[Architecture & Urbanism, March 2001] With the progressive enhancement of global environmental awareness, there is an increasing demand for the supply and consumption of green products, and the green label schemes have been widely implemented worldwide. The Green Council with the ambition of enhancing environmental concern, co-organized with the Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) to assess and promote the Hong Kong Green Label Scheme (HKGLS). The assessment took the experience from foreign countries and is set up based on the characteristics of Hong Kong environment. Besides, a committee formed by professionals, government departments, environmental bodies and representatives from industrial and commercial sectors would give their comments and advice also. There are 8 categories under Green Label Scheme, including paper products, plastic/rubber products, cleaning products, stationery, other common consumable, computer products, electrical household appliance and packaging material etc. Only products satisfied the specific environmental criteria on the basis of objective assessments are allowed to display the Green Label. As a result, the HKGLS does help consumers to identify the products that truly cause less damage to the environment.
Furthermore, it can stimulate manufacturers to develop products and production processes that are better for the environment. For example, Germany introduced the world’s first national green label scheme, the “Blue Angel”, in 1977. And now, survey results indicated that 79% of German consumers recognize Blue Angel and generally perceive it as a reliable green label.
Over 4,000 products were labeled in Germany to date. Moreover, to arouse the public concern on Green Label Scheme, Green Council organized a “Green Label Design Competition” at the end of last year. The response is encouraging as they received over 6,000 designs, showing the environmental concerns from the teenagers.

Apart from HKGLS, Green Council will establish a Cyber Green Center on the web, providing technical information and guidelines of environmental as well as traditional information on materials, processes and components. Besides, they are having a research on “Green Building” with the professionals from Hong Kong Polytechnics University, University of Hong Kong, Tsing Hua University, Beijing University and universities in Australia and USA. Activities mentioned above need support and advice from the general public. People who would like to give any precious suggestion on building materials or other materials, please free feel to contact us.