PTS wins recognition of "green initiatives"
Police Training School (PTS) has won the Green Office Award of the "2003 Hong Kong Eco-Business Awards" for its commitment to, and achievement in, environmental management.
The former Chairman of PTS's Green Management Committee, and also former PTS Deputy Commandant, Mr Mark Buxton, received the award from the Secretary for Environment, Transport and Works, Dr Sarah Liao, at a presentation ceremony at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre last month.
The Award Scheme was organised by the Environmental Campaign Committee in conjunction with a number of other organisations. The Green Office Award aims at encouraging companies or organisations to take environmental measures for developing green office culture within their workplaces.
Since the establishment of its Green Management Committee, PTS has made considerable progress in promoting green management awareness through the medium of education. Recognising that PTS was in an ideal position to assist in environmental education, the Committee has sought to raise awareness in all areas relating to green management, with the aim of encouraging PTS staff and trainees to better protect and preserve the environment.
The Committee's key objectives are the application of the three R's principles, namely reusing and recycling waste materials and reducing the use of resources accompanied by the introduction of the "Green Office" concept. Divisional "Green Leaders" and "Green Effort Teams" have been appointed by the Committee to steer and facilitate implementation of environmental programmes. They have assisted in the dissemination of information, promotion of green initiatives, encouragement of suggestions and obtaining feedback from staff and trainees.
Officers at PTS have saved significant quantities of paper, energy, water and human resources through their efforts and enthusiasm. Their examples have contributed to significant changes in the levels of existing environmental awareness in the Force.
The efforts of the "Green Effort Teams" have resulted in significant fiscal savings through deliberate and focused strategies. These include reductions in swimming-pool heating costs by 100 per cent, electricity usage by 30 per cent, and paper consumption by 50 per cent.
Energy and resource savings have been achieved mainly through the proactive enforcement and constant educational inputs from all PTS staff and trainees. Through the successful implementation of those environmental initiatives, PTS has set clear environmental standards, not only leading by example, but also educating with perception.
The future with respect to environmental management looks positive and the momentum generated by the Force's involvement in the Eco-Business Awards Scheme is being further developed by other Formations. As one of the largest government departments, the Force is committed to leading the way in Green Management.
Mr Buxton receiving the Green Office Award from Dr Sarah Liao