Original post:
http://www.business.vic.gov.au/marketing-sales-and-online/business-sustainability/reducing-use

For related resources, Design for Disassembly, Eco-Design, Environment and AD Technology guidelines related to this can be downloaded for free at:
http://www.activedisassembly.com/strategy/


Heading:

Reduce Use

Help to cut your energy and water use and manage waste.

On this page

• Find programs to help measure, track and reduce your resource use
• Know what help is available to manage and reduce waste
• Get ideas to start being more sustainable

If you want to cut your energy and water use, as well as your waste, the good news is you don't have to do it on your own.

Assess your business energy, water and waste use

Measure, track and reduce resource use and waste production using the online program Grow Me The Money. It offers self-assessment and support and members will get an action plan to carry out the required changes. There are also schemes to help you manage specific energy, water and waste problems.

Reduce energy use

CitySwitch Green Office is a free service to support businesses trying to improve office energy efficiency. Fill out the Energy Action Plan to audit and track your resource use, your attempts to reduce use and any issues you have with your landlord.

Reduce water use

To perform a water audit, or if you're planning to reuse or recycle water, visit:

• savewater! Alliance, water and wastewater audit service. This service offers both a basic and a complex site water audit, depending on the size and water use of the business. Through this program you receive access to expert advice, training and help to follow industry benchmarks.
• EPA Victoria reusing and recycling water for ideas and frameworks to reduce water use and generate less wastewater.

Reduce and manage waste

To handle and recycle your waste access help from:

• Recycling Near You to search for local recycling information
• Waste Wise program to assess your waste production. It also helps you develop a waste reduction plan. Find out more by contacting the local Waste Management Group in your area.

How can I get started on being more sustainable?

Additional ways to plan and introduce sustainable practices in your business include:

• reading the advice on your council, energy or water retailer's website
• hiring a professional for a detailed environmental analysis, simply visit the Australian Institute of Refrigeration, Airconditioning and Heating (AIRAH) website for a list of accredited energy auditors. The audit can involve a complete assessment, or help with just one aspect e.g. thermal performance assessment or refrigeration and air conditioning assessment
• contacting your industry association to find out if an active sustainability related project exists, or be the one to start a project for your industry
• investigating what grants and assistance are available in Victoria for your industry e.g. Re-Tooling for Climate Change is a grant for small to medium sized manufacturers to reduce their environmental footprint by improving the energy or water efficiency of their production processes.

For related resources, Design for Disassembly, Eco-Design, Environment and AD Technology guidelines related to this can be downloaded for free at:

http://www.activedisassembly.com/strategy/

Cut Costs: Become a more sustainable business and save your business money.

Original post:
http://www.business.vic.gov.au/marketing-sales-and-online/business-sustainability/cost-reduction


For related resources, Design for Disassembly, Eco-Design, Environment and AD Technology guidelines related to this can be downloaded for free at:
http://www.activedisassembly.com/strategy/


Heading:

Cut Costs

Become a more sustainable business and save your business money.

On this page

• Choose which initiatives to sign up to for incentives and assistance
• Consider your building design and energy supply
• Think about the product life cycle of your products and services

Cut costs and increase market share

Use less and save money. Most of your savings will come from finding ways to reduce these three:

• water
• energy: electricity, gas and fuel use (which means cutting carbon dioxide and greenhouse emissions)
• waste: recycle and use less materials.

Sustainability is best achieved by looking at all aspects of your business but if you don't have the time, focusing on one or two aspects of your business is a good start. If you want guided help visit the Grow Me The Money website.

While some of these ideas may cost initially, you should make your money back in the long term.

Sign up for the Energy saver incentive

The Energy Saver Incentive, also referred to as the Victorian Energy Efficiency Target scheme, is a Victorian Government initiative making energy efficiency more affordable and contributing to the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.

Businesses selling or installing selected products and services that help households and selected businesses use less energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions may be eligible to receive financial incentives.

The scheme operates by placing an obligation on liable energy retailers in Victoria to surrender a specified number of energy efficiency certificates every year. Each certificate represents a tonne of greenhouse gas abated. Revenue generated by accredited businesses through the sale of these certificates to liable parties enables accredited businesses to offer discounts and special offers on selected energy saving products and appliances installed at homes, businesses or other non-residential premises. The bigger the greenhouse gas reduction, the bigger the potential saving.

For a list of energy saving activities currently available under the scheme or to find out more visit the Energy Saver Incentive website.

Build or renovate using eco-smart building design and materials

Architects, builders and some trades (e.g. plumbers) offer specialist 'green' services and materials. Something as simple as a external paint with a thermal paint additive can cut 40% of the sun's heat, reducing your need to run expensive air conditioners. For more information visit our Environmentally friendly building page.

Replace your energy supply with accredited renewable 'green' energy

This can include solar or wind power you buy from your energy retailer. Eligible businesses buying small renewable energy generators, such as solar, hydro or wind systems, will get Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs). The credits in the certificates can be used to cut the cost of installing the system. Run by the federal government clean energy regulator, visit the Clean Energy Regulator website to find out more.

Design products with their entire life cycle in mind

'Eco-design' and 'life cycle design' considers all the raw materials and energy used to manufacture, distribute and use a product to the end of its life. Sustainability Victoria offers useful resources on Lifecycle management

For related resources, Design for Disassembly, Eco-Design, Environment and AD Technology guidelines related to this can be downloaded for free at:

http://www.activedisassembly.com/strategy/