Since paper is our major consumption of resources, continuous efforts have been made to reduce consumption of photocopying paper through wider use of electronic communication. The department has reduced paper consumption to 70,004 reams in 2011. 95% of the consumption is on recycled papers.

All offices have been equipped with the Internet e-mail facility. It has become a standard practice to circulate reference documents by email instead of issuing hardcopies.

Our offices have been reminded to reduce printed publications and they are encouraged to upload publications onto the internet website of the department for public access.

Documents for internal circulation have been uploaded onto the departmental intranet portal for viewing by staff. Staff are advised to collect and submit returns by electronic format through intranet portal.

Our offices have adopted the practice of using soft copies for drafting documents. 

Our offices have switched to printing on both sides of paper. Newly procured photocopiers are equipped with the double-sided printing feature.

Phase out thermal fax

Thermal fax machines have been phased out to reduce the need to make a second copy of fax for filing. All offices are provided with plain paper fax machines for faxing documents.

Minimize the use of envelope

Our offices have stopped using envelopes for unclassified documents.

Reduce consumables

Staff are encouraged to use their own cups instead of disposable paper cups. Refillable ball pens and clutch pencils are widely used in our offices to minimize waste.

The department has encouraged staff to use electronic greeting cards instead of sending out paper cards during festive seasons. 

Guidelines on how to save electricity through economic use of lighting, air-conditioning, photocopiers and computer equipment have been issued to all offices.

Our offices have set the room temperature at 25.5˚C in order to reduce energy consumption. It is our practice to carry out routine checks to ensure computers and office equipment have been switched off after office hours.

Electricity consumption level is being closely monitored at all times.

Time taps have been installed in some of our offices in order to reduce water usage.

It is a standard practice in our offices to reuse envelopes and file jackets that are in good condition.

Single-sided papers are used for drafts and printing internal documents.

Set up green trays in photocopiers and LAN printers

Green trays are set up in photocopiers and LAN printers to facilitate printing with papers used on one side.

Waste papers are collected for recycling as a regular practice.

It is a standard practice to return used toners of laser printers to suppliers for recycling.

Recycle bins are provided in offices for collecting waste papers, cans, bottles and unwanted CDs. 

Periodic surveys are carried out to gauge the extent of adoption of green measures by individual offices and to monitor their improvement over time.

Slogans are used in electronic communication to promote conservation of the environment and to achieve reduction in the use of paper.

Departmental guidelines 

Guidelines on green office practices are in place for reference by all offices.

It is a mandatory requirement for our cleansing contractors to use biodegradable garbage bags. The use of correction fluid and batteries with mercury which may cause hazards to environment are discouraged in our offices.