Sustainability-related Policies and Guidelines

Over years, from policy-setting to daily operations, from architectural design to implementation, from research projects to academic programmes, PolyU embeds sustainability principles across all areas and actively promotes a green culture.

Following are sustainability-related policies and guidelines adopted by the University:

Campus Sustainability Policies

Sustainability Policy

PolyU pledges to cherish sustainability values, abide by sustainability practices, advance knowledge of sustainability and achieve excellence in sustainability.

Energy and Greenhouse Gas Policy

PolyU is committed to responsible energy management and carbon emission reduction. It intends to meet this commitment through energy-efficient design and practices in all its development initiatives and in respect of its premises, plant and equipment, and in respect of such other of its activities as may entail environmental considerations.

Energy and Greenhouse Gas Policy

Green Procurement Policy

PolyU is committed to green procurement so that goods and services are acquired with minimal or no adverse impacts on the environment.

Sustainable Infrastructure Policy

PolyU is committed to enhancing the environmental quality of its campus and to adopting environmentally-responsible methods in the future development of the campus.

Waste Management Policy

PolyU upholds the principles of waste management and is committed to the proper handling and disposal of all wastes generated on campus and to minimizing the disposal of waste to landfill.

Water Conservation Policy

PolyU recognizes that water resources are scarce and is committed to pursuing water conservation and implementing appropriate measures to ensure environmentally-friendly campus developments, operations and activities.

Water Conservation Policy

Paper Reduction Policy

PolyU is committed to fostering a sustainable campus and prudent use of resources including paper.

Environmental Policy

PolyU pledges to provide a good environment for her staff and students, and to ensure that her activities are complying with relevant legal requirements and conducted in an environmentally responsible manner.

Read the policy

Guidelines

Guideline for Green Promotion and Campus Activities

PolyU Multifunction Printer Standard Guidelines

Guidelines for Green Information Day

Prepared by the Hong Kong Sustainable Campus Consortium (PolyU is one of the founding members)

Green Event Guidebook

Prepared by the Environmental Protection Department (PolyU joined the Green Event Pledge in Sep 2018)

Sustainability-conscious Food Consumption

PolyU upholds the principle of sustainable development, and encourages the sharing of best sustainable practices by communicating within and beyond the University community. The University, therefore, pledges to adopt a sustainability-conscious food consumption practice for official entertainment functions which fully demonstrates our commitment to the promotion of green living and sustainability.

Read the position

Sustainability-conscious Food Consumption

Phasing out bottled water on campus

Since September 2017, PolyU has discontinued the sale of bottled water (non-sparkling, unflavoured drinking water in any single-serving plastic bottle of less than 1 litre) in vending machines, convenience store and catering outlets on Main Campus and hostels. Single-serving bottled water (below 1 litre) should not be offered in University activities and events. The Finance Office (FO) will no longer process any reimbursement claims on Purchase Orders or expenses on related purchases as documented in FO’s Expense Payment Procedures (Updated Jun 2018).

No straw arrangement on campus catering outlets

No single-use plastic cutlery arrangement on campus catering outlets

PolyU has announced its NO STRAW Every Day arrangement on catering outlets on campus and Student Halls of Residence, effective from 15 October 2018 where Campus catering outlets would no longer offer single-use plastic straws together with their drinks in their business hours as a general rule. This arrangement casts light on reducing the reliance on all kinds of plastic disposables with straws being one example. It is a crucial step of the University’s long-term strategy to build a collective strength across the campus in fighting plastic pollution as a whole. In April 2024, all Campus catering outlets commenced to follow the Regulation of Disposable Plastic Tableware, which prohibits the distribution of other single-use cutlery such as forks, spoons and plates in addition to straws for both dine-in and takeaways.

Greener event practices and requirements on restricting the use of disposables at University events

PolyU is committed to motivating the University community to implement environmentally friendly practices in events. Since April 2019, the submission of the Green Event Checklist during venue reservation via the Venue Booking System operated by Campus Facilities and Sustainability Office (CFSO) for Covered Wings, Exhibition & Counter, and Other Venues (Chan Sui Kau and Chan Lam Moon Chun Square and Area outside CCST) was made compulsory. The University also announced in May 2019 new requirements on restricting the use of disposable food and beverage containers at University events. These requirements have been effective since Sep 2019, that:

one-time disposable food and beverage containers and cutleries are NOT ALLOWED for ALL on-campus events and activities organized by Faculties/Departments/Offices which are intended for less or equal to 200 expected participants;
for events and activities with over 200 expected participants, University event organizers should provide reusable food and beverage containers and cutleries to meet the use of around 50% of the attendees;

Faculties/Departments/Offices should take the lead and remind external partners or venue hirers to follow and implement similar measures in their catering options, and set a good example for others.