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While the invitation to join ‘GO!’ was mainly issued to the University’s university management offices, college offices and administrative and service units in Phase 1, offices of academic and research units were also welcome to join in advance. The School of Life Sciences (SLS) is one of the teaching and research units that joined the ‘GO!’ initiative as a pioneer in 2012. Wilson Lau, the ‘GO!’ contact person of SLS, said, ‘A major challenge for large and decentralized offices like SLS is that it is rather difficult to engage all individuals. In this respect, our internal mass mail system is effective for disseminating green practices to our staff and post-graduate students. Support from our senior management is a key factor in SLS’s progress: with their support, we now purchase green products like 100% recycled paper for in-house printing, recycled paper toilet paper and totally degradable garbage bags. Having a bulk tender price for some of these products is a big help. Some ‘GO!’ action items have already become regular office routine in the general office.’
While recycled paper is not commonly available in stationery shops, CUHK units are able to purchase recycled paper at bulk tender prices comparable to or lower than the retail prices of paper made with virgin pulp, thanks to the Joint-University tender arrangement. For a list of suppliers offering this discount, please check the Business Office’s Centralized Tenders page.
As a research-intensive office, SLS does face unique challenges: for example, some laboratory instruments require lower temperature to operate and thus the AC temperature of some rooms cannot be set to 24°C - 26 °C. However, The School also explored technological solutions: in 2012, SLS installed motion sensors in more than 10 centralized equipment rooms and a printer room, ensuring that lights are turned off when the rooms are unoccupied. Mr. Lau said labs and pantries can consider installing motion sensors to cut energy use. Later this year, the SLS’s Energy Wardens will work together with EMO colleagues to identify further opportunities for energy conservation in the school office.
Professor Chu Lee-man of SLS said ‘GO!’ is an effective tool for engaging more people in making CUHK greener. ‘The targets of “GO!” are quite comprehensive, easy-to-fulfill and encourage development of green habits in the long run. As a university, we should take the lead in sustainability initiatives and serve as a role model for the community by making a long-term commitment. People are now more aware about sustainability than before, it is time to put concepts into action.’
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