15 Nov 04 - Press Release
Business Environment Council Honours Ten Winners of the Hong Kong Awards for Industry in Environmental Performance
The Hong Kong & China Gas Wins the Grand Award

The Business Environment Council (BEC) today presented the 2004 Hong Kong Awards for Industry in Environmental Performance at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre to recognize ten Hong Kong based manufacturers that exemplify outstanding environmental achievements.

Mr Andrew Long, both the Chairman of BEC and the judging panel of the Awards said, nvironmental excellence in business is a growing imperative for success. Local and worldwide trends show increasing demand for goods and services that observe the principles of sustainability: the impact on the economy, society and ecology. Environmental sustainability is becoming key to reassuring customers, clients and stakeholders. I congratulate all the winners for their outstanding environmental achievements and demonstrating so clearly that the benefits to business of operating in a responsible and proactive manner.

Into its fourteenth year, the Awards has become the foremost means for local manufacturing and related enterprises to gain recognition for their achievements. Winners are selected by an independent panel of industry and environmental experts. Issues to be assessed included environmental management system, cleaner production processes, pollution prevention measures, waste minimization programmes and innovative technologies. Over the past 13 years, more than 80 local corporations have been recognized. This year sees a 40% increase in the number of applicants which consist with a growing acceptance by local businesses that the benefits of improved environmental management outweigh the costs of introducing environmental management practices.

Applicants in 2004 include companies large and small from a range of manufacturing related industries, including consumer goods, printing, metal products, electrical and electronics and construction to name but a few. Mr Long pointed out that more winning corporations executed innovative waste management programmes, inputted the green elements in their product designs and even carried out environmental supply chain management programmes for suppliers and contractors with provision of incentives. he Grand Award winner, The Hong Kong & China Gas has demonstrated excellent environmental measures by introducing 12 functional environmental sub-committees company wide, utilizing landfill gas for commercial use and launching the Product Responsibility Scheme programme in retired gas appliances recycling, the most comprehensive project of its kind in Hong Kong. Since October 2003, around 390 tonnes retired gas appliances were recycled.

Hip Hing Builders, Ka Shui Manufactory and Neonlite Electronic & Lighting (HK) received the Environment Performance Awards. Caltex Oil Hong Kong, Hong Kong Aircraft Engineering, Hong Kong Note Printing, Paul Y ?ITC General Contractors, SAE Magnetics (HK) and Swissebauches were granted a Certificate of Merit. They are all excellent examples striving for the best in resource efficiency, pollution prevention and waste minimization through better environmental planning and practices.

Mr Kevin Edmunds, Deputy Director of BEC and member of the judging panel added that more winners concern the cross-border air pollution controls. In order to improve the air quality, corporations reduce the use of heavy metal containing solder and modify the manufacturing process to reduce volatile organic compounds (VOC). Mainland industries use high quality fuel in their facilities and capture the carbon dioxide from production to produce dry ice. Besides, more corporations are implementing programmes to utilize the landfill gas to produce energy and reduce the green house gas emission from landfill.

He also believed that by participating the Hong Kong Awards for Industry in Environmental Performance, entrants not only receive recognition as environmental leaders within the industry, but also obtain advice from judges and BEC assessors on operational efficiency and cost reduction by adopting sound environment practices. Local businesses have increasingly come to be aware that the benefits of improved environmental management outweigh the cost of introducing environmental practices. This is important and beneficial to the long term sustainable development of Hong Kong.

About Business Environment Council ( www.bec.org.hk )

The Business Environment Council is a leading partner for sustainable development for business and industry in Hong Kong. Since 1989, it has engaged its members and the wider business community to encourage the uptake of environmentally and socially responsible practices through working groups, skills development, publications, benchmarking and advisory services.

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Estrid Wai, Communications and Marketing Manager, T. 2784 3922