WHEN it comes to going green, Singapore Press Holdings (SPH) shows how serious it is by walking the talk.

Up to 95 per cent of the company's newspapers are printed on recycled newsprint. Everything from print outs to ink cartridges are recycled, the company said in its green report card, released yesterday.

That is up from just 20 per cent in the 1990s.

By year-end, new energy-efficient air-conditioning chillers at Media Centre in Genting Lane, plus a more efficient chiller unit at the Toa Payoh North News Centre, will bring about $500,000 in energy savings each year.

Regularly changing the filters in News Centre's cooling systems also helps reduce carbon dioxide emissions.

The moves follow an energy audit last year of News Centre, Media Centre and the Print Centre in Jurong to ensure the three were energy efficient and eco-smart. Paragon shopping centre will also be audited in the coming months.

The effects of global warming are becoming more apparent, calling for an urgent response, said Ms Ginney Lim, SPH's executive vice-president of legal and corporate communications.

'As a regional media player, SPH would like to be part of the solution to the climate crisis and management of the earth's resources,' she added.

The green thrust extends to all SPH properties, including the upcoming Sky@Eleven, its first luxury condominium. Picture windows on both sides will allow for cross ventilation and allow in more natural light. Lush landscaping will further help keep the condominium cool.

Water use is also watched - a host of water-saving measures put into place this year earned Print Centre the title of a 'water-efficient building' by the PUB, the national water agency, just two weeks ago. These measures include reducing water usage and flush volume, and recycling and reusing water.

A water storage tank on the building's roof also collects rainwater, which is used for watering plants and cleaning purposes. Gutters also channel rainwater into the water tanks of its air-conditioning system's cooling tower.

SPH has also been a keen supporter of conservation in Singapore, and to further spread the message, it will host close to 1,000 staff and business partners at the local premiere of eco-documentary Arctic Tale tomorrow.

Before the screening, SPH Foundation will present a cheque for $120,000 to Wildlife Conservation Singapore which will help support, for example, the breeding of proboscis monkeys at the SPH Foundation Conservation Centre. Since 2004, SPH and SPH Foundation have contributed over $1 million to conservation efforts in Singapore.

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