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RTHK, as Hong Kong's Public Broadcaster, aims to inform, educate and entertain the general public and specific target audiences through a balanced mix of high quality programming. This very much includes promoting environmental awareness.

Environmental Goal

RTHK is not only committed to conducting its domestic departmental activities in accordance with the best environmental practices and instilling high environmental values in all employees but equally importantly contributing to the public's awareness of environmental issues by:

reminding the community that the environment is everybody's business. RTHK works as a medium for all members of the community to air their views. This public participation nurtures public awareness;
stimulating and focusing debate on environmental issues and policies. RTHK attempts to bring Government and NGOs together in a public forum where experts can share information and experience; and
providing opportunities for Government to explain current policies on sustainable development through regular programmes on environmental issues aimed at all age groups and, broadcasting, on a regular basis, relevant announcements of public interest on environmental protection.

Environmental Policy

In pursuance of its environmental commitments, RTHK will continue to:

contribute to the awareness of the public regarding environmental protection and conservation of natural resources;
comply with, and where appropriate exceed, legal regulations and voluntary standards in all its operations;
practise the principle of Reduce, Reuse and Recycle in the consumption of material;
foster and encourage personal responsibility among all RTHK staff in caring for the environment; and
seek continual improvement of its environmental performance on all fronts.

Environmental Highlights

RTHK's major efforts in promoting and improving environmental performance consisted of the following two categories:

Programmes production

producing two weekly one-hour radio programmes, namely “Green Age” (Radio 5, throughout the year) and “Green Pals”(Radio 1, from October to December 2006), on various green topics, such as green living, environmental protection, sustainable development, etc;
producing special projects such as Radio 1’s ‘Green Pal- Action Blue Sky Special, ‘Hong Kong Tree Planting Day’ and Radio 2’s ‘Trip to Produce Green Fields Campaign’;
producing the 5-episode Water Voices television series to call for concern on issues such as water pollution, water shortage and water supply with several stories relating to ‘water’;
producing the 6-episode Wastewise City television series to fully explore waste disposal solutions in the region. Producers have visited South Korea, Japan and Taiwan to cover topics relating to effective and environmentally-friendly methods of dumping, namely waste disposal from consumers’ point-of-view, waste collection, recycling, levying and the construction of modernised incinerator;
Hong Kong Geographic, an eight-episode documentary, was a television series focusing on expert studies on the uniqueness of local natural landscapes. It went with the researchers to the wild places to explore the stunning views of Hong Kong’s countryside; and
co-organising with NGO’s on outreach projects such as tree-planting day and local eco-tours.

In-house green practices

Minimising Paper Consumption
- enhancement of communication by email. Electronic copies of information papers were distributed on the Local Area Network instead of distributing hardcopies;
- promoting double-sided photocopying to reduce consumption of photocopying paper;
- promoting use of the blank side of used paper and reuse of envelopes.
Recycle
- placing recycle boxes at eye-catching locations to collect waste paper, plastic bottles and cans for recycling. In 2006, we have sent 28,161 kg of waste paper for recycling;
- collecting used printer cartridges for recycling.
Green Procurement
- procuring photocopiers with double-sided photocopying and automatic energy saving functions;
- procuring plain paper fax machines instead of thermal paper ones;
- procuring environmental friendly products, such as refillable ball pens, recyclable printer toner cartridges, etc.
Energy Saving
- reducing lighting to minimum required for illumination;
- adjusting the air-conditioning system to keep the room temperatures to a reasonably acceptable level at 24oC.
Green Message Stands and Stickers
- posted energy-saving stickers at lighting switches and electricity devices to remind staff to switch off lightings when they leave office and electricity devices when they are not in use;
Enhancement of intranet
- uploading useful information for internal circulation (e.g. departmental telephone directory, circulars, important notices etc.) to the intranet for viewing by staff;
- uploading general forms (e.g. application for outside work, acceptance of advantages etc.) to the intranet instead of keeping these paper forms as stocks;
Promoting Staff’s Environmental Awareness
- encouraging staff to attend environmental awareness seminar/ workshop organized by Environmental Protection Department, etc.

Next Steps in Environmental Performance

All the green measures taken in 2005 are considered effective. RTHK aims to further achieve its environmental objectives by means of:

producing programmes in a variety of formats on environmental issues;
continuing its involvement in promoting environmental issues in the community;
promoting a green purchasing policy in support of its production efforts; and
ensuring that the working environment for its staff remains safe and healthy.

Information and Suggestions

If you have any information and suggestion in connection with this Environmental Report, you are welcome to contact RTHK's Green Manager at telephone number 2339 6330 or fax to 2338 0279 or e-mail to general@rthk.org.hk.