Business Sustainability Practices

Council encourages all businesses to implement sustainable practices to help lower your energy costs, potentially upgrade your equipment, increased competitiveness and improved bottom lines through better environmental practices.

Local business are encouraged to visit the following website

• Reducing energy costs
• Upgrading electrical equipment
• Sustainability Advantage Program
• Water Saving Tips

Tips for sustainable business

There are many ways to make your business more sustainable:

• Reduce meeting costs: make a phone call instead of holding a meeting, send an email rather than posting, conduct virtual meetings to save the cost of making business trips.
• Minimise using materials: archive computer files rather than print files, advertise on your website rather than in brochures, email your promotional material rather than posting it.
• Reduce waste: re-use old envelopes, have staff use their own mugs, get printer cartridges refilled not replaced and buy recycled stationery supplies.
• Recycle it: recycle everything you can't reuse - check with the council what they will recycle. Set up recycling bins in locations staff will use them. A good way to involve staff is to hold a regular office book, clothing or DVD swap day.
• Turn it off: switch off lights, computers, printers and appliances at the power point when not in use - they will last longer and your power bills will be considerably reduced.
• Outsource it: reduce your server needs and cut power costs by using cloud computing services (web-based data storage) and use virtual office services or outside contractors rather than expand office space.
• Reduce it: turn down the air conditioner - lowering the temperature just one degree on a hot day can increase your energy costs by 10 per cent. Reduce energy consumption further by: using cut-out switches to cut out standby power usage, installing automatic lighting sensors, having power supplied by green energy providers, choosing hybrid cars for your fleet vehicles. In the office kitchen, reduce water and power consumption by running office dishwashers when full, fixing leaky taps and reducing the hot-water temperature setting.
• Buy green: get some green credentials by setting up a sustainable supply policy and guidelines, and send a checklist to your suppliers asking about their sustainable products and services. Ask printers for recycled paper, replace defunct equipment with high-energy efficiency models with a long shelf life.
• Here’s some tips to reduce your water use at work:
  • look for water leaks in fittings and use a water meter or flow restrictor where possible
  • report leaking taps, toilets and showers
  • replace tap washers and seals annually
  • install rainwater tanks and water-saving devices where possible
  • water garden areas only when necessary and use mulch to reduce water loss
  • ensure there is training of staff and testing of equipment for fire-fighting. Penalties apply for incorrect use of fire hoses
  • install software to help water utilities engage with your customers to save water and money
  • consider re-using or recycling water where possible. Refer to Australia's policy reform for the urban water sector
  • develop and implement ways to save water by involving your staff or a ‘water champion’ to check meters and monitor water use. Consult with external experts where possible
  • find out about using non-potable water (this means water not of drinking quality such as recycled water, storm water or greywater)
  • use products with a water efficiency label. Find out more from the Water Efficiency and Labelling Standards Scheme (WELS).