SUMMARY OF SOLUTIONS IDEAS AND LINKS

Actions – suitable for all businesses

  1. Encourage working from home or incentivize office carpooling, taking the bus, walking and biking.

  2. Have a go at measuring your office carbon footprint on this free, on-line, government site: www.tools.business.govt.nz/climate/ or get a member of Hibiscus Coast Zero Waste to come and work through the process with you -

    • How the Climate Action Toolbox works -

      • Find key areas where you can reduce emissions and learn from other businesses taking action.

      • Measure the carbon footprint of your business. Set a target and track progress over time.

      • Get started on your step-by-step plan to reduce emissions. Boost your reputation while building for the future.

  3. Request a free waste audit to work out what can be recycled and where with Hibiscus Coast Zero Waste. This is an easy way to find out more about what you can do with your business waste. An expert will come in, analyse your waste, and report back with recommendations. To organise, call Betsy on 021 0826 8196.

  4. Invest in smart power strips that automatically that turn off standby mode - it’s amazing how much power a simple action like this can save over time! You can purchase these from the Smart Home Shop or outlets such as Bunnings, JB Hi-Fi, etc.

  5. Put ventilation systems on a timer to go off at night – again you can do this with a smart power strip or plug.

  6. Install motion-activated light switches. More info: Ecopoint.co.nz and you can purchase these at outlets such as Bunnings.

  7. Change light bulbs to LED to save power and money. Light bulbs: 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 *. Available at many locations including Bunnings – here is an article on the bulb advantages (can last up to 50 years).

    Information on costs for replacement of flourescent lights with LED or alternative options: https://genless.govt.nz/for-everyone/at-home/use-led-lighting/?gclid=Cj0KCQjw9fqnBhDSARIsAHlcQYTuw2tD7YGg6AyFqlBu8JJlDHfyB2r8xl9Fq8QEgpZtAv6-prD9qyIaApvNEALw_wcB

    https://www.consumer.org.nz/articles/led-bulb-buying-guide

  8. Ensure new equipment (eg fridge) is long-lasting and energy efficient by checking the star rating on the label or at Consumer NZ and checking fridge seals.

  9.  In warmer seasons open the doors instead of using the air conditioner.

  10. Go paperless - reduce paper waste by using both sides for client notes or make notes on a tablet or computer. If you need to print, select double sided printing.

  11. Email paperless eftpos receipts to clients and digitize documents for minimal print

  12. Shred excess paper and put in compost or use for packaging – ensure staff awareness.

  13. Recycle balance of paper – eg use TIMG, https://timg.co.nz/about-us/ who offer services such as automations, online back ups, secure document destruction and e-waste.

  14. Get broken equipment repaired at the monthly Repair Café the first Saturday of each month at Orewa Community House.

  15. Check out what the Whangaparaoa Community Recycling Centre accepts - eg Tetra paks (alternative milks), batteries, polystyrene, many types of plastic, e-waste, cardboard, light bulbs and much more www.hibiscuscoastzerowaste.co.nz

    • The following are a list of what is accepted by HCZW in their e waste drop offs for recycling -

      • TVs and Monitors: CRT TV, Rear Projection TV, Flat Panel, CRT Computer Monitor, LCD Computer Monitors

      • PCs: Desktops and servers, laptops, modems, switches, routers, computer speakers, (per unit), Data Destruction, UPS, laptop batteries

      • Printers: Large and small printers/scanners/fax machines, small to large photocopiers, copier toner

      • Household Appliances: Small appliances, heaters/fans, vacuums, dehumidifiers, microwaves

      • Consumer Electronics: DVDs & VCRs, Stereo systems, speakers

      • Other: HH batteries, washing machines, dryers, dishwashers

  16. Donate magazines (if you have a waiting room) to local op shops

  17. If your office deals in metal based items, separate out to send to the scrap metal works in Silverdale - We have two local works at Alexander Scrap Metals, 26 and 35 Forge Rd, Silverdale - https://alexanderscrapmetals.co.nz/ and The Tin Men, 63 Foundry Rd, Silverdale - https://tinmen.co.nz/ They can also be recycled at the Hibiscus Coast Community Recycling Centre.

  18. Put reminder stickers on bins to increase staff awareness

  19. If you serve tea/coffee to clients (or have a staff kitchen) buy and use cups from second hand stores and use sugar bowls not sachets.

  20. Separate soft plastics - these can be dropped off to a number of local locations including local supermarkets https://www.recycling.kiwi.nz/store-locator

  21. General Sustainability - Sustainable Business Network Free Self Assessment Tool - https://sustainable.org.nz/docket/sustainability-self-assessment/

  22. Measure your carbon footprint. Carbon footprint assessment tool for businesses and offsetting options - https://carbonclick.com/business/ or https://www.toitu.co.nz/what-we-offer/carbon-management - you can start with their Starter Q&A Checklist which you can find here - https://sustainable.org.nz/media/tmlbeg12/sbn_docket_q-a-supplier-checklist.pdf

  23. Responsible banking and 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 into – https://mindfulmoney.nz/

  24. Research and switch to clean power sources - Canstar Blue provides a summary of power companies and if they use renewable sources - https://www.canstarblue.co.nz/energy/green-power-nz/

    Or NZ Compare - a guide to renewable power companies in NZ - https://www.nzcompare.com/n/power/the-future-of-renewable-energy-nz

  25. For Retail/Hospitality/High Discard mainly: Join a share scheme around pick up/drop off of certain products to save time, money and petrol. Perhaps take turns on a roster system with a weekly/monthly collection to collect items and drop off for items such as –

    • Foils/items for scrap metal (hairdressers)

    • Clothing items from retail

    • Larger recyclable items

    • Soft plastics

    • Tetra Paks

  26. Solar Panel potential: If a landlord is prepared to pay for the mounting brackets, the business tenant could pay for solar panels. At the end of a tenancy the landlord would retain the mounting brackets on their roof and the tenant could either offer the solar panels to –

    • The next tenant

    • To the landlord to use and charge accordingly to the next tenant

    • Take them with them to any next premise;

    • or sell on

    Light Force - Solar providers, modular and hybrid grid systems available

    https://lightforce.co.nz/

  27. Inorganic collections: To find out details about inorganic collections and see your local area dates check the Auckland Council website at https://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/rubbish-recycling/inorganic-collections/Pages/default.aspx

  28. B-Corp Certification -B Corp Certification is a designation that a business is meeting high standards of verified performance, accountability, and transparency on factors from employee benefits and charitable giving to supply chain practices and input materials - https://www.bcorporation.net/en-us/certification/

    In the Office Kitchen:

  29. Keep some tiffins for takeaway meals and a Keep Cup for takeaway coffee (see images below)

  30. Give named Keep Cups as office gifts

  31. Don’t run the tap continuously when washing or cleaning

  32. Set up a Resource Recovery Station in the Office for sorting out food scraps, soft plastics, coffee pods, paper, bottles, cans and different types of plastic for recycling (see image below) - Hibiscus Coast Zero Waste can organise this for you

  33. Ask your local café if they will give a discount for bringing a Keep Cup or if reusable cups can be taken away and returned. Drifters Cafe in Orewa do and we are sure many others will if you are going to use them for regular takeaways. Then have a few spare Keep Cups in the staff room and encourage use by staff.

  34. Add dry packets of cleaning products to add to water to reuse plastic containers for cleaning spray and wipe or refill. As noted above - The following are items that are available for refill at the HCZW station - Ecostore Grapefruit Dishwash, Ultra-Sensitive Laundry Liquid and Lemongrass Handwash. Alternatively you can purchase enviro friendly cleaning products from https://www.insinc.co.nz/. Alternatively consider using Enjo microfibre cloths for cleaning as it just uses water to clean, so no need for products - read more and purchase at https://www.enjo.com.au/ (for all types of cleaning)

  35. If you don’t have any resource sorting station just get an office food caddy to separate out coffee grinds, teabags, food scraps compostables and take home to put in your food waste bin or deliver to HCZW’s free Sharewaste bins

  36. Invest in re-sealable, reusable containers for office leftovers

  37. Source environmentally positive gifts for clients/staff at the Whangaparaoa Community Recycling Ecoshop (see egs below) or support local by buying local and source ethical gifts for clients/staff

    Health and Beauty:

  38. There are a number of actions businesses in the Health and Beauty sector can consider including -

    • Consider joining the Sustainable Salons scheme. Sustainable Salons help salons reduce their impact and up to 95% of their waste. There is a one-time set-up fee and an ongoing weekly membership fee but this does include your bins, pick up service, etc. https://sustainablesalons.org/about

    • Use a usage bowl to measure colour waste both to reduce and to monetise then put out for landfill instead of pouring away

    • Virgin hair can be made into wigs or can be composted (breakdown does take a while)

    • Long hair can be sent to make into wigs

    • Separate foils, colour tubes, blades and cans for scrap metal

    • Use on clients and sell a product range that uses green packaging and ingredients

    • Put reminder stickers on bins for staff awareness and action

    • Encourage washing bowls in luke warm water for power savings

    • Recycle hairdryers and where possible get repaired - There is a Repair Cafe the first Sat of every month in Orewa. https://repaircafe.doughnuteconomicsnz.com/

    • Reuse necktowels and gloves - no single use

    • Don’t run the tap continuously when preparing products or cleaning

    High Discarded Materials:

  39. There are a number of actions businesses in the High Discarded Materials sector can consider including -

    • Introduce recycle bins if not already doing so and educate staff/contractors (even if not used by all, at least some recycling by contractors is better than none at all!). Consider a 3 bin system on construction sites separating out recyclable materials and cleanfill from the landfill bin

    • To avoid over ordering design houses around eco materials for better efficiency and less waste

    • Be part of a share scheme to share resources or over orders either between your own company jobs or with other firms

    • Separate out metal-based items to send to the scrap metal recyclers in Silverdale

    • Use refill/recycle print cartridges - if you use toner this can be recycled at the Toner Recycling Centre, 3 Rothwell Ave, Rosedale - 0800 180 160

    • Consider if something can be repurposed - if so advertise on social media, offer to The Men’s Shed to repurpose or CivilShare, TradeMe or made available to demolition companies with good circular recycle systems

    • If you are in the building industry you may consider contacting Sustain and Enable (https://se.org.nz) to get ideas and optimise your building sustainability. They also produce a useful brochure - Building or Developing Brochure

    • Recycle cardboard and other packaging - you can get a separate bin for cardboard or drop off locally to either the Whangaparaoa Recycling Depot at 637 Whangaparaoa Rd or Silverdale Re:Sort Transfer Station at 101 Foundry Road.

    • Send cable drums for recycling - J A Russell take back their cable drums for recycling

    • Sell copper and wiring to metal recyclers

    • Plastic water tanks and plastic piping can be recycled through Silverdale Plumbing World - https://www.plumbingworld.co.nz/bailey-tanks-recycling-project - Plumbing World also accept other PVC plastics. Call to find out more 09 421 9052 - probably other large companies do the same so check with your supplier.

    • Offer plastic backed papers to craft and art classes for repurposing or advertise on social. Any paper that's coated in a material like wax, plastic or foil (such as metallic wrapping paper or some Christmas cards) can't be recycled. Glossy paper is accepted in all local recycling programs, provided the paper does not have a plastic coating. If the glossy paper is easy to tear, it should be ok. If you're not sure, it's better to be safe and dispose of it in the rubbish.

    • Track bin receipts to reduce waste this can also help reduce costs

    • Consider offering Katz board as an alternative where appropriate for corflute signage

    • Large ACM signs can be taken to the WCRC

    • Polystyrene can be recycled either through WCRC or Abilities on the North Shore

    • Offer your off-cuts to local artists, classes for reuse

    • Consider applying to the Auckland Council WMIF grant for help with setting up systems to divert C&D materials from landfill or the Helensville Community Recycling Centre accepts many C&D materials 022 430 3622 helensvillecommunityrecycling@gmail.com. C&D materials generally consist of concrete, wood (from buildings), asphalt (from roads and roofing shingles), gypsum (the main component of drywall), metals, bricks, glass, plastics, salvaged building components (doors, windows, and plumbing fixtures), trees, stumps, earth, and rock from clearing sites

    • Waste measuring for construction

      Construction and demolition waste is made up of a wide variety of materials, including concrete, plasterboard, wood, steel, brick and glass. Every year, New Zealand industries and households discard over 3 million tonnes of construction and demolition debris to landfills and cleanfills. Averaged across the population, this represents about one tonne per person.

    • Mangawhai programme: Getting big builders on side to sort materials - Waste busters - Mark Gains CRC 09 945 3980 manager@mahurangiwaste busters.nz -  Trish Allen - Contact

    • Demolition companies usually work under good circular recycle practices

    Hospitality:

  40. Use a pressing machine for plastic bottles to save on space and waste costs

  41. Have Keep Cups available for sale

  42. Put plastics under the coffee steamer to soften and reduce in size for waste saving

  43. Only print customer receipts when asked for

  44. Train staff in sustainable practices

  45. Use the City to Farm Project for food scrap diversion- https://www.citytofarm.co.nz/ - join now!

  46. Sell end-of-day food on the Foodprint app, or give to local food pantries or organisations

  47. Offer free water - Refill NZ - Where you can get your water bottle refilled for free - https://refillnz.org.nz/ - register yourself on this service

  48. Put reminder stickers on bins for staff awareness and action

  49. Grow your own mini herb garden

  50. Food Print - App where end of day food is listed and sold at cost price to connect consumers with affordable food that would otherwise be wasted or unfit to sell - https://www.foodprint.org.nz/

  51. Food Scraps & Food Resource

  52. Food Rescue & Supply

  53. Retail (second hand store focus)

  54. Recycle paper/books

  55. Label clothing items with paper labels and safety pins, if too hard staples are better than plastic tags

  56. Track bin receipts to reduce waste this can also help reduce costs

  57. Advertise your unsold items through social media for upcycling/repurposing or offer your unsold items to local artists, classes

  58. Cut off cords from electrical items for recycling

  59. Make up rag bags for free pick up and use by local tradies or sell them

  60. Fabric Rescue: Intercept Fabric Rescue - A programme developed and run by Whangarei Salvation Army Family Store – looking at getting support to get this off the ground in Whangaparaoa also. https://www.interceptfabricrescue.net/ - there may be an opportunity to collaborate in some way?

Smart power strip

Resource Recovery Station - the base holds bags for sorting plastics, metals, glass and coffee pods

Tiffin

Keep Cup