatment facilities for burning joss paper have been installed at Tsang Tsui Columbarium and Wo Hop Shek Kiu Tau Road Columbarium Phase VI which were commissioned in 2020. Also, incense troughs for burning joss sticks have been installed only at specified locations on non-smoke-free floors of the columbaria. The new columbarium at Shek Mun to be commissioned in 2024 will be totally smoke-free.
Green Burial Services
We will continue to promote more sustainable means of interment, i.e. scattering of cremated human ashes at sea or in gardens of remembrance (GORs). We have enhanced the free ferry service for scattering of cremated ashes and will continue to provide GORs in new columbaria where appropriate. We have been liaising with various religious bodies and operators of private cemeteries to solicit their support for providing more GORs as far as practicable. We also provide the Internet Memorial Service website and its mobile app., with functions for personalised profile settings and notifications and sharing with social media. Furthermore, we launched a thematic website on green burial in March 2018 to facilitate public access to information on relevant services. To promote digital worshipping and for public convenience, we have provided electronic memorial kiosks in Diamond Hill and Cape Collinson GoRs in March and May 2021 respectively. Besides, we have launched the Green Burial Central Register since January 2019 to encourage the public to plan ahead and share their green burial wish with their family members.
Improvement of Refuse Collection Points and Public Toilets
It is our policy to build properly designed off-street RCPs equipped with modern deodorising systems and vehicle exhaust extraction devices to minimise environmental nuisance to nearby residents. We will continue to carry out improvement works to public toilets and aqua privies.
Enhanced Intensive Street Washing and Gum Removal
We will continue to use pressure washer surface cleaners/high pressure hot water cleaners for street washing and gum removal to enhance street cleanliness with a view to maintaining Hong Kong as a world class metropolitan and meeting public expectation for a cleaner city.
Pest Control
We will continue to adopt an integrated approach in pest control operations, putting equal emphasis on judicious application of pesticides and continuous improvement of environmental hygiene. We will continue to review pest control methodologies and technologies regularly, making reference to the World Health Organisation’s latest recommendations.
Green Drive
We will continue to implement green housekeeping practices and promote staff awareness of paper saving, energy saving and waste recycling. We will also work in partnership with EMSD to arrange energy saving briefings to venue managers and staff, and explore further energy saving initiatives.
Comments and Suggestions
This report can be viewed at our homepage at www.fehd.gov.hk. Comments and suggestions on the report are most welcome. Please write to our Green Manager at Food and Environmental Hygiene Department, 44/F, Queensway Government Offices, 66 Queensway, Hong Kong or email us at fehdhqgen@fehd.gov.hk.