Industry Case Studies
Zero Waste SA's Industry Program helps companies take a more sustainable approach to their waste management and resource use to improve results on their triple bottom line of financial, environmental and social returns.
Some of South Australia’s best-known companies have recognised the benefits of working collaboratively with Zero Waste SA and the Business Sustainability Alliance to reduce their costs and environmental impacts.
With a solid commitment and regular monitoring, businesses gain a competitive ‘green’ advantage, while also being able to operate more sustainably and responsibly in a relatively short space of time.
The following companies are demonstrating outstanding results in resource efficiency:
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Adelaide Airport and Zero Waste SA
In just one year an estimated 689 tonnes of waste was being sent to landfill from the terminal and an additional 29 tonnes from airport offices and the maintenance compound. Adelaide Airport Limited turned to Zero Waste SA’s Resource Efficiency Assistance Program (REAP) which helped fund a waste contract review.
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Adelaide Convention Centre and Zero Waste SA
Adelaide Convention Centre is on a green crusade. Not satisfied with a wide ranging program to improve its own environmental credentials, the centre has introduced initiatives encouraging sustainability among its customers.
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Adelaide University and Zero Waste SA
Creative and effective communication is at the core of the University of Adelaide’s sustainability program as it works to drive down the amount of waste sent to landfill. With four campuses, more than 3000 staff and over 25,000 students building a recycling culture is a major task.
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Anglicare and Zero Waste SA
In just two months Anglicare SA has achieved a remarkable turnaround in the amount of waste it sends to landfill. The amount of general waste diverted from landfill has been increased from about 20% to more than 70% in a program that has lessons for many large organisations with multiple sites
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Arnott's and Zero Waste SA
Arnott's Biscuits Limited has significantly reduced solid waste removal from its Marleston site gaining real financial savings to the company.
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Arts SA and Zero Waste SA
Recycling among key SA Government arts and cultural organisations more than doubled in three months following the roll-out of a new sustainability initiative.
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Australian Institute of Management & Zero Waste SA
The South Australian division of Australian Institute of Management (AIM SA) understands better than most the importance of effective management systems and a strategic approach to implement change.
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Bowden Group and Zero Waste SA
Bowden Group aims for the highest occupational health and safety standards and recently proved its quality management credentials by achieving ISO 9001. Now the family-owned Adelaide printer intends to close the final link in its management systems by gaining one of the highest environmental standards – ISO 14001.
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Cadillac Printing and Zero Waste SA
Cadillac Printing has taken another major step towards environmental best practice by reaching Level 2 of the Sustainable Green Print (SGP) certification program.
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Cundall and Zero Waste SA
The Adelaide office of Cundall – international specialists in environmentally sustainable building design – knew it was doing well in its efforts to keep waste from landfill. But it had lofty goals of doing even better. To support its objectives the company joined Zero Waste SA’s Industry Program to investigate how a small office of eight people can keep improving.
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Department for Families and Communities and Zero Waste SA
Achieving zero waste is the challenging target of any organisation serious about minimising its environmental impact. In a groundbreaking waste management and sustainability program, the south Australian Department for families and communities (DFC) has achieved outstanding progress toward realising this ultimate goal.
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Department of the Premier and Cabinet and Zero Waste SA
As the State Government’s lead agency for climate change, the Department of the Premier and Cabinet (DPC) decided to lead by example in tackling sustainability targets for its own operations.
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ETSA and Zero Waste SA
ETSA Utilities turned to the Zero Waste SA Resource Efficiency Assistance Program (REAP) for the tools and strategies it needs to reach its targets under the EPA's Environment Protection (Waste to Resources) Policy.
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Fibrelogic and Zero Waste SA
In just 12 months Fibrelogic Pipe Systems has transformed an industrial waste stream from an expensive environmental obligation into a valuable resource. A range of improved environmental and operating measures – some based on common sense and improved workplace practices, others using cutting edge technologies – are helping turn the pipe manufacturer into a star performer.
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Hilton Adelaide and Zero Waste SA
Hilton Adelaide has taken a leadership role in pursuing environmental sustainability for the hotel and restaurant sector. The 5-star hotel has developed an environmental improvement program that touches just about every aspect of its operation.
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JamFactory and Zero Waste SA
Staff and associates at the contemporary craft and design centre had formed a Green Team to identify ways to improve recycling, and cut down on water and energy use.
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Jurlique and Zero Waste SA
Jurlique has joined a pilot to trial Zero Waste SA’s online sustainability dashboard which measures a range of environmental impacts – such as waste, water, energy and fuel – often in real time.
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New Castalloy and Zero Waste SA
Harley-Davidson has steered a wheel manufacturing business in North Plympton, operating as New Castalloy, NCA from being a noisy neighbour under its previous owner, to a company that exceeds EPA standards and is setting a bright future for staff and local residents.
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Orlando Wines and Zero Waste SA
Despite achieving an impressive solid waste recycling rate of 91% at its Rowland Flat winery and distribution centre, the company asked Zero Waste SA for an independent assessment of its activities.
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Philmac and Zero Waste SA
Adelaide-based Philmac has embarked on an ambitious recycling program to reduce waste to landfill by about 20% during 2011. Through new recycling strategies and employee education the company hopes to divert an additional 75 tonnes from landfill every year.
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Phoenix Society and Zero Waste SA
Phoenix Society has overcome some significant obstacles on its road towards sustainable business practice. The not-for-profit organisation embarked on an ambitious greening program in 2007 to cut waste and lower energy and water consumption.
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PMP Limited and Zero Waste SA
Griffin Press is taking action on many fronts to lower the company's environmental footprint. They are minimising waste and pollution, conserving natural resources and implementing best practices across the business to raise environmental standards.
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Printing Industries Association of Australia and Zero Waste SA
The alliance of the Printing Industries Association of Australia (PIAA) with Zero Waste SA is an extension of the Resource Efficiency Assistance Program (REAP) to reach more organisations quickly and efficiently through their industry peak bodies.
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RM Williams and Zero Waste SA
RM Williams' Salisbury operations have shifted landfill bound waste to recycling, reduced use of new resources and reduced energy consumption. RM Williams' strategy has brought ongoing improvements in productivity, recycling and energy conservation.
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Royal Adelaide Hospital and Zero Waste SA
Reducing the ecological footprint of a large public hospital takes strong leadership, solid teamwork and good communication. The Royal Adelaide Hospital demonstrated all three in a large-scale environmental program that has dramatically cut the amount of general and organic waste it sends to landfill.
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SAGE Automation and Zero Waste SA
SAGE Automation is among the first companies in South Australia to trial an innovative new online monitoring system designed to help organisations track improvements in sustainability.
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South Australian Cricket Association and Zero Waste SA
SACA has joined Zero Waste SA’s Resource Efficiency Assistance Program (REAP) to identify and implement a raft of new initiatives to lower the Oval’s environmental footprint.
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TAFE SA Marleston Campus and Zero Waste SA
The Assets and Procurement Unit at TAFE SA’s Adelaide South Institute operates on the principle that everything has a value. It’s a mindset that has prompted the training organisation to join Zero Waste SA’s Resource Efficiency Assistance Program (REAP) to build on the success of wide-ranging sustainability initiatives.
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TAFE SA Regency Campus and Zero Waste SA
Regency international centre is the largest campus of its kind in the southern Hemisphere with industrial-sized facilities for cooking, bakery, butchery and brewing.
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Tarac Technologies and Zero Waste SA
For any business it is the ultimate in environmental sustainability: it removes a serious disposal problem and creates new revenue streams. But to remain viable in a world of changing consumer tastes and economic uncertainty, Tarac has had to embrace innovation across its operation.
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Treasury Wine Estates and Zero Waste SA
Implementing an effective and consistent waste management program in the wine industry is complex and challenging. For a start the waste streams are incredibly diverse and geographically spread, starting in the vineyard and moving to wine production, bottling and packaging. The solution is a high quality Waste Management Toolkit produced with the support of a $20,000 grant from Zero Waste SA.
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Zoots Kitchen Bar and Zero Waste SA
A couple of surprises were in store for Zootz Kitchen Bar when it joined a new industry sustainability and waste management program in Adelaide. First was a realisation of just how much food waste the restaurant was sending to landfill and the second was how quickly it was able to improve its recycling performance.
