Club earns double silver in Hong Kong Green Awards 2010

10/12/2010

The Hong Kong Jockey Club has earned Silver Awards in both the Green Office Management and Green Purchaswi$e categories of the Hong Kong Green Awards 2010, announced today (10 December) by organisers the Green Council.  These twin accolades recognise the Club's unsparing efforts in implementing energy reduction measures at its offices and in procuring eco-friendly materials and products.

Expressing her delight with the results, Director of Human Resources and Sustainability Mimi Cunningham said the Club had designated policies and set concrete performance objectives to ensure it could conduct its businesses in an environmentally responsible manner, and had also commissioned independent audits.

“As a not-for-profit organisation that has served Hong Kong for 125 years, the Club sees the promotion of green living and sustainability as a logical extension of its long-standing commitment to improving the livelihood of generations to come,” she explained.

On the green office management front, the Club's wide range of energy-saving measures include the installation of water-cooled chillers in the headquarters building and various new green facilities in other offices.  They are targeted at saving the Club 100,000 kWh of energy usage per annum, which translates to millions of dollars in cost reductions, and will help it achieve its goal of reducing CO₂ emissions by 84 tonnes annually by 2012.

As regards waste reduction and recycling, another critical area, Mrs Cunningham cited several notable examples of how sustainable disciplines could be integrated into every facet of the Club's operations, such as the use of biodegradable food containers at racecourse dining outlets, a switch to thinner recyclable paper with no chemical coating for betting tickets, and a “Rubbish Bin Free” programme that encourages Club staff to recycle discarded materials.

“We are committed to procuring eco-friendly materials and products from credible suppliers, ranging from the popular recycled copy paper and biodegradable plastic bags, to innovations such as electric vehicles and solar-powered golf carts,” she noted, emphasising that a green purchasing policy was an integral part of the Club's sustainability drive.

The Club has also endeavoured to recycle waste materials through its partnerships with various social enterprises, which at the same time serves to support these organisations.  For example it has commissioned Caritas Computer Workshop to dismantle and recycle 3,800 old betting terminals, and Yan Oi Tong to recycle plastic bottles collected by the Club.  Not only has this significantly reduced the negative impact of these materials on the environment, it has also helped create employment for the underprivileged.

Mrs Cunningham pledged that the Club would continue building on these initiatives to uphold its social responsibility to the community and promote environmental sustainability.  “While the Club is committed to achieving and sustaining this goal, we also call on our community partners, every corporation in the city, and every Hong Kong citizen to chip in,” she urged.  “By starting the ball rolling, we at the Jockey Club want to encourage other organisations and individuals to lend a hand to this cause, knowing that whatever they do counts – however big or small.” 

The Hong Kong Jockey Club

Founded in 1884, The Hong Kong Jockey Club has become one of Hong Kong's best known and respected organisations, providing the public with world-class sporting entertainment as well as being the city's major non-Government community benefactor, now donating more than HK$1 billion a year to charitable and community projects.  It has been a part of Hong Kong through good times and bad, sharing the city's growth and development with its people, and is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for future generations.