Sustainable Retailing Resource Centre
The National Retail Association is dedicated to educating retailers on the environmental and economic benefits of improved environmental performance. We are committed to encouraging retailers to implement environmentally sustainable practices within their business and reduce their use of energy, water and waste in order to increase profitability whilst caring for our environment.
Energy prices are getting higher each year, with prices expected to increase by 10% by June 2012. For most retailers up to 20% of their energy bill is due to heating and cooling, however there are simple things you can do to reduce this. The resources found below detail ways you can significantly reduce your resource costs.
Sustainable Retail Stores
Click here for a fact sheet to broaden your environmental awareness and provide you with eco-efficiency tips to implement in your retail store.
Click here to become a ClimateSmart Retail Partner
Sustainable Cafes
Click here for a fact sheet to broaden your environmental awareness and provide you with eco-efficiency tips to implement in your cafe.
Sustainable Offices
Click here for a fact sheet to broaden your environmental awareness and provide you with eco-efficiency tips to implement in your office.
Sustainability Case Studies
The Good Guys Capalaba
Queens Plaza - Colonial First State Property Management
Sustainability Events
Date: 21 March 2012
Location: The Hub, 4 Hasking Street, Caboolture
Time: 9am - 12.30pm
Cost: $20 earlybird registration (until 14 March), $40 after this date, $60 exhibitors
Register: www.derm.qld.gov.au/qwestnet
Click here for more information
Waterwise in the Workplace
Workplaces account for around 20 per cent of Queensland’s urban water use.
Regardless of which business you are in, you can play a part in helping to conserve water and secure Queensland’s water future.
Using water efficiently makes good business sense. Workplaces that reduce their water use often find they also save money in wastewater and energy costs.
• Access resources for business sectors to help your business become more water efficient.
• Find out about water efficiency management plans (WEMPS).
• Use the Six Steps to Workplace Water Efficiency to analyse and reduce your water use.
• Be inspired by case studies about what other Queensland businesses are doing.
• Read the top water saving tips from Queensland businesses.
• Get staff involved in making your business more water efficient.
• Find out what it means to work toward a water sensitive future.
Click here for more information
Carbon Tax for Small Business
The Government will help small businesses by increasing the instant asset write off for any new asset that is worth up to $6,500 for businesses that upgrade their equipment. The Government will also, improve advice to small business on energy efficiency opportunities and increase the funding for business programs that assist small and medium businesses in the clean technology industries.
Click here for Carbon Tax Factsheet for Small Business.
reThink Waste - Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
Waste reforms are being introduced that will change the way Queensland manages commercial, industrial,
construction and demolition waste. The Queensland Government wants to:
• reduce waste
• increase recycling rates
• boost industry investment in recycling and
resource recovery
• develop markets for recycled materials
• encourage ‘green’ jobs in recycling and
reprocessing industries.
Thirty-four local government areas make up the levy zone. Click here for a map.
Click here for a factsheet on the upcoming waste reforms.
Click here for reThink Business Waste Frequently Asked Questions.
Click here to register to receive future waste updates, as well as information on upcoming information seminars and business support programs..
Australian Environment Departments
Queensland - Department of Environment and Resource Management
New South Wales - Office of Environment and Heritage
Victoria - Sustainability Victoria
Australian Capital Territory - Department of the Environment, Climate Change, Energy and Water
South Australia - Department of Environment and Natural Resources
Western Australia - Department of Environment and Conservation
Northern Territory - Department of Natural Resources, Environment, The Arts and Sport
Tasmania - Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment
What NRA Members Are Doing
Target
Target's vision is to be recognised and applauded for its respect for the environment by their team, partners and the community.
Click here to view Target's Environmental Policy
Click here to find out more about Target's Think Climate Initiative
Click here to find out more about Target's Bag Policy
Woolworths
Woolworths Supermarket minimises energy use and maintenance costs by minimising air conditioning use, using energy efficient lighting as well as a number of refrigeration initiatives including nightblinds and sensor lights.
To minimise water wastage, all sinks are fitted with low flow taps and energy efficient toilets have been installed. In-store spills are cleaned with a dry absorbent fibre (which is like sand) rather than using water.
Flooring containing 20% recycled material has been installed, and plastic bag recycling bins at located in each store. Cardboard is compacted and recycled. Woolworths Supermarkets and distribution centres recycle more than 150,000 tonnes of cardboard and paper, and more than 5,000 tonnes of recyclable plastic each year. Animal fat and bones are collected during the meat processing and used for the production of render, bio-diesel and fertilisers depending on the suitability of the material. Green waste is offered to farmers and local zoos to be used as animal feed or fertiliser.
Woolworths offer and encourage plastic bag alternatives as well as mobile phone recycling and certified sustainable canned tuna and salmon. They also provide employees with training and support on sustainability issues.
Click here to find out more about how Woolworths are minimising their impact on the environment
The Body Shop
The Body Shop are conducting refits in many of their stores to improve energy efficiency, training their store staff on energy awareness, reducing air travel and converting their car fleet to more energy efficient models. They source renewable energy whereever possible to run their stores, warehouses and offices. They have introduced plastic bottles made from 100% recycled materials and replaced all carrier bags with 100% recylced and recyclable paper bags.
Click here to find out more about how The Body Shop are minimising their impact on the environment
Click here to find out more about how The Body Shop ensure their products and ingredients are responsibly sourced
