Complaints about cooking fumes, odours and smoke from restaurants increased significantly in the late 1990s, leading the EPD to form a partnership programme with the trade to address the problems.
Restaurant Partnership Programme
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Implemented by the EPD since the end of 2000, the "Helping the Restaurant Trade Environmental Programme" emphasises voluntary compliance and pollution prevention. It aims to improve restaurants' environmental performance and working conditions, reduce costs and raise the trade's image.
The programme involves technical support and development, environmental education, collaboration with related stakeholders and trade specific projects.
The EPD held liaison meetings with the food and restaurant trade to improve communication and partnership. The related stakeholders include the Hong Kong Federation of Restaurants and Related Trades, the Association of Restaurant Managers, the Association of Hong Kong Catering Services Management, the Hong Kong Food Council, the Business Environment Council and the Hong Kong Productivity Council.
Tying these strands together, the EPD with the support from the trade organized various activities including exhibitions, conferences, talks, workshops, seminars, and technical visits. For snapshot of the major events, please double click the icon below :
The EPD has published many promotional posters and advisory leaflets for wide distribution. Three comprehensive guidebooks, namely "Environmental Guidebook for the Restaurant Trade", "Green Restaurant - Environmental Legislation Requirements for the Restaurant Trade" and "Good Practices for Environmental Chef " have been published and distributed to major stakeholders, restaurant trade associations, schools and etc. A video has also been produced and released. Educational CD-ROM and environmental demonstration models have been made.
The EPD has launched this "Green Restaurant Website" which contains relevant information on the programme and comprehensive details of reference materials and environmental requirements related to the restaurant and related trade.
To help the trade further in preventing and solving environmental pollution problems, the EPD has compiled the "List of Environmental Pollution Control Equipment Suppliers/Contractors" for their reference.
The EPD is also working with other Government departments to improve co-ordination. The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department is one of the departments the EPD is working with, to streamline the licensing procedures.
