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Press
Releases - 2000
Partnership
formed to protect environment
The Environmental
Protection Department (EPD) and the Hong Kong Vehicle Repair
Merchants Association formed partnership today (December 8)
to promote environmental awareness among the trade practitioners
and assist them in improving their environmental performance.
Speaking
at the launching ceremony of the collaboration scheme between
the two parties, the Deputy Director of Environmental Protection,
Mr Mike Stokoe, said the partnership was the first of its
kind between the EPD and the trade.
Under
the partnership, the ambassadors of the Association would
visit the garages being complained against and assist the
concerned owners to comply with the requirements of the environmental
legislation. The Association would then give feedback to the
EPD.
The EPD
and the Association have also worked out advice on green practices
for reference by the trade practitioners.
The partnership
is an expansion of the EPD's compliance assistance programme.
"The
compliance assistance programme is showing signs of success,
with many companies such as construction firms and restaurants
seeking our assistance to educate their staff on compliance
with environmental laws," Mr Stokoe noted.
"To further
pursue our objective of assisting the trade in complying with
the legislative requirements, we have commissioned the Hong
Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) to organise two seminars
on environmental compliance in January and February 2001 and
10 workshops on proper paint spraying techniques starting
late February next year.
"In parallel,
we are working jointly with the HKPC and the trade to develop
a practicable technical fix to control air pollution arising
from the car spraying operation," Mr Stokoe said.
As for
new apprentices, the EPD is working with the Vocational Training
Council to raise their environmental awareness and enhance
their understanding of the environmental requirements for
the trade.
In addition,
the EPD will explore other more environmentally friendly methods
of paint spraying for the trade.
End/Friday,
December 8, 2000
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