EcoBiz Project

The ecoBIZ project focused on measuring use of water, energy and waste. These principles and performance indicators are monitored as they are key input costs in the business.

An example is the decision making with growing media. Focusing on growing media with bark and coir fibre, was also about sustainability as both are waste renewable products. We then considered having the growing media   produced under contract rather than being produced in house. A by product of this decision would be a reduction in waste disposal costs as there would no longer be packaging to dispose of.

Monitoring waste costs has demonstrated a further cost saving in waste disposal. This was highlighted over a three week period noting that the bin was on a weekly collection cycle but was going out part filled. Changing to a fortnightly bin collection cut our waste management costs by half.

Also monitoring the waste account highlighted that on cyclical billing we were being billed for a pickup on public holidays which wasn’t happening. We have since been able to get these pickups credited.

The ecoBIZ final report demonstrates that the areas that have been monitored have resulted in benefits to the organisation and the environment.

In upgrading of any plant and equipment as well as processes key components of the decision making are:

• return on investment
• lessening of environmental impact
• Occupational health and safety.

In the upgrading of a water harvesting pump for an investment of $1,000 in a new technology pump we achieved a saving of $800 per annum in running costs.

The saving of electricity in the pumping upgrades has saved up to 20,000 kwh of electricity which is a benefit to the community in not having to generate this power.

This also equates to a saving of 20 tonnes of CO2 emissions per annum.

In highlighting the benefits of turning off appliances on stand by power in our Company newsletter to our people, team members have commented that they now turn off the appliances at home and they have discussed this also with family and friends.

Refer to the ecoBiz case study  below: