How to become a more Environmentally Friendly Business

An environmental audit looks at how your business affects the environment and sets a benchmark for improvement. It’s useful for finding the areas of your business that impact on the environment the most. Checking how well you meet environmental regulations also helps you manage business risk.

Taking a proper look at your business by getting an environmental audit can help you to:

• properly understand what kind of damage to the environment is caused, or potentially caused by your business activity
• discover tips to switch these activities that will manage, improve, or reverse the damage done, and help the environment in the long term
• understand what steps you need to take to reduce your environmental impact
• show your accountability to customers, shareholders and government

To be successful, environmental audits must be independent, objective, credible and transparent. Get regular ongoing audits that compare to your benchmark or initial assessment – and include details in your business’s environmental plan.

Set up your Environmental Management System

An environmental management system (EMS) is a handy tool for managing your business’s environmental impact by:

• improving your use of resources
• helping you meet your environmental goals

What to include:

• the environmental impacts of your business (as discovered in your audit)
• any environmental objectives
• your operational and emergency procedures related to environmental matters
• an outline of your responsibilities
• areas for improvement

You can get your EMS accredited. The ISO 14001 standard sets out the requirements for a certified EMS.

Manage Energy Use in your Home or Business

• install double glazed windows to stop heat escaping
• insulation in the walls will also help to stop heat escaping
• seal doors and windows and installing automatic doors to reduce drafts
• use energy efficient light bulbs
• install timers and smart meters
• use energy efficient equipment and regularly maintain it
• look into energy efficient heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems
• look into cogeneration or tri-generation technology – if your business uses a lot of energy (such as an office, hotel or data centre). Cogeneration systems generate heat and power, tri-generation systems generate heat, power and cooling
• reduce energy use during peak periods by switching off unnecessary equipment and installing automatic timers
• compare energy offers on the Energy Made Easy website
• see how you can improve your NABERS energy rating and save money on your energy bills

Switch to Alternate Energy

Try switching to a green energy provider or go a step further and install solar solutions that will allow you to generate your own electricity. Before making any big decisions it’s important to consider all your options.

• first ensure alternatives suit your business needs
• explore potential costs so you don’t have any nasty surprises
• investigate any feed-in tariffs – getting paid for sending electricity into the network

Reduce your Water Usage

There are lots of ways to reduce how much water you and your business uses, from choosing an alternative water provider to putting a water management plan in place. Your environmental audit should have helped you discover how much water you actually need to run your business, now you can look for ways to be more efficient.

Here are some tips for reducing your water use at work:

• seek out any water leaks and use a water meter or flow restrictor where possible
• always report leaking faucets
• replace tap washers and seals
• install rainwater tanks and water-saving devices
• water garden areas only when absolutely necessary
• wherever possible, reuse and recycle water where possible
• involve staff in checking meters and monitoring their own water use
• find out more about using non-potable water
• use products with a water efficiency label. Find out more from the Water Efficiency and Labelling Standards Scheme (WELS)

Watch your Waste

To manage your waste better your best bet is always to follow the 3 Rs – reduce, reuse and recycle. Here are some ways to help your business reduce its waste:

• know your waste – it’s important to understand the types of waste and how much of it your business produces. Try Bin Trim, it’s a great audit tool that measures your waste and helps you identify the materials you could recycle or reuse
• separate – once you know what rubbish your business can recycle or reuse make sure you have separate bins for landfill and for recycling
• introduce a waste reduction program – encourage cooperation and engagement with staff. Appoint a waste management coordinator to set up and run a program, and identify local recyclers
• review your products – could your business use less? Take a look at the materials you use in packaging then reduce, reuse or recycle them!
• go green – talk to suppliers about what they’re doing to use more environmentally friendly products or materials in their own businesses and support the ones who are doing a good job

You can search for a list of recyclers as well as recycling options for around 90 different materials on the Business Recycling website.

Hazardous Waste

Hazardous waste is anything that could potentially harm people, or the environment, such as solvent-based paints, garden chemicals, batteries, fuels and computer equipment.

• asbestos – Find out how to best manage  the removal of asbestos in the workplace here.
• radioactive waste – you can find more information about radioactive waste on the Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources website here
• medical waste – this includes blood, body fluids or other infectious materials. This sort of waste is usually incinerated, or you can place the waste in a prescribed container for collection and disposal by a licensed waste transporter
• electronic waste – find a recycling drop-off point near you for your electronic waste
• tyre recycling – find accredited tyre recyclers or join the voluntary Tyre Stewardship national scheme

Find Local Resources

• Protected Matters Search tool – find out if there are threatened species, important wetlands, heritage sites or pollutant emissions in your area.
• National Waste Policy – sets out Australia’s waste management and resource recovery.