Crystal Group has been awarded the “2010/11 Hang Seng-Pearl River Delta Environmental Awards – Gold Award” in the 4th Hang Seng-Pearl River Delta Environmental Awards (the Awards) organized jointly by the Federation of Hong Kong Industries (FHKI) and Hang Seng Bank.  This Gold Award is in high recognition of the Group’s efforts and commitment to grow sustainably while maintaining the environment healthy.

The Hang Seng-Pearl River Delta Environmental Awards 2010/11 Award Presentation Ceremony was held on Jan 10 at Hang Seng Bank Headquarters in Hong Kong. Mr Kenneth Lo, Chairman of Crystal Group, received the award from Mr Edward Yau – Secretary for the Environment, Mrs Dorothy Sit – Vice-Chairman and Chief Executive of Hang Seng Bank (China) Limited, and Dr Roy Chung – FHKI Chairman.

In the sharing session, Mr Lo and Mrs Mei Ng – former Director, Friends of the Earth (Hong Kong) gave their opinions on taking environmental initiatives.  Mr Lo emphasized the importance of support from the top management of a company as well as the participation of employees at all levels to lead the success in environmental actions; such actions is critical in sustaining a healthier planet, while maintaining the Group’s competitiveness for they drive savings to the business – a right thing to do for balance the 3P’s: Profit, Planet and People.  Mrs Mei Ng shared her witness to the environmental improvements driven by the Awards and eco-conscious enterprises like the Crystal Group.

The Awards was established by FHKI and Hang Seng Bank in 2007 under the manufacturing category of the “One Factory-One Year-One Environmental Project (1-1-1) Programme”, and this is the fourth year the Awards held which attracted the record-high participants of 182 manufacturing companies submitting total 651 environmental projects, from Hong Kong and the Pearl River Delta (PRD) region.

“At Crystal Group, I see caring for the planet vital that I communicate to my management team to further cascade down the message.  With successful experience from the environmental initiatives – improved environmental performance and cost saving, we are more confident to promote to our other factories and also our suppliers.  This will definitely benefit our planet more with more actions!” said Mr Lo.

With the vision to grow a sustainable business, Crystal Group has set its 5-Year Environmental Targets that include planting 1,000,000 trees in the areas with production operation, and published the annual sustainability report to show its dedication.  In its cut and sewn knit factory in Dongguan, there implemented a number of environmental improvement projects to build itself into a “Low Carbon Green Factory”.  The projects include adoption of green lighting, solar water heating system, introduction of on-line energy monitoring to reduce energy wastage, and a biomass-fuel boiler system.  In particular, the biomass-fuel boiler system is built in cooperation with Honeywell with an estimated cut in carbon emission by 5,000 tonnes and a cost saving of up to RMB 3,000,000 annually.

Crystal Group dedicates vast efforts in protecting the environment through sustainable operations and innovations and participates actively to promote environmental best practices.  The mentioned Dongguan facility, in the past year, was accredited 2010 Hong Kong Awards for Environmental Excellence – Sectoral Awards (Manufacturing) – Sliver Award, Platinum Label from the WWF Low Carbon Manufacturing Programme (LCMP) and the Cleaner Production of Enterprise of Guangdong Province.

Crystal Group’s other two factories – the denim jeans factory in Zhongshan and the sweater factory in Huizhou, have been awarded “Green Medalist” during the ceremony.  Central Textiles and Esquel Group from the textile and clothing sector won the Silver Award and Bronze Award respectively.

More details can be found from:
- Crystal Group’s Sustainability Report 2011 – link
- Story of the cut and sewn knit factory in Dongguan - link
- Hang Seng-Pearl River Delta Environmental Awards:
       - Official site
       - Awardees in 2010/11
       - Press release from FHKI

Photo Sharing:

Mr Edward Yau – Secretary for the Environment, Mrs Dorothy Sit – Vice-Chairman and Chief Executive of Hang Seng Bank and Dr Roy Chung – FHKI Chairman presented the award to Mr Kenneth Lo, Chairman of Crystal Group.

Mr Kenneth Lo and Mrs Mei Ng – former Director, Friends of the Earth (Hong Kong) in the sharing session.

The biomass-fuel boiler cuts emissions of sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and carbon dioxides, and the biomass fuel diverts agricultural waste from landfill to replace the use of fossil fuels. As an early adopter in the region, the Dongguan plant is highly recognized by the government and served as a role model to encourage more followers.

When old friends meet: Mr Edward Yau – Secretary for the Environment and Mr Kenneth Lo.

Mr Lo shares with the participating guest.

The “Golden” Team: Top management, Reps from Corporate Quality & Sustainability Department, Reps from Elegance and DCKG.

Sweater factory receiving the “Green Medalist” award.

A small “press conference” – reporters from Apple Daily, Ming Pao, Hong Kong Economic Times, Hong Kong Economic Journal, Oriental Daily, The Sun, Wen Wei Po, Ta Kung Pao and South China Morning Post.

Mr Lo speaks for the video press by Hang Seng Bank.