Shui On also adopts sound environmental management measures in our construction, construction materials, property development and property management businesses in Hong Kong and the Chinese Mainland. Through close monitoring and continuous improvement, Shui On strives to conserve resources, reduce waste and pollution and help create a pleasant environment for the society.

As a key player in Hong Kong’s construction industry, Shui On’s construction division continuously develops and introduces innovative techniques and measures in water quality control, air pollution control, environmental monitoring and other environmental areas. Many of these techniques have subsequently been widely adopted by our peers and become the industry standard.

Below are some of the environmental measures adopted in Shui On’s construction sites:

Water pollution control Shui On’s wastewater treatment system adopts a flow regulation, settling, sedimentation and final filtration process to treat construction wastewater to an acceptable level before reuse or discharge. Grease traps are used to separate oil/grease from wastewater from canteens. The treated water will then go through the wastewater treatment system for further filtration. This system not only fulfills legal requirements for wastewater treatment, but also allows the treated water to be reused for dust suppression.

Air quality control

To comply with environmental regulations and to ensure workers’ health while carrying out polishing work, our staff have brought their creativity into full play and designed a new device. Simple materials, such as a vacuum cleaner, plastic tube, plastic lid, sponge and spray water bottle, are used to make a dust extraction device that helps reduce dust emission when external walls are being polished. As the dust extraction device can be used on both smooth and irregular surfaces, and is economical and effective in reducing air pollution, it has been accepted by the Environment Protection Department.

Environmental monitoring DustTrak, a dust monitoring equipment, is maintained at the site entrance to measure the level of respirable suspended particulates (RSP) in order to monitor the dust emission level in the neighborhood. A Sound Level Meter is utilized on the site boundary to monitor noise emission. Energy consumption is also recorded in order to identify key areas for energy conservation.

SOCAM.com

SOCAM.com, launched in 2000, moves the tendering and project management procedures onto a digital platform. The website not only enhances overall efficiency but also greatly reduces paper consumption. Its Electronic Health, Safety and Environment module makes it easier for management and staff to closely monitor and handle environmental issues. Its Electronic Project Management System transforms the conventional paper-based processes of the construction industry into a web-based environment.

Cement

Shui On is aggressively developing its cement business in the Mainland’s central and western provinces through acquiring numerous cement plants in Chongqing and Guizhou and introducing advanced production techniques and professional management to these plants. This move coincides with the Central Government’s policy to improve the environment through replacing smaller, low quality, low efficiency and environmentally unfriendly cement plants.

Shui On’s cement operations adopt sound environmental management measures and actively introduce new techniques to develop environmentally friendly cement products. Our joint venture Chongqing TH Cement is the first producer of the environmentally friendly fly-ash cement in the Chinese Mainland. In 1998, Chongqing TH Cement successfully made use of fly ash (an industrial waste) to produce high quality, high strength cement, which has won wide acclaim from industry experts of the Chongqing Municipal Construction Committee and is acknowledged by customers as a quality green product.

Fly ash is a harmful by-product from the Chongqing Power Station. If disposed without proper treatment, the waste will cause great harm to the natural environment. With Shui On’s “innovation for excellence” spirit, Chongqing TH Cement has converted the industrial waste into a useful material and now consumes more than 100,000 tonnes of fly ash each year. This innovation not only helps the Chongqing Power Station solves its fly ash treatment problem, but also protects the environment through better use of resources and contributes to local economic development.

Shui On’s property development projects give high priority to environmental protection and environmental planning.

Rui Hong Xin Cheng

Rui Hong Xin Cheng (RHXC), Shui On’s housing development project in Shanghai’s Hongkou District, occupies a site area of 400 thousand square metres where close to 100 high-rise residential buildings will be built in phases. To provide residents with a relaxing environment in the fast-moving city, Shui On has put a strong green element into the overall planning of the project. Phase I of the development, for example, features a green area measuring more than 10,000 square metres among its well-planned facilities, allowing residents to enjoy fresh air all the time.

RHXC also adopts environmentally friendly design and building techniques. The double glazed window, for instance, helps to reduce heat loss, especially in winter when the prevailing wind from the northwest is particularly chilly. This design also provides better sound insulation and thus helps reduce noise.

Instead of the hollow clay brick widely used in the construction industry in the Chinese Mainland, RHXC uses the new lightweight block. The main reason is that the production of hollow clay bricks causes tremendous damage to the farmland and leads to land, air and water pollution. The new lightweight block is not only environmentally friendly but also provides better heat and sound insulation. Its light weight also lessens the burden on the building structure.

To improve quality and efficiency while reducing paper usage, Shui On has brought its innovative IT applications for construction to Shanghai. The Building Inspection System (BIS), an electronic inspection system jointly developed by SOCAM.com, RHXC and our MIS department, is introduced to RHXC. The system makes use of PDA technology to digitize a large quantity of previously paper-based inspection checklists. It not only helps to save time and paper, but also enhances efficiency of the inspection process.

Recently, Phase I of RHXC has won several environmental management awards, including “outstanding sanitation performance”, “outstanding waste management” and “outstanding living environment” awards.

Taipingqiao Redevelopment Project

As Shanghai undergoes rapid economic development, government and residents alike have higher expectations of environmental conditions. Shui On has built a 40,000-square-metre man-made lake and landscaped area at the centre of its large-scale Taipingqiao Redevelopment Project in downtown Shanghai to provide city dwellers with a green oasis. The man-made lake and landscaped area are jointly developed by the Shanghai Municipal Government, Luwan District Government and Shui On.

Shanghai Xintiandi Plaza

Shanghai Xintiandi Plaza, the first phase of the Taipingqiao Redevelopment Project, imaginatively brings together traditional and contemporary architecture to create a unique style. Shui On is equally resourceful in dealing with environmental management issues. For example, to control the quality of wastewater to meet government requirements, wastewater goes through the Class II sewage treatment chamber located at the basement of each building before being discharged to the City Council Sewage System. Oily wastewater from restaurants first goes through a grease intercept chamber before being treated by this system.

Xintiandi is renowned for its wide variety of entertainment options. While some tenants regularly organize parties and shows, others offer a quiet and cozy atmosphere. Shui On has therefore installed special sound insulation to control the noise level from each outlet to 55 decibels or below. To control air quality, ventilators are located on the roof as stipulated by the government. In addition, air filtration devices are installed in ventilators that release air with strong smell.

Shui On Properties Management Limited (SOPM) endeavors to cultivate a strong environmental protection mentality among its staff, contractors as well as tenants and owners of properties under its management. Aside from implementing its Environmental Management System Manual and Company Environmental Procedures, SOPM also actively promotes an environmentally-friendly culture at the estates it manages, including Richland Gardens, Hong Sing Garden and Hong Nga Court.

SOPM has also introduced a series of environmental initiatives at its Head Office, such as creating an “environmental protection corner” on the notice board, putting up signs to remind staff to conserve water and energy, installing energy-saving electronic ballasts and making the Head Office a non-smoking office. SOPM’s Head Office was awarded Certificate of Merit for Green Office at the 2001 Hong Kong Eco-business Awards.

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