Hong Kong's home owners urged to go green in renovation projects as restoration demands expected to skyrocket
Benefits of eco-friendly materials include cost savings and better sustainability
Hong Kong home owners have been urged to use green building products in renovations, as the 6,000 buildings in the city aged 50 years or more are expected to create a huge demand for renovation works.
The Green Building Council, set up in 2009 to promote green practices, said that green products can enhance a building’s sustainability and also save home owners money in the long run.
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Lawrence Ng, member of a committee under the council, said that while green building products such as LED light bulbs and recycled materials usually cost more than traditional ones, they have a longer lifespan, which means the costs of the products are actually lower in the long run.
Anna Kwong Sum-yee, former president of the Hong Kong Institute of Architects, said the costs of green products have come down sharply in recent years.
“About 10 years ago, an LED light bulb cost about HK$120 each. Now you can get one for HK$50 or even HK$30,” she said.
“In fact, green products these days do not necessarily cost more than the traditional ones.”