Newsletter 2015 Autumn

Dates to remember

Actsmart Business Sustainability Awards Breakfast 11 June 2015 7.20am – 9.30am Bradman Room, Manuka Circuit, Griffith ACTSmart Accredited Cleaners Workshop Now run over one three-hour session.Visit the NEW Actsmart website for more information - [email protected] Minister’s message Online nominations are now open for the 2015 Actsmart Business Sustainability Awards Welcome to the 2015 Autumn edition of the The annual breakfast event will be held in the Bradman Room Actsmart Business newsletter. at Manuka Oval on Thursday 11 June 2015. In this edition you will Invitations will be sent out in the coming weeks, and find information about we encourage signatories to submit a nomination in the Actsmart Business one or more of the following categories: Sustainability Awards 1 Waste minimisation Breakfast. This annual event is a great opportunity for businesses to be 2 Biggest recycler acknowledged and rewarded for their efforts in our 3 Energy star programs and highlights outstanding achievements in various categories. 4 Innovation excellence There are more than 1000 workplaces participating 5 Motivation excellence in the Actsmart Business programs and I would 6 Corporate Award like to thank these organisations for their continued 7 Small Business Award commitment to sustainability in our region. 8 Minister’s Award for Leadership I encourage residents to look for accredited businesses that display the Actsmart logo and help All Actsmart Business signatories are eligible to nominate support the Actsmart Business programs to create themselves in one or more of the categories listed above. a more sustainable future. More category details are available online. Complete your nomination online now at Simon Corbell MLA actsmart.act.gov.au or contact Carly Scott, Minister for the Environment [email protected] for more information.

1 Have you visited ’s sustainability hub?

Actsmart is excited to announce the launch of Canberra’s sustainability hub, a website allowing greater access to information on a range of sustainability issues, including climate change. The new look website makes it easier for Canberrans to discover actions they can take to lessen their carbon footprint. People can ask questions, share ideas, follow links and find contact information for government and non-government entities. The use of interactive social media by Actsmart will increase over time to better engage and deliver services to Canberra and the region. Follow Actsmart on Twitter using @SustainableCBR and hashtags #actsmart and #sustainableliving. Actsmart would like to follow all Actsmart Businesses so please send us your details! Climate change is a global problem and the ACT Government is committed to working closely with the Canberra community actsmart.act.gov.au to protect our environment and ensure the ACT becomes a sustainable city and clean economy.

This program provides assistance for businesses to reduce energy and water use while lowering operating costs and greenhouse gas emissions. Participating businesses receive an energy and water assessment resulting in a tailored action plan that identifies energy and water saving opportunities. Actsmart will rebate 50% of the cost of any recommendations that are implemented by the business up to $5000*. *see full terms and conditions on the Actsmart website

Facts Carbon Challenge

Did you know energy efficient bulbs consume 70% less energy than incandescent bulbs and last 4–10 times longer.

By turning down your heating by O C just one degree you can save as Will you take the Challenge? much as 10% off your heating bills. The Actsmart Carbon Challenge is an online tool to help ACT residents become more sustainable in their everyday Screen savers can be energy lives. Competing individually or with friends is a fun, wasters. Most computers use twice interactive way to take challenges that earn points as much energy lighting up the towards your profile. Each challenge has lots of great screen as they do for processing. tips and advice on how to complete them.

2 Five quick questions with....

Simone Heaton Thu Nguyen Sparke Helmore Lawyers Kaleen Family Fast Food

1. What was your main goal in signing up to the 1. What was your main goal in signing up to the Actsmart Business Recycling Program? Actsmart Business Energy & Water program? To reduce landfill waste by educating staff about recycling. To increase efficiency and decrease energy (electrical) consumption. 2. Have you seen improvements from staff in their recycling efforts since being involved 2. Have you seen a saving in your energy or in the program? water costs since implementing some/all of identified opportunities? Definitely. People are aware of what can and can’t go in the mixed recycling bins and we are well and truly The change to LED lights has led to an estimated keeping the worms fed with the contents of our decrease in our electricity bill in the last couple of organic waste bins! months. Savings amounted to roughly $150 per month (after implementation of change in lights 3. What, if any, have been the challenges you as well as switching off unused appliances). have faced? 3. What, if any, have been the major challenges Recycling can be a bit of a daggy topic so it was tricky you have faced? getting everyone interested in the beginning, but after The entire process was seamless. The rebate scheme the information session with Actsmart, people were was both accessible and prompt. The rebate claim definitely more engaged and keen to make it work. process was also simple and straight forward. 4. What is the biggest benefit in being part of 4. What is the biggest benefit in being part of the the Actsmart Business Recycling Program? Actsmart Business Energy and Water program? Knowing that we are doing something as an office Definitely the incentives. We were planning to upgrade that’s helping the planet, and it’s as simple as a few items as energy prices were steadily increasing choosing the right bin. but were deterred by the costs. The energy program 5. Would you recommend the program allowed us to implement these changes. to other businesses around the ACT? 5. Would you recommend the program to other There are other businesses not doing it? small businesses around the ACT? What are they waiting for? Most definitely!

“Knowing that we are doing something as an “The entire process was office that’s helping the seamless. The rebate planet, and it’s as simple scheme was both as choosing the right bin.” accessible and prompt.”

3 ACTSmart Business and Office accredited recyclers:

• ACT Auditor General’s Office • Communications Design • Hobart Place Dental • One of a Kind Apartments • ACT Legislative Assembly & Management • HorizonOne Recruitment • OneSteel Reinforcing • Ainslie Football & Social Club • Community Services Directorate • Indigenous Community Volunteers • PCA People - Therapy ACT Holder • Allbids • IP Australia - Therapy ACT Swanson Plaza • Physio Sport O’Connor • AMC Training Centre • Isabella Plains Child • Conference Logistics • Power Protect Care & Education Centre • American Embassy Canberra • Promo Concepts • Conservation Council - Communities@Work • AMSAT International - ACT Region • Queanbeyan City Council • JJ Richards & Sons • Australian Institute of Aboriginal - Admin Building • Continuity Capital Partners • JJ Richards & Sons and Torres Strait Islander Studies - Library • CrimTrac - Queanbeyan • Australian Sports Commission - Home & Community Centre • Delnas Metal Roofing • John James Foundation - AIS Arena • Regency Knights • Department of Education, • Justice & Community Safety • Barmco Mana Partnership Window Fashions Employment and - 12 Moore Street • Reuse - Recycle IT • Bentleys of Canberra - Garran Workplace Relations - ACT Magistrates Court • Biotext - 17 Moore Street - North Building • Richardson Child Care & Education Centre • Department of Environment - ORS Canberra Avenue • Blueblood Solutions - Communities@Work - - Public Trustee • Boston Consulting Group - Victim Support ACT • Robson Environmental • Department of Social Services • Brema Group - Guilfoyle House • KBT Overnight Express • Rolfe Property Services • Brindabella Hearing • Diabetes Australia • KDN Group • Schiavello & Speech Centre • East Hotel • Khyber Pass • Schiavello (QBY) Pty Ltd • Calibre Consulting (ACT) • Economic Development • Koala Playschool • Serco Immigration Services • Calvary John James Hospital Directorate • Kindy Patch Queanbeyan • Service One Members Banking • Canberra Aluminium Warehouse - ACT Gambling and • Kowalski Recruitment • Shepherd Electrical • Canberra Audiology Racing Commission • KPMG - Canberra and Region • Shop Basics • Canberra CBD • Labor Club Visitors Centre • Signs Letters N Lines • Canberra Equine Hospital - Canberra - Exhibition Park Corporation - City • SOS Recruitment • Canberra FM Radio - GIO Stadium - Ginninderra • Sparke Helmore Lawyers • Canberra Furnished - Telstra House - Weston Creek • Spectrum Graphics Accommodation • Education and • Lavender Lane Gungahlin • Canberra Netball Association Training Directorate • Territory & Municipal Services Childcare Directorate • Canberra Veterinary Hospital - Hedley Beare Centre for Teaching and Learning • Lend Lease Building - Dickson Motor Vehicle • Capital Region Farmers Market - Northbourne Avenue • M & M Rolfe Cleaning Services Registry • Capital Waste Skips - Macarthur House • Effective People • McMillan Staff Development - Murrumbidgee depot, • Ciao Cafe & Cakes • Mooseheads • Elections ACT Casuarina Sands • Chief Minister, Treasury and • National Convention Centre • Engineers Australia • The Firm Economic Development Canberra • Environment and • The Hairdressing Directorate, Shared Services • National Electoral Education - Allara Street Planning Directorate - Dame Pattie Menzies Centre • ThyssenKrupp Elevator - Eclipse House - Mitchell • National Library of Australia Australia - Mitchell • Tuggeranong Hyperdome - Bowes Place • Environmental Resources • National Rural Health Alliance (full retail list available online) - Callam Offices Management Australia • Neurospace Physiotherapy • Turner & Townsend - Macarthur House • Fringe Hairdressing • Nicholls Early Childhood Centre • Vivid Print Services • Civil Aviation Safety Authority • GHD • Norman Disney & Young • Waste Away • Coca-Cola Amatil • Gold Creek World of Learning • Norris Cleaning Company • Comcare • Health Directorate • Office of the Commissioner for • Wisdom Learning - Marcus Clarke Street - Queen Elizabeth II Family Centre Sustainability and the Environment • Xact Project Consultants

Get involved today!

Contact: Printed on 100% recycled paper, made in Australia from Australian GPO Box 158 Fax: 02 6207 2244 waste. No chlorine bleaching occurs in the recycling process and the paper has ISO 14001 environmental accreditation. A percentage Canberra ACT 2601 E: [email protected] from the sales of this paper is donated to Landcare Australia for the Phone: 13 22 81 W: actsmart.act.gov.au restoration and replanting of landfill sites throughout Australia. 4