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| Consumption of paper is almost unavoidable in most offices nowadays. To use paper wisely is an easy way to reduce paper consumption, and thus, saving trees. Mrs. Melania Lam, Purchasing Manager of the Finance Office (FO) and one of the Campus Green Ambassadors, reduces paper consumption always. Her green practices are worthy to learn from. |  Departmental visit with our campus green ambassador – Mrs. Melania Lam (Left) | |||
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| HKBU is the first university in Hong Kong to be awarded the Fellow Member of the Hong Kong Green Purchasing Charter, and FO works continuously on Green Purchasing. In the past years, the quality of recycled paper did not reach a satisfactory level for printing and photocopying purposes. FO did not give up but kept on sourcing different kinds of recycled paper for trials. With great efforts, FO finally located a 100% recycled paper* that suitable for printing and photocopying. As a pioneer to adopt the new invention, overall proportion of recycled paper used in FO has increased to 80% since 2009. “No negative feedback has been received regarding the use of 100% recycled paper. Colleagues in FO are very supportive in the change to using recycled paper.” said Melania Using 100% recycled paper reduces number of trees consumed. It may slow down global warming, as trees helps absorbing carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. |  100% recycled paper used for printing and photocopying.  | |||
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| FO colleagues are encouraged to reduce printing and adopt electronic media. For example, documents for internal meetings are sent by email to avoid wastage in printing excess copies. Colleagues may print their own hardcopies, or in a better way, to read in electronic format. FO is considering to develop e-tendering also, to further reduce paper consumption. |  Collection boxes for the used paper and envelopes | |||
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| FO places different paper recycling boxes in office. For example, recycling boxes near the printers collect one-side-used paper, for reusing as filing and drafting paper. Used envelopes are being collected in envelope recycling boxes and reuse in mailing. Meanwhile, most of the printers in FO are set to double-sided printing as default to save paper consumption. They are also planning to report the monthly paper usage and post it on the notice board, reminding staff to reduce paper consumption. |  Clear indication of different lighting zones in the office, colleagues can switch off the lights in their respective zones when they leave the office | |||
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| Inside Melania’s office, labels and signage are put up at every corner of the office, reminding colleagues to use energy wisely. Melania attended a briefing and training session organised by the Task Force on Sustainable Campus in March, 2010. She and her colleagues conducted two similar training sessions in FO on energy conservation afterwards, to emphasize the importance of energy saving. “Unity is strength”, Melania and her colleagues have set a good model in establishing FO as a green office. Let’s join hands to foster more green offices in HKBU!
*100% recycled paper is the paper produced from waste paper only, therefore, no trees are consumed for the production |  Signage reminding staff to switch off the light and air-conditioning when they leave  Green plants can beautify the office environment and purify the indoor air at the same time. | |||