Richard Lee, Vogue Laundry Services Ltd
Vogue Laundry Services sets out to reduce water waste by continually upgrading their machinery. They use biodegradable detergents recommended by the EU, which minimises energy consumption and pollution and maximises efficiency. We focus on the effective use of water, energy efficiency and pollution.
Swire Group set up the environmental committee addressing this issue over ten years ago. They constantly review the project and upgrade their machinery.
What Swire have invested they get back because of the efficiency of the project.
The project focused on how to save resources using technology, by obtaining the most efficient equipment and exchanging ideas with foreign laundry companies.
Swire Group shares expertise with task forces dealing with specific issues like water and energy saving, chemicals and machinery supplies.
Their business was affected by the economy (for example during times of SARS, 9-11, the 1997 economic meltdown) because they rely on tourism, airlines and hotels for business. Their set up was designed for huge volume.
Progress
Locally in Hong Kong: There is less pollution; they have pre-treatment plants that monitor the quality of wastewater and reduce the chemicals in wastewater. They share their techniques with others.
Nationally in China: People from China can learn from them.
Internationally: They also exchange ideas with people from the US, EU, Singapore and Japan in trade shows in Hong Kong.
The project helps to make people realise that they can be environmentally friendly and profitable at the same time. Vogue Laundry is a role model for the industry.
In the short-term, the operation has a positive impact on the environment.
Long-term they are following the environmental approach within the context of the whole Swire Group.
Swire Group is part of the safety committee with the WHO that promotes safety, health and environmental issues. They have fanfares and booths to raise awareness and carry out charity work.
