Released 25/07/2017
Waste Minimisation
Highly Commended – Public Trustee and Guardian for the ACT
After joining the Actsmart program in 2010, the Office of Public Trustee and Guardian for the ACT added mixed recycling and organics resulting in a reduced waste to landfill of only 4% - a target they should feel justifiably proud.
Winner – Brema Group
Prior to joining the program this demolition and earthmoving company sent 67% of waste to landfill. With the help of the Actsmart program they have implemented mixed recycling, paper and battery recycling as well as organic recycling, now sending a tiny 3% of waste to landfill from their office. This result is only matched by their ability to send 98% of waste from their demolition jobs to recycling.
Biggest Recycler
Winner – Calvary Public Hospital Bruce
One of the largest hospitals in the ACT, Calvary Public Hospital in Bruce has implemented 29 waste streams.
Between May 2016 and April 2017 they sent 153.8 tonnes to recycling – equivalent to 10,170 household recycling bins.
Biggest Recycler – Small Event
Winner – Ted X Canberra
This year the event saw a reduction of waste to landfill and a 78% increase in recycling.
Putting their innovation and ideas brand to work saw strategic implementation of mixed recycling and organic bins placed throughout the event, creation of a sustainability checklist for caterers and donation of leftover food to OzHarvest. They even required all cutlery and drinking cups, to be made from recyclable materials or biodegradable.
Biggest Recycler – Large Event
Highly Commended – Community Services Directorate – National Multicultural Festival
Over 200,000 people attended this year’s three-day National Multicultural Festival.
The event more than doubled the volume of recycling than any previous years with 12.3 tonnes of material being recycled.
Winner – Kicks Entertainment Events ‘Spilt Milk 2016’
Recycling with enthusiasm and innovation, Kicks Entertainment set up 240 recycling bins at the front of house area of their event in Commonwealth Park. They also had 1100 litre containers to maximise recycling in the back of house.
By implementing a $1 deposit scheme for drink containers this incentivised patrons to return containers for recycling, as well as minimise litter and the impact to surrounding businesses.
Using Actsmart water refill stations the event reduced the number of drink containers sent to landfill.
Energy and Water Star
Highly Commended – Squash ACT
The lighting at this Woden facility had not been upgraded since the 1960s and brought many challenges to the team at Squash ACT. Identifying suitable options for squash court lighting upgrades has resulted in an annual saving of $1,300 and 4.53 tonnes of C02 with players commending the improvements.
Winner – Anytime Fitness Gungahlin
Working with the Actsmart Energy and Water Program, this 24 hour facility recognised there were opportunities to reducing their greenhouse gas emissions.
Installing 150 LED light panels will save them approximately $4,928 per year in energy bills. It will also reduce energy by 27,000 kwh per year – equivalent to about 19.3 tonnes of C02 emissions.
Small Business Award
Winner – Boy and Girl Co
With most timber pallets being sent to landfill Boy and Girl Co saw an opportunity to turn pallets into functional, stylish and sustainable custom furniture.
Since starting operation in 2013 this sustainable company has diverted 11,000 timber pallets from landfill – equivalent to the weight of 100 African Bush Elephants.
Corporate Award
Winner – Griffin Legal
Taking responsibility for their impact on the environment Griffin Legal joined the Actsmart business recycling program in 2013 to reduce waste to landfill by 29% - despite an increase in their workforce by 30%.
Becoming a paperless office required staff to create new work habits and processes. They participated in an ANU study on workplace recycling habits and encourage staff to walk to meetings, take public transport and ride to work.
Motivation Excellence
Winner – KPMG
After implementing the Actsmart program, KPMG staff are dedicated to making a difference. They are educated and motivated with pass/fail signs on recycling bins. They also participate in office harvest where staff bring in excess food for sharing.
Innovation Excellence
Winner – Australian Sports Commission
After joining the program in 2013 the Australian Sports Commission implemented their own on-site organics system, transforming a clay tennis court into a worm farm.
Now with more than 160,000 worms and four worm farm beds, the project recycles approximately 3,400kgs of organic waste per month.
Minister’s Award for Leadership
Winner – Ollie McInerney – US Embassy Canberra
Ollie is responsible for the profound impact on waste reduction throughout the US Embassy in Canberra.
Working with the Actsmart program, Ollie has driven the US Embassy results including:
- recycling over 200 kg of household batteries, 35 tonnes of concrete waste, and 200 kg of toner cartridges annually
- collecting unused paints and properly disposing them at the collection point
- introducing a lamp globe recycling collection point for office and residential fluorescent lights, compact fluorescent lights and projector lamps
- recycling approximately 100 tonnes of green waste every year
- launching a public awareness campaign encouraging employees to “Turn it Off!” – referring to lights. Electricity use is down thanks to the use of e-notices and labels on
- switches
- installing a worm farm at the Ambassador’s residence that provides employees with a “green” means of disposing organic waste
- briefing new employees and their families on Australian recycling standards
- embedding multiple environmental approaches in day-to-day operations at more than 50 expat residences located throughout the ACT
- providing a discount of up to 50 cents from the embassy cafeteria for all patrons who provide their own coffee mug in lieu of a paper cup
- utilising 100% of food waste from the embassy cafeteria for employees’ chickens and the worm farm (10 kg weekly).
Ollie has shown innovation in reaching out to the entire embassy community across Canberra. He has increased awareness for hundreds of local citizens and shown leadership to the diplomatic community.
- Statement ends -
Shane Rattenbury, MLA | Media Releases
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