Green Table issue 1

Green table Australia’s first environmental certification scheme for restaurants and catering businesses

Green Waste What can and can’t be

recycled, and how to save on grease trap costs, plus

much more. See page 4.

eco-efficiency There are a number of

initiatives that businesses can subscribe to in

order to reduce their emissions. See

page 10

Water savinG

Fixing a leaking tap or changing to dual flush toilets can lead to

significant savings in water usage. See page 19.

Eammon Hamilton of Red Scooter, melbourne, talks about how a sustainable business is a successful one.

“The only things we don’t recycle are ideas!”

AustraliaHow you can make your business eco-efficient.

August 2008/Issue 1

SPONSORS

contents

GREEN TABLE AUSTRALIA www.greentable.com.au 3

GReeN waSte Learn how to recycle your paper from your metals, how to limit oils and grease in waste water and complete the food cycle with home-grown compost.

ecO-efficieNcy From your hot water to your air-conditioning, to your lighting, watering, flushing, freezing and general energy consumption, here’s how to get more bang for your eco-buck.

wateR-SaviNGIt’s one of the nation’s most precious resources, so how do you rate in the waterwise stakes? Flushing, dripping and leaking all play a part—so find out how you run in our race to save water.

BiOdeGRadaBle SuPPlieSDo you know your toxins from your carcinogens to your biodegradability factors? Choosing truly environmentally friendly products could be more complex than you think. Break down the riddle with our simple guide.

4Green Table magazine is published under licence on behalf of Restaurant & Catering Australia by Engage Custom Media, Suite 1.14, 22–36 Mountain Street, Ultimo, NSW 2007 www.engagemedia.com.au

Editorial Director: Rob Johnson Sub-editor: Lucy Robertson Creative Director: Tim Donnellan Designer: Mahnaz Parman

Commercial Director: Mark Brown

Sales Director: Glynne Keelan Account Manager: Debbie Mulcahy ph: (02) 9212 6995

For all editorial, subscription and advertising enquiries, ph: 1300 722 878 Print Post approved PP: 2255003/06505, ISSN 1442-9942. ©2007 Engage Custom Media. Views expressed in the Green Table Australia magazine are not necessarily those of Restaurant & Catering Australia or that of the publisher, editor or Engage Custom Media.

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14

19

Green table AUSTRALIA

this magazine is printed on Forest stewardship council (Fsc) accredited paper from an environmental Management system Iso14001 compliant mill. It is pH neutral and is made using elemental chlorine-free pulp.

The management of rubbish, waste and general cleaning up must be carried out with minimal impact on the environment in order for the restaurant industry to enjoy a sustainable future. Basic principles include recycling paper, glass, plastic and metal items, as well as composting food waste where appropriate. Efficient stock management should also be used to reduce spoilage and unnecessary waste.

the FACtSAustralia generated more than 32 million tonnes of solid waste in 2002-03, which is equivalent to about 1.7 tonnes per capita. Approximately 60 per cent of this waste is buried in landfill. This represents a huge ongoing loss of invested energy, extracted resources and natural services. If used materials are captured and sorted before they go into landfill, they can be transformed into useable new products. For instance: õ Steel cans never die; if they don’t end up as landfill, they can be recycled into cars, planes and train tracks (see www.steelcans.com.au for more). õ Plastic drink bottles never die; they can be made into ‘ecofleece’ jackets (www.kathmandu.com.au). õ Old plastic milk bottles never die; they can come back as plant pots and recycling bins (www.visy.com.au). õ Used cordial bottles never die; they can be recycled into vinyl tiles and PVC pipes (www.vinyl.org.au). õ Even telephone books don’t die; they can be turned into kitty litter (Equinox Manufacturing, 9570 3855). õ Second-hand computers, vacuum cleaners and toasters never die; they come back to life as chairs and tables (www.wharington.com.au). õ Printing toner and ink cartridges never die, they can be reborn as road speed humps and fence posts (www.closetheloop.com.au). õ Car batteries never die, they can come back as worm farms (www.reln.com.au). õ Even the scraps of office paper and shredded documents don’t die; it all comes back as toilet and tissue paper (www.softex.net.au).

Did you know?õ Recycling just one aluminium can will save enough energy to run a television set for three hours. õ Saving one tonne of paper from landfill saves the equivalent of 13 trees, 2.5 barrels of oil, 4100 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity, four cubic metres of landfill and 31,780 litres of water.

Every week, a single Australian small business that separates their recycling properly can save: õ More than three kilograms of greenhouse gas that would otherwise contribute to global warming; õ Enough electricity to run a 40-watt light bulb for 72 hours; õ Air pollution equal to emissions from 4.5 kilometres of travel in an average passenger car; õ Over 90 litres of water, which is enough to wash five sink-loads of dirty dishes; and õ Almost four kilograms of waste from going to landfill.

The latest Roy Morgan research shows a staggering 99 per cent of Australians understand that recycling is good for the environment.

Further, the majority of the nation’s population supports recycling. This is reflected in high recycling rates for newsprint and aluminium cans—currently around 70 per cent and 67 per cent respectively.

However, just 44 per cent of glass bottles and 40 per cent of steel food cans are currently being recycled. Some of the glass is reused, but the equivalent of a billion soup cans are sent to landfill every year.

Lots of paper and cardboard still ends up in the rubbish bin when it could be separated for recycling. The City of Melbourne’s Waste Wise Guide contains information aimed at helping consumers identify the types of plastics to recycle using identification numbers on the bottom of the bottle.

What is compost?Composting is the breaking down of natural organic material like food scraps and garden waste in a large container or heap. Composting can convert food and garden waste into dark coloured soil (humus) in a

recycling

Green waste

4 GREEN TABLE AUSTRALIA www.greentable.com.au

õ Recycle all paper, glass, plastic and metal.õ Compost food scraps and green waste. õ Use appropriate stock management techniques to reduce general waste.

MINIMUM reqUIreMeNtS

The Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre (BCEC) is a world-class, purpose-built venue renowned for its operational and service excellence. It is located in a unique urban, cultural and entertainment precinct in the heart of Brisbane.

Owned by South Bank Corporation and proudly managed by AEG Ogden (Convex) Pty Ltd, the centre is the largest venue management company in the Asia Pacific region.

The centre has been a member of Australia’s Greenhouse Challenge since 2003 and continues to introduce new initiatives, including widescale recycling and efficient use of its resources. The centre’s overall objective is to improve its environmental, operational and geographic surroundings and is committed to becoming a world leader in sustainable event management.

The centre’s Environmental Task Force is charged with striving to achieve sustainable development and performance through a balance of environmental, economic, social and cultural factors. It aims to put sustainability at the very core of the way it does business, partnering with key clients, suppliers and employees.

The task force’s strategies cover the four key areas of the Green Table program—including energy efficiency, water efficiency, waste recycling and use of biodegradable supplies.

The BCEC has monitored and recorded energy consumption since it opened in 1985. Every event organiser in the centre can access their own energy consumption results to ensure they are either offsetting or minimising usage. Across the

centre, safely reducing lighting during down times, using energy efficient lighting in public areas and better managing the operations of the centre’s air conditioning has significantly reduced the centre’s overall energy consumption.

As Brisbane is in one of the areas of Australia with significant water conservation issues, the BCEC has had to meet the challenge of reducing its use of water head-on. This is no mean feat in a business that has to house events such as The Boat Show. Sita Waste Management helps the centre stream their waste to ensure that there is maximum re-use everything discarded from the facility. Cooking oil, toner, containers, green water and paper are all separated and enter the waste stream separately.

The BCEC’s commitment to the environment is something to behold. The next generation can be proud of this outstanding pillar of the industry in Brisbane’s city centre. n

CASe StUDy: CArINg For the eNvIroNMeNt IS BIg BUSINeSS IN BrISBANe


matter of a few weeks. There is nothing mysterious or complicated about composting—in fact, it occurs all the time in the natural world. Decomposition occurs because of the action of naturally occurring bacteria, fungi and invertebrates. The nutrients, which were once part of the living plant or animal, are returned to the soil or water where they are able to support the growth of new plants. Composting is nature’s recipe for recycling.

It has many benefits for the environment because: õ Composting food and garden waste saves valuable landfill space; õ It can be used as fertiliser on the garden; and õ It greatly improves the condition of soils.

More than half of our garbage is made up organic waste—the majority of which can be easily composted.

In the right conditions, a composting heap or specially designed compost bin can accelerate the

natural process of decay. As bacteria and fungi feed and multiply, they give off a great deal of heat. In fact, temperatures in commercial composting systems can reach as high as 70ºC in the central core!

When this temperature drops, invertebrates such as worms and millipedes enter the heap and complete the process of decomposition. In a pile of mature compost, there may be a wide variety of invertebrates present. Some creatures, such as springtails, millipedes, mites, slugs and earthworms, feed on broken-down materials. Other creatures like spiders and scorpions prey on the plant feeders, creating a balanced ecosystem.

typeS oF DeCoMpoSItIoNBefore choosing a composting system, it is important to understand the types of decomposition that naturally occur in a compost heap or bin.


Aerobic decomposition—with airThis is the preferred process of decomposition, where micro-organisms break down organic waste into water, carbon dioxide. It is relatively rapid and can cause the heap to become hot. Compost piles need to be turned regularly to get air to the micro-organisms. Aerobic decomposition has an earthy, natural smell.

Adding worms to compost bins can also help to naturally aerate the organic material. Composting with worms produces less heat and can take longer, but the product is more desirable. Worms can be easily transferred to the compost from a separate worm farm.

Anaerobic decomposition—without airAnaerobic decomposition occurs without oxygen. The process is quite slow, provides an incomplete breakdown of organic matter and is generally considered an undesirable fault of composting facilities, as it can give off unpleasant odours such as ammonia, and—more importantly—methane gas, which is a powerful greenhouse gas.

Green Waste and Composting Systems can be sourced from SITA Environmental Solutions, BioBins Australia, and local hardware or gardening stores.

For compost suppliers and services in your local area, visit www.yellow.com.au.

recycling

Used cooking oils and fats that are not recycled properly represent a major environmental issue.

Every year tens of thousands of tonnes of Used Cooking Oils and Fats (UCO) are disposed of in landfill or poured into waterways leading to soil and water contamination. Used cooking oils in our water system are a major contributing factor in sewer and stormwater overflows.

Equally, there are tens of thousands of tonnes collected that are not properly treated yet re-enter the food chain as stock-feed and represent a major risk to our primary industry.

Used cooking oils and fats (or brown waste as it is known) need correct handling and disposal. The draft Australian Standard plus EPA Legislation in each state outlines some of the requirements including;õ Used Cooking Oils and Fats (UCO) should be recycled rather than sent to landfill or poured into waterways. Significant penalties may apply under environmental legislation.õ UCO must be stored in sealed containers that have not previously contained chemicals or mineral oils and are clearly labelled for UCO only.õ Collectors of UCO are required to be licensed in many states and must have appropriate equipment in case of spills.õ The collector of UCO must keep a record of all collections so that UCO is traceable back to the source in the case of a contamination.õ Recovered oils and fats must be heat treated and filtered prior to sale as a recycled oil.õ UCO recyclers must have a testing regime to ensure recycled cooking oil is below the residue limits for pesticides and chemicals.

By recycling your cooking oils, not only will you be helping the environment, but it can make good economic sense. Recycling your spent cooking oils with a recycling system such as the Auscol Oil Kaddy SystemTM may lead to reduced Workers Compensation premiums as you create a cleaner and safer work environment. Also, companies such as AuscolTM may offer rebates for collecting quantities of cooking oil from your premisies.

Recycling used cooking oil is a simple way to make an immediate improvement to the environment. Not only is it good for the environment but in many ways it makes good economic sense for the restaurant owner.õ For more information on Auscol, call toll Free: 1800 629 476 n

SUpplIer INForMAtIoN: AUSCol AND USeD CookINg oIl reCyClINg

WhAt CAN Be SeNt to CoMpoSt?Cardboard rolls; Clean paper; Coffee grounds and

filters; Cotton rags; Dryer and vacuum cleaner lint;

Eggshells; Fireplace ashes; Fruits and vegetables;

Grass clippings; Hair and fur; Hay and straw;

Houseplants; Leaves; Nut shells; Sawdust;

Shredded newspaper Tea bags; Wood chips; Wool

rags; Yard trimmings

WhAt ShoUlD Not Be SeNt to

CoMpoSt?Black walnut tree leaves or twigs; Coal or charcoal

ash; Dairy products (e.g., butter, egg yolks, milk,

sour cream, yogurt); Diseased or insect-ridden plants;

Fats, grease, lard, or oils; Meat or fish bones and

scraps; Pet wastes (e.g., dog or cat feces, soiled

cat litter); Yard trimmings treated with chemical

pesticides


reCyClINgpaper and cardboardThe benefits to the environment of recycling paper products include a reduction in tree felling, landfill and greenhouse gas emissions. Some common recyclable items include: õ Computer printouts;õ Letterhead and envelopes;õ Computer reports;õ White forms;õ Magazines and newspapers;õ Manila folders;õ Cardboard products;õ Coloured paper;õ Phone books;õ Fax and photocopy paper;õ Glossy brochures; andõ Stapled reports.

glass, plastic and aluminiumConsumers and business owners can choose a more environmentally friendly option for their co-mingled containers and help to make a huge difference to the environment. Recyclable items include:õ Milk cartons;õ Juice boxes;õ Plastic bottles without lids;

õ Aluminium or steel cans;õ Liquid paperboard (like milk and juice containers)õ Glass bottles; andõ Coloured glass jars.

With these products, there’s not even any need to separate them into glass, plastic and metal items—just put all containers in one bin and the sorting will be done at the depot. MRF technology allows material collected from commercial customers to be sorted at a central location. After the initial sorting, various material streams are sold back to the market. From there, they are converted into re-usable products.

What shouldn’t be included:Of course, there are some items that can’t be recycled. Including these items in with the rest of your recycling can actually hinder the sorting process: õ General household garbage;õ Styrofoam;õ Food scraps, soiled paper or dirty boxes;õ Plastic cups, plates or utensils;õ Paper towels, plates or napkins;õ Car parts;õ Light bulbs;õ Disposable nappies or rags;õ Ceramics; andõ Plastic bags.

SITA Environmental Solutions (SITA) is one of Australia’s leading recycling and waste management companies.

Their industry knowledge and experience combined with their comprehensive service range enables them to provide customers with integrated ‘cradle to grave’ environmental and sustainable waste management solutions.

Operating in all mainland States and the Australian Capital Territory, they provide services to more than 43,000 commercial and industrial customers and more than 800,000 households each week across Australia.

As part of their commitment to customers, they offer integrated waste solutions managing all forms of waste, such as:õ Solid (general, commercial/ industrial, building/construction, domestic)

õ Recycling (paper and cardboard, plastic, glass, timber, steel) õ Hazardous (Prescribed) õ Landfill (domestic, inert, putrescible, prescribed hazardous, soil, asbestos) õ Liquid (grease traps, triple interceptors, prescribed, oils, photographic) õ Security Disposal õ Product Destruction õ Builders’ Bins

õ Temporary Bins õ Hygiene Services (sanitary, nappy, flushers, dispensers, deep clean) õ Medical (sharps, pathology, pharmaceutical, clinical) õ Low level Radioactive õ Fluorescent Tube collection and recycling õ Printer Cartridge collection and recycling

Your initial call to SITA will result in a service representative making an on-site assessment of your business, that will allow the preparation of waste management proposal for your business. They will only offer solutions for your waste management that are appropriate for your business, and it will be your choice to select one or all of the solutions. Give SITA a call for a no obligation assessment of your business on 13 13 35 n

SUpplIer INForMAtIoN:SItA eNvIroNMeNtAl ServICeS


recycling

MIlk AND JUICe CArtoN reCyClINg These types of containers make up a significant part of our national recycling. Even if consumers only recycle their milk and juice containers and nothing else, the environmental benefits would be huge.

Just look at the facts: õ More than one billion milk and juice cartons are used each year in Australia. õ Some 2300 tonnes of liquid paperboard (milk and juice cartons) were recovered for recycling in 2002-03. õ The lightweight nature of cartons means they need less energy to transport and refrigerate than most other beverage packaging. õ About five sheets of office paper can be made from a single recycled milk carton.

Closing the recycling loop:Of course, recycling is only possible if a market for recycled goods is maintained. There are three basic steps to recycling—sorting and collecting recyclables, followed by reprocessing them into new products, and finally, the sale of the new items containing recycled content. Buying recycled products means we will maintain the demand for recycled products over ‘virgin’ products, thus driving the impetus for Australian recycling systems.

WhAt elSe CAN Be reCyCleD? There’s plenty more that can be done to reduce waste—especially on a commercial level.

grease trap servicesBy not releasing grease, oil and fat into the natural environment via wastewater, consumers can prevent significant amounts of pollution, as well as minimising pipe and drain blockages. While the most effective grease traps can be expensive to service, the costs are usually offset by healthier pipes.

how to cut grease trap costs:õ Remove food scraps from plates before washing;õ Wrap up waste cooking oils dispose in a bin;õ Collect bulk fats and cooking oils for recycling; and õ Never pour cooking oil down the drain or toilet.

Like with many things, prevention is always the best strategy when it comes to minimising pollution.

BIo-DIeSelBiodiesel is the name of a clean-burning alternative fuel that is produced from domestic waste and renewable resources like crops. Biodiesel contains no petroleum, but it can be blended at any level with petroleum diesel to create a biodiesel blend.

In various blended levels, biodiesel can be used in compression-ignition (diesel) engines with little or no modifications to the vehicle. It is simple to use, relatively inexpensive to produce, biodegradable, non-toxic and essentially free of sulfur and aromatics.

how is biodiesel made?Biodiesel is made through a chemical process called transesterification, whereby the glycerin is separated from fat or vegetable oils. The process leaves behind two products—methyl esters (the chemical name for biodiesel) and glycerin (a valuable byproduct usually used to make soap and other products).

oil collections:õ AusCol Pty Ltd collects used vegetable oils;

For services in your area, visit www.yellow.com.au, or go to www.recyclingnearyou.com.au.

õ yellow Waste Management Solutions: Visit www.yellow.com.au

õ planet Ark’s recycling solutions Visit www.recyclingnearyou.com.au

õ Sustainability victoria recycling Services: Visit www.sustainability.vic.gov.au

õ Department Water, environment, heritage and the Arts Managing Waste:

www.environment.gov.au/settlements/waste

õ Waste & Recycling report: Visit www.environment.gov.au/settlements/publications/waste/waste-recycling.html

õ CSIro Waste Management Solutions: Visit www.csiro.au

õ realestate.com.au green living tips: Visit www.renovate.realestate.com.au/ resources/green-living/recycling

õ Cleanup Australia rubbish report: Visit www.cleanup.org.au/PDF/au/rubbishreport

õ envirobank recycling facts: Visit www.envirobank.com.au/recycling-facts

õ City of Melbourne facts and figures: Visit www.melbourne.vic.gov.au

FIND oUt More!

Do your bit to help make the hospitality industry Climate FriendlyTM

To make your business Climate Friendly, we provide;

• Carbon footprinting services and advice.

• Flexible options to switch your business in part or in total to accredited GreenPowerTM.

• Internationally recognised renewable energy carbon credits to offset emissions associated with everything from fl ights and taxis to meals and waste.

• Brand reassurance and recognition as a credible provider whose services ensure real action on climate change.

• Climate Friendly is the only Australian member of the International Carbon Reduction and Offset Alliance to ensure best standards.

Take your fi rst step towards doing your bit for the environment and become a Climate Friendly business and preferred ‘green’ hospitality supplier.

“Taking care of greenhouse gas emissions is a great fi rst step towards a sustainable hospitality industry. Climate Friendly have helped us to offset all emissions associated with the day-to-day running of Billy Kwong Restaurant - our clients love that they can also contribute to a clean energy future” Kylie Kwong

Phone (02) 9356 3600 www.climatefriendly.com

Independently verifi ed carbon credits and industry membership

Businesses should undertake to use natural gas to run as many appliances as possible in their businesses, use a minimum of 20 per cent green energy, or purchase carbon offsets to balance out the emissions from their energy use.

There are a number of initiatives that businesses should subscribe to in order to reduce their emissions. They include, but are not limited to:

Hot water servicesõ Set the thermostat temperature to 65 degrees. Note: In order to avoid Legionella the temperature of stored water needs to be above 60ºC, according to Australian standards. However, if systems are kept higher than 70ºC, energy is wasted through heat loss through the tank walls. In addition, an approved temperature flow control valve must be fitted if a new hot water system or new hot water plumbing is being installed.

Heating and air-conditioningõ Set the temperature on the thermostat of winter heating to a maximum of 21.5 degrees and for summer cooling no lower than 23.5 degrees. Note: For every one degree above or below these temperatures, energy costs rise by 10 per cent.õ Ensure that heaters and air-conditioners are only used in occupied areas and when needed.õ Avoid use of portable fan heaters, radiators and oil-filled column heaters. If portable heating is required, a panel heater with thermostat and timer is a preferable option for business owners.

Refrigeration and freezingõ Do not use oversized fridges if a smaller one is available. For example, a 400-litre fridge used to store a carton of milk is wasteful and expensive to run.õ Excess fridges and freezers should be switched off when not in use, or completely removed.õ Temperature set points should be between three and four degrees for refrigerators, and between -15ºC and -18ºC for freezers.

Note: Setting the temperature too low is inefficient and will not preserve the contents any better. Decreasing settings by a single degree can increase energy consumption by up to five per cent. õ Check door seals properly at least every six months. The seals should hold a piece of paper in place when the fridge door is closed. Condensation around the door seals indicates a severe problem. õ Leave at least a five-centimetre gap between the rear of your fridge or freezer and the wall to allow adequate ventilation for heat dispersal. õ Dust the coils at the rear of your fridge at least every six months to ensure optimum performance of the cooling mechanism. õ Defrosting should be carried out at least every six months or as required following frost build-up.

Lighting It is possible to decrease the amount of energy used by your lights by up to 80 per cent without affecting your lighting levels or quality, by changing lightbulbs to energy efficient compact fluorescent lamps or micro fluoro’s (alternatives for halogen lights). See the box on the next page for more information.

Kitchen equipmentõ Don’t leave stoves idling when not in use. Only turn the burners on when they are required.õ Only use the dishwasher when you have a full load to wash. This also reduces water consumption.õ When considering installing new equipment, make sure you use equipment that has been rated under the Government’s energy efficiency scheme.

poweR suppLiesAlternatives to using normal electricityA century or so ago, humans discovered that by burning fossil fuels, they could make a wonderful new energy called electricity. Since then, electricity has become such an important part of our lives that we wouldn’t want to live without it.

power supply

Eco-efficiency

õ Use natural gas to run stoves OR use a minimum of 20 per cent green power OR Offset a minimum of 20 per cent of electricity use through carbon offsetting purchases.

õ Replace all light fittings with energy-efficient lamps and globes.õ Reduce general energy consumption in all areas of business.

MiNiMuM ReQuiReMeNTs



However, electricity from fossil fuels comes with a big environmental price tag. To produce all this electricity, we are burning huge amounts of coal and oil and one day, these fossil fuels will run out. Burning fossil fuels also produces lots of carbon dioxide: one of the main causes of global warming.

Fortunately for us, there’s green power—other ways of making electricity that don’t pollute our atmosphere and are renewable (that is, they won’t run out).

Renewable energy is sustainable energy that comes from the natural environment. It is obtained from sources that are essentially inexhaustible, unlike fossil fuels of which there is a finite supply and cannot be

replenished. Renewable sources of energy include solar, wind, water, biomass, wood, waste, geothermal, wind, photovoltaic and solar thermal energy. Non-renewable energy sources include coal, oil and natural gas.

why use natural gas?õ Natural gas is a colourless, odourless mixture of gases made predominantly of methane (CH4). Other gases that can contribute to the formation of natural gas include small amounts of ethane (C2H6), propane (C3H8) and butane (C4H10). õ Methane burns relatively cleanly to produce heat energy and the by-products of water and carbon

iNCANDesCeNTsIncandescent lamps or bulbs are the most commonly used type of lighting. They include the standard everyday light bulbs and halogen downlights. They are typically inexpensive to buy but their lifetime running costs are high. Incandescent lamps are most suitable for areas where lighting is used infrequently and for short periods, such as laundries, toilets and also harsh environments like inside fridges and ovens.

CoMpACT FLuoResCeNTsThe best alternative to the standard lightbulb in most situations is the compact fluorescent lamp, or CFL. They have become commonly available in the last few years and provide very good quality light with up to 80 per cent less energy use than an equivalent incandescent light bulb. The main issue with compact fluorescents is the large amount of energy and materials that goes into manufacturing a lamp compared to an incandescent. This is known as embodied energy. The much longer typical lifetime of a CFL means that the greater embodied energy is more than made up for by the energy saved during use.

HALoGeN LAMpsHalogen downlights have become very popular over recent years. They are usually low voltage systems, which many people have interpreted as low-power. This is not true. Because of the nature of the halogen downlights, more fittings are needed to light up a room compared to traditional light globe batten fittings. Count the number of halogen downlights in your business and add up the watts.

HiGH-eFFiCieNCY, Low-wATTAGe HALoGeNs The cheapest alternative is to replace your existing halogen lamps with the more efficient IRC lamps. They are identical to standard halogen lamps, except that the bulb has an Infra Red Coating which reflects some of the heat back into the filament. These lamps will save up to 30 per cent of energy compared to a standard halogen.

MiCRo FLuoRosThe most efficient alternative to halogen downlights requires a larger up front investment but will save far more energy, up to 80 per cent, and will more than pay for itself over the lifetime of the lamp. They also have a life of approximately 15,000 hours (five times that of a 12-volt halogen lamp).

LeDsLight Emitting Diodes are semiconductor devices that emit light. They can potentially have a very long life (100,000 hours), offer reasonably high efficiencies and are compact, very rugged and highly controllable for both colour and brightness. Currently, LEDs tend to be very focussed light sources and there are limitations on the power output levels, so are not practical for room lighting. But they are ideal for display and task lighting. n

TYpes oF LAMps AND THeiR ALTeRNATiVes


dioxide. Inefficiencies in burning can produce small amounts of pollutants such as nitrogen oxides. õ Natural gas is lighter than air. So if it leaks from a pipe or appliance, it won’t sink and form dangerous pools of explosive gas but will disperse into the air. õ For safety reasons, an odour is added to the gas so that a person with a normal sense of smell can easily detect leakages.õ Today, natural gas is one of the world's most important fuel sources. In fact, more than 20 per cent of our energy usage is fueled by natural gas.

Natural gas and the environmentõ Natural gas is a non-renewable fuel source that took millions of years to produce in the earth’s crust. õ To make better use of the finite supply, we will need to develop more efficient household appliances and industrial processes. õ Increased efficiency of natural gas use will reduce energy costs and reap benefits for the environment. õ Natural gas is relatively clean-burning and emits little sulphur and nitrogen oxide pollution.

õ Natural gas can contribute to global warming if it leaks directly into the atmosphere. Molecule-for-molecule, its main component methane is several times more effective in trapping heat than CO2.

usiNG GReeN poweRwhat is accredited renewable energy?Today, around 90 per cent of electricity generated in Australia still comes from the burning of fossil fuels. The benefit of accredited renewable energy is that it does not burn fossil fuels like coal or natural gas, which add greenhouse gas emissions to our atmosphere and contribute to climate change. The accreditation means that an independent third party ensures these renewable energy products meet a certain standard.

what environmental benefits do accredited renewable energy deliver?For the energy you use, purchasing accredited renewable energy should:õ Cut your greenhouse gas emissions;õ Reduce your contribution to climate change;

power supply

Climate Friendly is pleased to be supporting the hospitality industry to reduce its environmental impact through the Green Table initiative. Our team would like to congratulate the Restaurant & Catering Association on taking a leadership position on climate change and encouraging the wider industry to take part in the program—because after all, we’re all in this together.

Climate Friendly is dedicated to positive, meaningful and real action to rapidly address global climate change. Founded in 2003 by former CSIRO scientist Joel Fleming, Climate Friendly helps individuals and businesses take action to reduce their climate impact.

Under the leadership of CEO Freddy Sharpe, the Climate Friendly team has worked to help its clients offset more than 122,977 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions from homes, businesses, cars, travel and other activities, as well as growing the renewable energy industry.

Climate Friendly purchases only accredited GreenPower and carbon

credits from new, renewable energy projects that meet best practice guidelines like The Gold Standard—the highest standard of emissions credits in Australia and internationally. The credits are sourced from wind farms in Turkey, China, India, New Zealand and Australia to domestic energy efficiency and solar electricity projects. The investment made by our customers is helping make real emission cuts possible.

Climate Friendly boasts high standards in the projects we support and emissions calculation methodology we use. We believe that climate change cannot be solved with band-aid solutions and emphasise the need to take urgent action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in our atmosphere.

We cater to individuals and businesses of all sizes to measure and offset their carbon emissions.

Climate Friendly’s approach is to help individuals and businesses commit to addressing climate change by significantly diminishing the need for power generated from fossil fuels and building capacity for clean, renewable energy. We believe that a thorough approach is required to address the seriousness of climate

change and bring about rapid energy reduction and a swift transition to renewable energy use:õ Measure: Thoroughly calculate your organisation’s carbon footprint and set an emissions reduction benchmark for your business.õ Offset: Address existing emissions through verified renewable energy carbon credits.õ Reduce: Implement energy efficiency measures that decrease your energy consumption and costs.õ Renew: Actively support Australian renewable energy projects by switching to 10, 15, 20, 50 or 100 per cent green power for your business’ energy needs.õ Assess: Track your process by measuring your footprint again.õ Offset: Addressing the need for immediate action by offsetting unavoidable emissions through renewable energy carbon credits.

Some of our clients include Omeros Brothers Seafood Restaurant, Spiral Foods, Kylie Kwong, Splendour in the Grass, Missy Higgins, Tim Flannery, The Worldwide Fund for Nature and the Australian Conservation Foundation. õ For more information on how to do your bit, visit our website at www.climatefriendly.com. n

suppLieR iNFoRMATioN: CLiMATe FRieNDLY


õ Help drive demand for greener energy; andõ Ultimately develop the renewable energy sector, helping it to compete with less costly but more polluting coal and gas-based power generation.

GreenPower is a national government renewable energy accreditation program that organises publicly available independent auditing of energy provider sales and purchase records. Accredited GreenPower products are available from all Australian energy providers. GreenPower is run by the NSW Government and features accreditation standards that include:õ Only accrediting power facilities built after 1997;õ Not allowing the use of native forest wood waste in biomass generators; andõ Banning hydro power generation that involves the redirection of environmental water flows in rivers.

Purchasing accredited GreenPower will cut your emissions, boost your contribution to climate change, drive demand for greener energy and help to develop the renewable energy sector. Non-accredited renewable energy is not audited and so the resulting green claims are therefore untested.

Set in lush tropical gardens nestled around a tranquil pond, bubbling waterfalls, tinkling wind chimes and the sounds of nature, the Spirit House is a delight for all senses.

Award-winning contemporary Asian food, friendly staff and enthusiastic chefs have made the Spirit House a mecca for lovers of all things Asian, and now the pilgrimage shows off environmental best-practice too! The Spirit House food is best described as contemporary Thai cuisine. With two best-selling cookbooks in its brand, and a string of prestigious food awards, the Spirit House has evolved into an iconic food destination.

The menu features fresh ingredients delivered daily to the kitchen door by local growers—ginger, lemongrass, tumeric, chillies and kaffir lime are all grown in the nearby area.

Visitors are attracted to Spirit House because of its unique and diverse environment, and they recognise and understand the importance of incorporating sustainable business practices into operations in order to maintain this appeal.

The Spirit House is set in a sensitive environment amongst five acres of natural bushland and tropical organic gardens. It is the resident home for a variety of possums, frogs, ducks, kingfishers, snakes, tortoises, water dragons, lizards and fish, to name but a few. Owner Helen Brierty says “our home is their home, so we are committed to the conservation and preservation of the native flora

and fauna, wildlife habitat protection and the operation an environmentally sustainable business”.

Driven by a desire to leave an legacy of a non-polluted country for her grandchildren, Helen has focused on saving water through recycling rainwater, installing a sewerage treatment system replaced toilet cisterns with water efficient devices to save of consumption.

Energy use also comes under the microscope with regular checking of seals, turning off all unused equipment and installing energy efficient globes.All cleaning supplies are biodegradable and waste is recycled and streamed wherever possible.

Spirit House is as attractive to the environment as it is to Australia’s foodies, and is at home with its environment and a credit to the Sunshine Coast. n

CAse sTuDY: LooKiNG ouT FoR THe GLobe—THAT’s THe spiRiT!

õ Lighting suppliers: www.yellow.com.au/õ Department of environment & Heritage energy efficiency improvements www.environment.gov.au/settlements/ local/publications/pubs/brochure8.pdfõ energy smart lighting information sheet: www.energysmart.com.au/brochures/ energy_smart_lighting.pdfõ energy efficient lighting information: www.environmentshop.com.auõ Australian Government Department of Climate Change publications: www.greenhouse.gov.au/publications/indexõ Greenpower facts and accredited suppliers: www.greenpower.gov.au/

FiND ouT MoRe!

There are a number of small changes that should be implemented to comply with the water saving component of Green Table. There are also a number of checks that businesses should implement into daily management procedures that will ensure the operation is saving water wherever possible.

FACTS:õ One leaking tap usually drips about once per second and waste more than four litres of water per day, or some 1,544 litres a year. õ A four-star toilet saves on average 1000-1500 litres of water per year.õ Replacing an 11-litre single-flush toilet with a six-litre dual-flush unit will save around $185 per year.õ A five-star front-loading washing machine uses about 50 litres of water per wash, compared to 140 litres per wash for a one-star top-loader.

WHAT IS WELS?WELS is Australia’s water efficiency labelling scheme that requires certain products to be registered and labelled with their water efficiency in accordance with the standard set under the national Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards Act 2005.The WELS Scheme excludes second-hand products and those imported into Australia for personal use.Some of the water-saving WELS products include:õ Showers;õ Tap equipment;õ Flow controllers;õ Toilet and urinal equipment; õ Washing machines; and õ Dishwashers

LOOK FOR THE LABELThe WELS water-efficiency rating label looks similar to the energy rating label that washing machines and dishwashers must also carry. The WELS label replaces the water conservation rating ‘AAAAA’ label endorsed by the Water Services Association of Australia.

The WELS rating label provides water efficiency information for water-using products. It allows consumers to compare products and rewards retailers that stock water-efficient models.The label shows:õ A zero- to six-star rating that allows a quick comparative assessment of water efficiency. The more stars on the label the more water efficient the product. õ A figure showing the water consumption flow of the product based on laboratory tests.

Information about the WELS label is available to help manufacturers, importers, retailers and wholesalers prepare their labels.

REBATESRebates may be offered on some WELS-rated products. Contact your local water authority or local council for information. WELS does not rebate products covered under its own scheme—it only rates them for water efficiency.The WELS website, www.waterrating.gov.au, provides more information about water efficiency and lists products that have been assessed under the program.

H20

Water saving


õ Install water-efficient taps in all outlets, including showers.õ Install dual-flushing toilets or dual-flush cistern valves in toilets.õ Reduce water usage by adhering to general water-saving guidelines.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS


Red Scooter in Melbourne has become the industry pin-up for environmental practice in the hospitality industry. This chic and functional reception centre in St Kilda is at the leading edge of almost everything, but when it comes to servicing the environment they really are number one!

Last year Red Scooter was written up in Restaurant & Catering Australia magazine for their part in leading the way in energy conservation. In the article Bright Sparks, Red Scooter were profiled for their work on an initiative with the local council and the Victorian government.

This initiative involved using energy saving globes, lights that turn themselves off when not in use and other energy saving devices that do not limit the standard of service their customers receive.

At the same time, Red Scooter has driven savings through reducing their water consumption, installing aerators on taps and high-pressure nozzles for washing bins and mats have all reduced the water consumption and saved money on water rates.

They also use gas as much as possible, with gas stoves, ovens, grills and fryers and turn off pilot lights when the equipment is not in use. Glass washers are rated water efficient models that ensure the ultimate in hygiene without the cost on the environment.

Owner of the business, Eammon Hamilton says that at Red Scooter they are ‘tough on waste’ and that the ‘only thing they don’t recycle are ideas!’. They enthusiastically recycle oil, cardboard, corks, glass and plastic and of course grease trap stops grease and organics entering the sewerage system.

Supplies are also not only recycled at the end of their life but start recycled with copying paper, serviettes (cocktail napkins) and toner cartridges all made of recycled product. Other disposables like paper towels and toilet paper are recycled product as well.

If not for their awesome reputation, given its small environmental footprint it is surprising that you might not notice Red Scooter at all.

Fortunately, they are one of the brightest sparks in the business and a leading light in Victoria.

They are in business for the long long long term! n

CASE STUdy: BRIgHT SpARKS ARE AT IT AgAIN


H20

CHANgES THAT SHOULd BE IMpLEMENTEd TO COMpLy WITH THE BEST

pRACTICE WATER-SAvINg COMpONENT OF gREEN TABLE AUSTRALIA.

WATER USE EFFICIENCy BENCHMARK

Taps ° Turn off taps when not in use.° Fix leaking taps.° Install water-efficient, low-flow taps.

Dishwasher ° Scrape off dishes instead of rinsing them before washing. ° Install a water-efficient dishwasher.° Only run the dishwasher when it is full.

Toilets ° Convert toilets to dual-flush units.° Fix cisterns that run water between flushes.° Ensure urinals are water-efficient.

Pipes ° Ensure all pipes are sealed properly.° Fix leaks quickly—have your plumber’s contact details easy to find.° Use the minimum water pressure needed for your workplace to function efficiently.° Insulate hot water pipes to reduce wasted water and energy.

Air-conditioning ° Set temperature no lower than 23.5 degrees to save energy and water use.° Insulate the ceiling to reduce temperature loss and also the amount of water required to run through the cooling tower.

Shower ° Always spend less than four minutes in the shower.° Fix all shower roses and taps that drip. ° Install accredited water-efficient shower roses in showers.

Washing machine

° Only wash with a full load.° Install a water-efficient washing machine.

Gardens ° Water only within appropriate restrictions.° Install a rainwater tank if possible.° Landscape using drought-tolerant plants, which need less water.° Mulch garden with organic material like pea straw or leaf litter to retain moisture.


NOTES TO TABLE AT LEFT:a. A water-efficient tap is one with a minimum three-star rating under the Australian Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards Scheme. It can also refer to a tap that has a maximum flow-rate of nine litres per minute. b. Dishwashers can use between eight and 28 litres a load—make sure yours is on the efficient side. c. A water-efficient toilet is one with a three-star rating or more under the Australian Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards Scheme, or, for an existing premise, refers to a toilet with a one-star rating or better under the Australian Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards Scheme. Water-efficient urinals are a combination of a wall unit and controlled flushing mechanism that:õ Is rated four-star or more under the scheme; õ Flushes no more than 1.5 litres per stall õ Has no more than 600 millimetres of continuous wall that is initiated automatically or triggered by user presence with the ability to delay flush initiation by time or triggers; õ Has no more than 1.5 litres per stall or 600 millimetres of continuous wall activated by cord, chain, button or other control; õ Features a maximum daily water use of 10 litres per stall, or 600 mm of continuous wall.

d. Wherever practical, set air-conditioning thermostats to no lower than 24 degrees. You will not only save in the amount of water used in the actual air-conditioning, you will also save water used in power stations. About three million litres of water every year is used to supply the electricity to cool an average 10-storey office building.e. A water-efficient shower head is one that has a minimum three-star rating under the Australian Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards Scheme, or a shower head that has a maximum flow-rate of nine litres per minute.f. Water-efficient washing machines are those that feature a four-star rating or better under the Australian Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards Scheme.

WHAT ELSE CAN yOU dO?Apart from reducing water wastage by installing efficient appliances and fixing leaks or uninsulated pipes, there’s more you can do to save water in your business. Some of the additional changes can be implemented to reduce their water use include:õ Changing to waterless wok stoves, which could save as much as $4,500 every year on associated costs;õ Replacing traditional tap fittings with more modern sensor-operated versions, or even knee-controlled devices; andõ Installing newer, more efficient dishwashers with a water-efficiency rating.

õ Water Saving Suppliers: www.yellow.com.auõ Sydney Water fact sheets, case studies and additional information Visit www.sydneywater.com.au/SavingWater/ InYourBusiness/FactSheets.cfmõ RCQ water opportunities for saving water in the food service industry: www.qwc.qld.gov.au/myfiles/uploads/wemp/ Food_Services_241106.pdf õ WaterReuse Foundation: www.watereuse.org/index.html õ Water Education Foundation www.water-ed.org/kids.asp õ Refilling the Glass, Exploring the issues around water recycling in Australia, Water Services Association of Australia position paper: www.wsaa.asn.au/frameset2.htmlõ Water—who is in charge: Visit www.warren.usyd.edu.au/bulletin/NO47/ ed47art1.htmõ Sydney Water: wwww.sydneywater.com.au õ Queensland Water Commission www.qwc.qld.gov.au õ Water For Ever www.waterforever.com.au õ Water for Life www.waterforlife.nsw.gov.au õ Australian Conservation Foundation — Greenhome Water: www.acfonline.org.au/default.asp?section id=90 õ Save the rain: www.savetherain.info õ Water For A Healthy Country report: www.cmis.csiro.au/healthycountry/Urban/ Communities/index.htm õ National guidelines for water recycling: Visit www.ephc.gov.au:80/ephc/water_ recycling.html õ Water Crisis—ask an expert: www.abc.net.au/science/expert/realexpert/ watercrisis/õ Water information resource: www.abc.net.au/water/õ Water in Australia: Facts & Figures, Myths & Ideas: Visit www.awa.asn.au/Content/ NavigationMenu2/MediaandPublicatons/ Publications/WaterinAustralia/default.htmõ victorian Water—Sustainability information: Visit www.vicwater.org.au/sustainability õ H2O Today—water, sustainability and the environment information: Visit www.h2otoday.com.au

LINKS:

For peace of mind ‘cooking oil recycling’ contact AuscolToll Free 1800 629 476

“The Right Way”As specialists in the environmentally responsible collection and recycling of used cooking oils and fats for over 40 years, Auscol can proudly claim to be “The Right Way” to dispose of Used Cooking Oils and Fats.

“The Right Way” for ServiceWith 10 purpose built vehicles, 6 processing facilities, a national database and offices in each state Auscol is perfectly situated to provide the service you require.

“The Right Way” for SafetyThe Auscol bulk tank system reduces the risk of manual handling and burns injuries by eliminating the need to transport oil in heavy open top pails. Auscol tank systems are safer, cleaner and more environmentally friendly.

“The Right Way” for the EnvironmentThe Auscol service prevents thousands of tonnes of used fats from contaminating landfill, polluting our waterways or choking up our sewer system.

“The Right Way” for Recycled OilsThe Auscol service is designed to give you the peace of mind that you are disposing of your used cooking oils and fats in the most environmentally responsible manner available today. The Auscol recycling process is quality assured with HACCP accreditation principles and compliant with the Australian Renderers Association’s Code of Practice. Auscol is fully EPA licensed.

“The Right Way” to recycle cooking oil

AUSCOL PTY LTD ABN 33 000 863 730A subsidiary of Gardner Smith (Holdings) Pty LimitedLevel 13, 61 Lavender Street, Milsons Point, NSW 2061 www.auscol.com

The Oil Kaddy System – safer, cleaner and more efficient.

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Businesses should use products and supplies that are non-toxic, biodegradable, recycled and recyclable, thus having minimal impact on the environment.Products that are recycled and/or biodegradable include:õ Tissues;õ Serviettes;õ Toilet paper;õ Specific shopping bags;õ Disposable utensils;õ Coffee cups;õ Take-away containers; andõ Certain cleaning chemicals.

What does biodegradable mean?A biodegradable product can break down or dissolve easily in the environment without destroying nature. It’s the opposite of plastic and Styrofoam, which cannot be broken down. If everything was biodegradable, our world would be extremely clean! Unfortunately, products that are biodegradable are not widely used.

Aim to choose products according to the time it takes them to break down in the natural environment.

Here’s a guide of the biodegradability of some commonly used products, based on the time it takes them to break down: Paper……………………….. 2-5 months String……………………….. 3-14 months Orange peels………...……. 6 months Plastic bags……………….. 10-20 years Leather shoes…....……….. 25-40 years Tin cans…………………….. 50-100 years Glass bottles…….………… One million years Plastic bottles……………… Forever

Biodegradability doesn’t guarantee safetyOf course, just because a product or ingredient is biodegradable does not mean it is healthy or safe for people or the environment. For example, the toxic pesticide DDT biodegrades to the compounds DDD and DDE, both of which are more toxic and more dangerous than the original DDT material.

Consumers with questions about what qualifies a given product to carry a biodegradable label should contact the manufacturer or supplier directly.

products


Watermark is a sleek and stylish beachside restaurant with a majestic location, enjoying views over Balmoral Beach and across Sydney Harbour to Manly and North Head. Since opening in 1993, Watermark Restaurant has been the proud recipient of many industry accolades, earning multiple awards for its menu, service and extensive wine list. Management and staff are dedicated to providing great food, great service and great value as it continually strives to maintain its position as one of Sydney’s finest restaurants.

Their commitment to cuisine excellence is matched by their commitment to the environment. The processes at Watermark have yielded some real cost savings for the business and show that in many cases just doing the simple things really do make a difference.

Installing trigger taps in wash-up areas and having a regular maintenance program in other wet areas have significantly cut water use. Whilst Watermark admits that the installation of some of these pieces of equipment have a significant upfront cost, they claim savings overall and know there will be even greater benefits in years to come.

Watermark has added a bottle crusher to their waste streaming to reduce the space in their waste footprint in the Mosman Council area. In a suburban area like this, the Council has been of assistance in providing Green Waste Recycling facilities to make it easier and cheaper for businesses to reduce their waste going to landfill.

Watermark is another example of a smaller fine dining restaurant doing the right thing for our future. n

CASE STUDY: WATERMARK—MAKING ITS MARK IN ENERGY SAVINGS

õ Always use biodegradable and non-toxic cleaning products.õ Use products that can be recycled and are biodegradable wherever possible.õ Use products that are made from recycled materials wherever possible.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Biodegradable supplies

For peace of mind ‘cooking oil recycling’ contact AuscolToll Free 1800 629 476

“The Right Way”As specialists in the environmentally responsible collection and recycling of used cooking oils and fats for over 40 years, Auscol can proudly claim to be “The Right Way” to dispose of Used Cooking Oils and Fats.

“The Right Way” for ServiceWith 10 purpose built vehicles, 6 processing facilities, a national database and offices in each state Auscol is perfectly situated to provide the service you require.

“The Right Way” for SafetyThe Auscol bulk tank system reduces the risk of manual handling and burns injuries by eliminating the need to transport oil in heavy open top pails. Auscol tank systems are safer, cleaner and more environmentally friendly.

“The Right Way” for the EnvironmentThe Auscol service prevents thousands of tonnes of used fats from contaminating landfill, polluting our waterways or choking up our sewer system.

“The Right Way” for Recycled OilsThe Auscol service is designed to give you the peace of mind that you are disposing of your used cooking oils and fats in the most environmentally responsible manner available today. The Auscol recycling process is quality assured with HACCP accreditation principles and compliant with the Australian Renderers Association’s Code of Practice. Auscol is fully EPA licensed.

“The Right Way” to recycle cooking oil

AUSCOL PTY LTD ABN 33 000 863 730A subsidiary of Gardner Smith (Holdings) Pty LimitedLevel 13, 61 Lavender Street, Milsons Point, NSW 2061 www.auscol.com

The Oil Kaddy System – safer, cleaner and more efficient.

8433G02_Auscol_Ad_D1.indd 1 17/7/08 10:31:02 AM


Why is it important?Choosing cleaning chemicals that are non-toxic for humans and the environment can be a complex purchasing decision. One of the key elements that purchasers tend to look for is the word ‘biodegradable’ on the packaging, but this means very little unless the product is “readily biodegradable” in compliance with the Australian Standard AS4351 or equivalent international standards OECD 301A-301E or ISO 7827.

This standard requires that at least 70 per cent of the total ingredients of a product must be proven (by a certified testing laboratory) to biodegrade within 28 days to make be truly “readily biodegradable”.

If a supplier makes the generic claim that their product is biodegradable, there is no way of confirming which definition of biodegradability they are claiming their product conforms to. For instance, their own standard could be that two per cent of the product biodegrades within 50 years, which clearly is not “readily biodegradable”. The manufacturer may not have had any component of their product officially tested for biodegradability.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) can only prove a manufacturer has made a false claim if they have listed their product as being “readily biodegradabile” according to one of the above standards and cannot produce any laboratory evidence to back up the claim.

If a product has been through biodegradability testing, is it environmentally friendly?If a manufacturer claims their finished product is “readily biodegradable” as per the AS4351 standard, then the whole product has been tested and found to be environmentally friendly.

However, it is worth noting that manufacturers only have to declare one ingredient (commonly the surfactant, or surface-active agent) in their product is readily biodegradable as per AS4351. Single ingredients can be tested and labelled even if they comprise as little as five per cent of the finished product. Therefore, it is important to look for ready biodegradability on the whole product. Even if a product is readily biodegradable, this does not mean it won’t have environmental or human health impacts. For example, a washing powder high in mineral salts can cause soil salination and hamper water recycling efforts. Similarly, chlorine dioxide (an elemental gas) commonly used in cleaning products is extremely hazardous to ecosystems in some concentrations.

More information on chlorine dioxide can be found in the Australian Government National Pollutant Inventory at www.npi.gov.au/index.html.

How else can you tell a product is low-harm?Product Material Safety Datasheets (MSDS) are required by law to declare if a product is classified as a dangerous good, hazardous, or is a scheduled poison.

These categories relate to immediate physical risks such as flammability, explosiveness, rapid poisoning from ingestion, and some long-terms risks such as carcinogenic factors. However, MSDS sheets are not required by law to take into account the latest research on reproductive toxins and ecological toxins.

The Australian Safety and Compensation Council website outlines a national code of practice on the preparation of MSDS sheets. These guidelines promote a 16-header MSDS system, including a ‘Section 11’ for toxiciological information and ‘Section 12’ for ecological information. However, there are varying legal requirements for MSDS sheets in each state and territory, which makes their interpretation difficult for consumers. Until more uniform guidelines are introduced, you should look for section 11 and section 12 compliance as a minimum. In this case, consumers can be satisfied that the product is non-toxic and not harmful to the environment.

If you want to know if a product is suitable for greywater use or has low ecological toxicity, look for labelling that includes verification from a soil and water laboratory. Additionally, if consumers want to confirm that a product doesn’t contain suspected carcinogens or reproductive toxins, it is useful to check the ingredients list against recognised international government listings such as those specified by the EU or the international Human Toxome Project (HTP).

You can obtain a copy of the project list at the HTP website. Visit www.ewg.org/sites/humantoxome.

products

EcoLogic Solutions’ sole purpose is to introduce the safest, effective and cost-competitive cleaning products to mass consumers. Through mass-use of safer options, there is a compound, beneficial impact upon the health of the end-user and immediate environment. All of their resources are committed to sustainable development and the selling of fully non-hazardous, non-toxic and non-polluting formulas.

EcoLogic Solutions’ (ELS) primary concerns are workers’ safety and the environment. ELS realises that, in order to have success, the products must be effective. Many of these products save operations chemical and employee compensation expenses, and out-perform the more toxic standard.

ELS is a full-service manufacturer and distributor that offers more than 100 products for many industries, while focusing on three programs: building maintenance, hospitality and food service.

Using ELS, one can be assured of getting the most effective and documented Environmentally Preferable Products available in the marketplace. n

SUPPLIER INFORMATION: ECO-LOGIC SOLUTIONS


What recycled products are available?There is a wide range of products made from genuine recycled materials.

Almost all industries have some environmentally products available, but some of the more commonly recognised recycled products can be found in the following categories:õ Animal care products;õ Building products; õ Clothing and textiles; õ Packaging products; õ Furniture;õ Garden and landscape products; õ Industrial products;õ Paper products; õ Office products; õ Recycling and waste management products; õ Road and pavement products; õ Traffic management products;õ Sport and recreational products; and õ Water, sewerage and drainage products.

Available products and suppliesThere are a number of companies that supply products in these key categories. Look for the following brands:Ecologic Solutionsõ Degreasers, odour and stain treatments, tile and grout cleaners, range of cleanersEco-Safe-Pakõ Eco-friendly disposable tableware and plastic packaging products.Environmental Productsõ Go to www.yellow.com.au.BioBin Technologiesõ Compost bins and supplies.Bio Futureõ Bio-Film bags, biodegradable, compostable bags.EBA Bio Productsõ Disposable bio-platesõ Microfibre cleaning clothsROX Water Electroliser õ Electrolyzed water is the result of a combination of tap water, salt and electricity. These elements combined produce one of the most effective means

Fosters Australia has created a Green Beer—Cascade Green. Cascade Green promises to offset all the greenhouse gas emissions associated with the production of the beer throughout the product’s life cycle, from picking the hops to delivering to hotels to the brand’s advertising.

Over the next year Foster’s, which estimates each case of beer generates 15 kilograms of carbon dioxide during its lifetime, will spend $150,000 in offsets.

All remaining greenhouse gas emissions from Cascade Green are offset. That means, from the moment they source the hops from the lush Tasmanian wilderness, through to when the empty bottles are placed in the recycling bin, every single carbon emission has been accounted for.

Only local Tasmanian ingredients are used and the transport associated with these is offset. Bio-degradable vegetable oil based inks are used for the

packaging, and the carton is 100% recyclable.

Having said all that, whether it’s green or not, it should taste great, and Foster’s were not going to compromise on that. Hops, malt and with barley all grown in the pristine Tasmanian wilderness, Cascade Green is a full-flavoured, preservative free, low carb, refreshing lager.

Cascade Green is a 100 per cent carbon offset beer that has achieved Australian Government Greenhouse Friendly certification and is among only a handful of products approved under the Greenhouse FriendlyTM Program (GFP). As part of this rigorous accreditation process, Cascade Green has undergone an extensive Lifecycle Analysis, which has been independently verified by DNV* and SMEC* and also has an Emissions Monitoring Plan in place to meet the ongoing commitments required of GFP members. (*Det Norske

Veritas and Snowy Mountains Engineering Corporation).

After first reducing their carbon footprint, they offset the full lifecycle of the greenhouse gas emissions associated with the production of the beer—right from picking the hops to putting it in the recycling bin. Meaning the net impact of the greenhouse gas emissions for Cascade Green is reduced to zero.

Cascade Green is also one step in a bigger journey for the Cascade Brewery, which has been implementing an environmental sustainability program for over a decade, including reductions in water usage by 30 per cent per unit of production and total reductions in greenhouse gas emissions by 16 per cent per unit of production over the last six years.

To stock the eco-friendly Cascade Green in your business, contact your local representative or visit the website. n

SUPPLIER INFORMATION: CASCADE GREEN


of cleaning. It significantly lowers the presence of microorganisms, pathogens, and viruses, and has been proven effective at removing bacteria. With a combination of alkaline and acidic water, food-related items can be washed or sanitised without chemicals.

Next stepsOf course, there are some additional steps you can take to further reduce your impact on the environment. These simple steps can be incorporated into the everyday operation of your business.õ Purchase produce that has been grown or made

within a 200km radius of your businessõ Provide left-over food to social support groups who then distribute it to disadvantaged people.õ Do not serve fish species that are endangered.õ Offer more sustainable kangaroo and chicken dishes. õ Increase purchasing of certified organic produce and Fair Trade items by 10 per cent each year.õ Use a grease and oil removal company that recycles used cooking oil and returns it to the community in the form of reconstituted products, BioDiesel, garden mulch and animal feed instead of further contributing it to general waste.

products

The business and consumer focus on green products and services has never been greater in the marketplace and will only continue to grow. As the concerns over climate change and environmental issues increase, people are become progressively more aware that their purchasing decisions need to be to be educated, measured and cost effective.

Yet in today’s competitive market, almost every company and business claims to be eco conscious, environmentally aware, sustainably responsible or planet friendly. So how does the discerning buyer ever expect to navigate the ever increasing maze of green wash and advertising rhetoric, without a Masters degree in the environment or a Doctorate in marketing?

There are some key components for the discerning buyer to consider when looking for eco friendly products. Green goods are internationally categorised as being those that are less detrimental to the environment (and humans) than similar products achieving the same purpose. Green merchandise can be divided into six main areas: recycled content, greenhouse friendly, water saving, energy efficient, low-toxicity and

fuel efficient. To be recognised as a truly environmentally sustainable product, goods need to fall under the umbrella of at least one or more of these categories.

Yet while considered green purchasing is a good starting point for business, a more holistic approach to sustainability is necessary to truly begin to make a difference. Often small and simplistic changes in behaviour and procedure can make significant in roads to environmentally responsible operation. Businesses and individuals need to introduce the three R’s into their thinking: Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. Adopting these principles into everyday practice can significantly alter a business’s ecological footprint and help save in operational costs. Using washable coffee cups, reusing office paper products and creating a diligent recycling ethic within the company are some simple yet effective examples of behavioural change in the workplace that can help to attain a sustainable goal. Even a discerning eye cast over business practices can often glean surprising results.

So how does a business keep up with the latest trends? How

do individuals know that the conscious choices they make are in fact sound sustainable practice? Up to date information allows one to make educated company decisions, but modern businesses have no time to go trolling the internet or scanning every new piece of information that comes of age. EcoVoice (www.ecovoice.com.au) is one of Australia’s most widely read and highly regarded free environmental e-magazines. It helps individuals keep abreast of the latest news surrounding the environment. It has an ever increasing database of over 21,000 subscribers that come from a broad spectrum of society, and articles are sourced from a recognised and wide-reaching academic pool.

As well as receiving EcoVoice, businesses and individuals can now do all their green purchasing on line through Carbon Market (www.carbonmarket.com.au)— a new green directory for eco-friendly goods and services. It covers numerous categories and topics and offers the consumer an excellent portal into the green market place. Together these two resources can help companies make more sustainable and informed business choices. n

SUPPLIER INFORMATION: CARBON MARKET & ECO VOICE

Clean without CompromiseTo the environment... To your business... To your customers & staff

...fo r l i v i n gh e a l t h y

Introducing Healthe Clean, world leaders in environmentallypreferable cleaning products and services.

Our sole purpose is to deliver the safest, most effective & cost-competitive green cleaning products to consumer operations. We offer a

comprehensive range of non-toxic, non-hazardous and non-polluting DeepGreen™ cleaning technologies.

Our primary concerns are workers' safety, customers' health & theenvironment.

• The average person uses cleaning chemicals that produce nearly 27kg ofhazardous waste per year;

• Major studies have shown that 1 out of 3 cleaning products can causecancer, reproductive disorders, blindness or skin irritation. More thanhalf can cause blindness, skin damage & scars or damage the blood,liver, kidneys, & nervous system;

• Current Workers' Compensation studies show about 6 out of100 custodians are injured on the job. The average reportedinjury costs companies $725 in lost time & medical expenses.Hotel & motel workers are up to 9 times more likely toreceive a chemical exposure related injury.

Why take the risk when you can choose our hospital-standard health prevention cleaning products & serviceswithout compromising yourself or the environment.

We are also the only cleaning product & services company chosen for the Restaurant &Catering Association of Australia's Green Table Initiative.

Speak to one of our specialist team today for an appraisal of yourneeds & an obligation-free quote.

Telephone: 1300 85 1234 www.healtheclean.com.au

Did you know?

Scary, isn’t it?

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Green Table issue 1

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Transcript of Green Table issue 1