Auckland Climate Plan Goals related to office based businesses
The following are current legislation or Auckland Council Climate Plan goals of relevance to Office based industries.
Already Banned
2022 - PVC food trays & containers, all polystyrene takeaway food & drink packaging, plastic drink stirrers, plastic cotton buds,
2023 - Plastic produce bags, plastic plates, bowls, cutlery and straws, plastic produce labels (like fruit stickers)
Incoming Ban 2025
All other PVC and polystyrene food and drink packaging
2030 Aims
Ban single-use coffee cups
Ban single-use wet wipes
Paper/cardboard waste reduced by 30% and 30% of the remaining waste recycled
Retrofit 50% of existing and commercial buildings to a high standard of energy efficiency
Replace 75% of gas heaters in existing commercial buildings with electric heat pumps
Replace 50% of gas water heaters in existing commercial buildings with electric heat pump water heaters
Issues facing the Industries
Office based businesses
Office recycling and bins
Washroom toilet paper, towels, etc
Food scrap waste from staff and client entertaining
Print and paper waste
Unnecessary giveaway products in promotions
Kitchen and bathroom cleaning
Office lighting
Soft plastic use (eg in packaging)
Heat pumps and air conditioning
Travel to and from office premises
Depending on business type, product packaging and/or non-recyclable delivered items
Other more specific business type issues
Solutions/Ideas/Links
HCZW undertake a waste audit to break down what your current waste consists of
Reduce paper waste by using both sides for client notes or make notes by ipad
Recycle balance of paper (eg use TIMG)
Shred paper and put in compost or use for packaging - ensure staff awareness
Email paperless eftpos receipts to clients
Digitize documents for minimal print
If your office deals in any metal based items, separate out to send to the scrap meta works in Silverdale
Put reminder stickers on bins for staff awareness and action
Source ethical and local gifts for clients/staff
Ensure equipment is eco efficient (eg fridge)
Collect compostables and take home or deliver to HCZW
Buy and use cups from second hand stores and use sugar bowls not sugar sachets
Offer Keep Cup opportunities to staff and make a deal with your local cafes to benefit both of you
Separate coffee grinds, teabags, food scraps
Separate soft plastics
Put your ventilation on a timer to go off at night
Changed light bulbs to LED - also saves power costs
Use enviro friendly capsules for cleaning spray and wipe or refill
Use Enjo microfibre cloths for cleaning (use just water no products)
Source kitchen and washroom products from an environmentally friendly service (se can provide a list of local options for you)
Donate magazines (if you have a waiting room) to hospice/op shops
Don’t run the tap continuously when washing or cleaning
In warmer seasons open the doors instead of using the air conditioner
Join a share scheme around pick up/drop off of certain products to save time, money and petrol
Encourage staff car pooling, use of public transport or biking/walking to work
Measure your carbon footprint and explore off-setting options, HCZW can assist with this.
Links
Cleaning
https://everdaily.co/ - Concentrated formulas that you dilute with water at home to refill the product you need when you need it, providing you household products that are more minimal and affordable.
https://cleanery.co.nz/ - Your low waste cleaning & personal care products come as a powder that dissolves in water at home to create an ultra-effective clean. Available at Whangaparaoa Recycling Centre, sachets for refill and can go in soft plastic.
https://insinc.co.nz - Local business offering eco friendly cleaning products and office/catering
Recently introduced through J A Russell in Silverdale supplies
Consider different educational posters to put up around premises
https://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/rubbish-recycling/rubbish-recycling-collections/Documents/recycling-made-easy.pdf - Current Recycling Information poster from Auckland Council. Doesn’t outline some items or materials.
Enjo Microfibre cloths - Can buy in bundles – last for up to 3 years can then send back for recycling. You do not need any chemicals or products for use with the cloths. The raw materials of the cloths have been selected so they are able to be engineered to clean effectively without the need for any chemical cleaning products. The emissions generated to produce the cloths are off-set with reforestation projects. The ENJOtex Fibre is designed to lift and trap dirt in the fibre eliminating the need to use chemicals. https://shop.enjo.co.nz/
Whangaparaoa Recycling Centre / Hibiscus Coast Zero Waste is going to make a poster for businesses - What we can take.
Waste
Looking at sustainable options for offices such as TIMG who are committed to sustainable practices and to ensuring our impact on the environment is minimised - https://timg.co.nz/
Light Bulb options
Philips has developed an Ultra Efficient light bulb that uses new technology to cut carbon emissions, reduce material waste, and lower energy usage. With an amazing 50,000 hour lifetime it lasts more than 3 times longer than the Philips LED bulb equivalents — and uses up to 60% less energy *, just what is needed for a more sustainable planet.
General Sustainability
Sustainable Business Network Free Self Assessment Tool
https://sustainable.org.nz/docket/sustainability-self-assessment/
Carbon Assessments and offsetting
Carbon footprint assessment tool for businesses & offsetting options
https://carbonclick.com/business/
Carbon footprint assessment tool for businesses & offsetting options
https://www.toitu.co.nz/what-we-offer/carbon-management
Responsible Banking & Investing
Mindful Money is a charity that promotes ethical investment via their tool that checks what funds and types of investments Kiwisavers and investment funds are putting money in to.
Clean Power
Canstar Blue - A summary of power companies and if they use renewable sources
https://www.canstarblue.co.nz/energy/green-power-nz/
NZ Compare - a guide to renewable power companies in New Zealand
https://www.nzcompare.com/n/power/the-future-of-renewable-energy-nz
Light Force - Solar providers, modular and hybrid grid systems available