News Update

環保署的「清潔生產技術支援試驗項目」於去年11月開展以來進展良好。項目的技術顧問香港生產力促進局已於2007年1月為十三間參與項目及位於廣東省內的港資工廠完成了初步的清潔生產評估。廠方普遍歡迎評估的結果，並積極考慮投入資源推行有關的清潔生產措施，反應令人鼓舞。
試驗項目將於短期內進入下一階段，為其中的數間工廠建議具體的清潔生產方案，從改善操作管理、節能、減少原材料消耗、改良工序等環節減少污染，供廠方執行。項目顧問會總結有關成功經驗，為有關行業製作清潔生產應用手冊，向業界推廣。
Since its launch in November 2006, EPD's Cleaner Production Technical Support Pilot Project has been progressing well. In January 2007, the project consultant, the Hong Kong Productivity Council, completed the preliminary cleaner production assessments for 13 participating Hong Kong-owned factories in Guangdong. The factories generally welcome the assessment results and are now actively considering devoting resources to cleaner production. The feedback is encouraging.
In the next phase, the project will proceed to recommend specific cleaner production plans for a few short-listed factories. Specific measures to reduce pollution, covering enhancement of operation management, efficient use of energy and materials and process improvements, will be recommended for implementation by these factories. The project consultant will then consolidate the successful experience gained in this project into guidebooks for promotion amongst the relevant industries.

香港環保節2006-07開展儀式已於2007年1月27日在紅磡海逸豪園威尼斯廣場舉行。為響應「避免及減少製造廢物」的主題，是次儀式同時為2007年1月27及28日舉行的「全港舊電腦及電器回收日」揭幕。詳情可參閱環境保護運動委員會網頁(http://www.ecc.org.hk)
The Launching Ceremony of the Hong Kong Environmental Protection Festival 2006-07 was held on 27 January 2007 at Venetian-style Plaza of Laguna Verde. To echo the theme of "Avoid and Reduce Waste", the Launching Ceremony also kick-started the WEEE Recycling Days which were held on 27 and 28 January 2007. Please visit the ECC website for details (http://www.ecc.org.hk).

With the support of the Guangdong authorities, an adequate and continuous supply of water to Hong Kong is secured. We are also aware that the remarkable economic growth in the Pearl River Delta region in the past 25 years has exerted tremendous pressure on the water supply there, which covers an area of about 40,000 sq km with a population of over 30 million. We have therefore embarked upon a comprehensive review on Total Water Management.

海洋公園保育基金所作出的努力。基金不單進行科學研究以保育本地及其他亞洲地區的野生動物，更肩負生態教育的重任，帶領我們的新一代去親身接觸和認識大自然，宣揚生態保育的訊息。

環境諮詢委員會廢物管理小組成員到訪黃大仙宏景花園，了解都市固體廢物收費試驗計劃的運作情況。環諮會成員亦得悉在試驗期的第三個月，環保署會提供較大的專用垃圾袋（二十公升）給沒有參與試驗使用「廚餘袋」的屋苑居民，而使用「廚餘袋」的居民則獲派發十五公升的專用垃圾袋。
Members of the Advisory Council on the Environment (ACE) Waste Management Subcommittee visited the Grand View Garden in Wong Tai Sin to see how the trial scheme on Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) Charging had been working. The members were also informed that for the third month of the trial period, residents in those estates that do not try out the food waste bags are provided with larger designated bags (20-litre), while those residents already given food waste bags will have 15-litre designated bags.

就傳媒查詢，環境保護署發言人重申，根據環境影響評估條例，除了７（３）條所指定的有限情況外，並無其他條款賦予環境保護署署長權力延展公眾查閱期。
In response to media enquiries, a spokesman for the Environmental Protection Department reiterated that under the Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance, there is no such provision for the Director of Environmental Protection to extend the period of public inspection, other than in the limited circumstances under section 7(3) of the ordinance.

The Chief Executive, Mr. Donald Tsang, has clearly reaffirmed our commitment in his Policy Address of 2006 that "Hong Kong deserves and can afford a better living environment", and "[there] exists a strong community consensus on the pressing need to take decisive measures to improve air quality".

環保署將於2007年2月推廣「歲晚回收大行動」，鼓勵市民在歲晚期間使用屋苑內的回收設施參與家居廢物回收，加強屋苑內的回收活動。
The EPD is launching the Lunar Year End Recycling Campaign in Feb 2007. Residents are encouraged to make use of the waste separation facilities in their estates to step up recovery of reusable and recyclable materials.