Sustainable Business
No matter what size your business is, being sustainable can help improve your business performance and profitability.
There are a number of programs and resources that can help your business to actively reduce its negative impact on the environment.
Programs
VECCI
Sustainable Business Victoria
City West Water
Resources
Sustainable purchasing factsheet
Reducing your refrigeration costs factsheet
Efficient heating and cooling factsheet
Waste reduction and recycling factsheet
New Businesses
Your business can make a start towards being more sustainable by minimising energy and water usage and reducing waste. Check out our new business page for checklists to give your business a green start.
Save the environment without spending money
Believe it or not, it is possible to save the environment without spending a cent. This year, why not try some of the following handy hints:
Switch off and save
Make sure lights are turned off when not in use. Put up signs on all exit doors reminding staff to switch off lights before leaving. This is the easiest thing you can do to save money, you can email our Environment and Economic Development unit for stickers to help staff remember to flick the switch.
Don’t let your money out the door
Air conditioning is a wonderful thing on a hot summer day and customers love to walk into a nice cool store. However, if you leave your doors wide open while your air conditioner is on, you are making it work much harder and it will cost you much more money. This is especially the case with reverse cycle, split system and refrigerated systems. Close the door and place an inviting sign at the front like, "come in, it’s cool".
Only pay for the energy you use
After work each day, make sure you turn off your electrical appliances and office equipment (microwaves, televisions, computers, photocopiers). If you haven’t turned them off at the power switch then they are costing you money to run. For example, turning a computer off each night and on weekends could save you $80 per year when compared to leaving it on 24/7.
Reduce and reuse
If you print on both sides of paper, then you only need to buy half as much. Ask your customers to join email mailing lists instead of sending out hard copy newsletter. Use the back of scrap paper instead of buying notepads. Share stationary between staff. Encourage customers to bring their own bags.