Green win for products

REUSABLE diapers, energy-saving longlife lightbulbs, and paper made from seaweed and corn yesterday were named winners of an 'eco-friendly' products competition.

In the first annual Environment Friendly Product Competition, organised by businesswomen's group Hong Kong Jayceettes, gold, silver and bronze awards were presented in two categories - consumer and industrial. There were more than 50 entries.

Top consumer goods were reusable diapers, while the silver went to a pencil box and holder made from corrugated cardboard and recycled paper.

Third place went to National-brand Energy Saving Lamps, reputed to save up to 80 per cent in comparable energy costs.

In the industrial category, 100 per cent recycled boxboard took the first prize. The production employs non-toxic chemicals that are not harmful to the environment.

Paper produced from seaweed, corn residuals and vegetable by-products took silver. Bronze went to a concentrated dye, patented by Ciba-Geigy, which scored green points because it allowed smaller amounts to be used.

Chief judge Dr Ho King-chung, a programme leader in environment studies at the Open Learning Institute, said: 'The products had to satisfy a number of requirements. They have to be 'user-friendly', quality products that have a market.

'They must meet specific safety standards as well as meet the 3Rs of recycle, reuse and reduce,' he said.