Effective Use of Resources in Schools

• "The Hong Kong Green School Award"

     http://school.ecc.org.hk/english/highlights/highlights_1.html 

• Education Bureau Circular Memorandum No. 168/2019 on Participation of Schools in the Feed-in Tariff (FiT) Scheme

• "Solar Harvest - Solar Energy Support Scheme for Schools and Welfare Non-Governmental Organisations" by Electrical and Mechanical Services Department

• Use blank side of used paper for drafting

• Print on both sides of paper

• Use recycled paper

• Minimize photocopies

• Reuse envelopes or use transit envelopes

• Do not use envelopes for unclassified documents

• Communicate within and outside school by e-mail (including exchange of information, issue of invitation letters)

• Use the format of electronic files to keep and release school information

• Urge staff to use their own cups instead of paper cups

• Use plain paper fax machines

• Check the settings before photocopying or printing

• Use photocopiers and printers equipped with double-sided printing function

• Avoid using fax leader pages

• Use old letter heads to print incoming fax messages

• Install "green tray" in LAN laser printers, photocopiers, fax machines and classrooms so as to use blank side of used paper

• Use old sets of documents for re-circulation

• Use blank side of used paper to make note pads

• Encourage students to keep their old exercise books for paper recycling

• Use T5 fluorescent tubes, light emitting diode (LED) lamps or compact fluorescent lamps (CFL) where practicable

• Use task light to minimize general lighting

• Procure CFL with Grade 1 energy label under the Mandatory Energy Efficiency Labelling Scheme (MEELS) upon replacement of old equipment

• Modify group lighting switches to individual switches

• Avoid excessive levels of illumination

• Consider replacing electromagnetic ballasts of fluorescent lamps to electronic ballasts

• Consider replacing conventional Exit signs to LED exit signs

• Keep all windows, light bulbs and light fittings clean to maintain optimum lighting performance

• Maintain only those lighting which are essential for safety, security or other specific purposes in areas that are infrequently occupied

• Maximize daylight usage

• Set and maintain an average room temperature between 24-26°C during the summer months from June to September. For the other months, set the A/C system to the most energy-efficient operational mode and adjust A/C temperature set-point to achieve comfort conditions, if necessary 

• Choose the model of air-conditioners with the cooling capacity most suitable for the size of the room and with Grade 1 energy label under the MEELS

• Clean the dust filters and fan coil units regularly; remove obstructions at air inlets and outlets of the A/C and ventilation

• Keep all the windows and doors closed when air-conditioner is running

• Turn on air-conditioner no sooner than one uses a room (i.e. no earlier than 15 minutes), and the last one out to turn it off upon leaving

• Use high fan mode instead of lowering the temperature of air-conditioner

• Lower and completely close Venetian blinds when direct sunlight is penetrating a window in the summer season, even if additional artificial lighting is required to compensate for the reduction in daylight  

• Use ventilation or fans instead of A/C as far as possible during cool seasons

• Extend the application of renewable energy to buildings undergoing major renovation and retrofitting wherever practicable

• Consider using more energy-efficient electrical appliances, e.g. refrigerator with Grade 1 energy label under the MEELS and procure energy efficient office equipment and peripherals with energy saving labels under the Voluntary Efficiency Labelling Scheme upon replacement of old equipment

• Teach students not to play with water in the toilet

• Avoid flushing the toilet unnecessarily

• Irrigate plants in the morning or in the evening to avoid rapid evaporation under the mid day’s scorching sun

• Arrange for prompt repair to any dripping tap or leaking water main found

• Appoint a designated staff member to follow up on the implementation of the energy saving measures in school premises

• Monitor the usage of electricity, water and paper

• Conduct routine checks to ensure unnecessary lighting/air-conditioners, communal facilities (e.g. photocopiers) are switched off outside school/office hours

• During recesses, lunch breaks and after classes are finished, switch off the lights and air-conditioners in the classrooms once nobody is in the rooms

• Remind the last one to leave the classroom/office to switch off all electrical appliances

• Switch on computers, printers and projectors only when needed

• Shorten operation hours of lifts

• Attach notices to all switches and exits to remind staff to turn off lights, air-conditioners and other appliances

• Remind staff and students on regular basis of the need to save resources

• Make appropriate green lunch arrangements and follow the principles of reducing waste, e.g. use reusable food containers and cutlery; facilitate students to bring and use reusable cutlery given to them; implement on-site food portioning; portion out food in a flexible manner; and encourage students to bring their own lunches

• Adopt a green purchasing policy

• Reduce number of greeting cards by sending electronic cards

• Re-use decorative materials

• Cut down on gift wrapping paper

• Reduce number of wreaths and flower-baskets

• Environmental Campaign Committee :

     http://www.ecc.org.hk/english/index.html 

• Environment and Ecology Bureau and Electrical and Mechanical Services Department :

     http://www.energysaving.gov.hk/en/home/index.html

• Environment and Ecology Bureau :

     https://www.climateready.gov.hk/

• Environmental Protection Department :

    https://www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/how_help/howhelp_maincontent.html

• Friends of the Earth (HK) :

     https://www.foe.org.hk/en