CLP Power is encouraging its contractors to go green, saying it does not hurt the bottom line.
The company, which provides power to Kowloon and the New Territories, has piloted several eco-friendly measures in the past two years and now plans to implement them for all its projects.
Initially contractors were reluctant to use eco-friendly materials, fearing higher costs, but now they welcome the idea, said CLP regional manager Howard Ng. 'The cost did not really affect us, it accounts for merely 1 per cent of the whole construction cost,' he said.
Many of the green initiatives involve using more biodegradable or sustainable materials for trench work.
Instead of wood or fibreglass, the company uses high density polyethylene for trench decking - the lid that covers a trench - and it is recyclable.
The company has also replaced plastic sheeting used during trench work with biodegradable material. The plastic sheets were used to separate soil and concrete in the final stages of construction.