Organisations wanting to improve their environmental credentials and their bottom line are lining up for the Eco Smart Business programme.

That’s largely due to the big benefits reported by last year’s participants.

One company cut its vehicle operating costs by over $100,000 and waste management costs by 50% annually. Another reduced its waste costs by 39% while a fourth lowered its energy costs by 30% and another cut theirs by 40%.

To recognise them today the Eco Smart Business programme presented the following four Trailblazer awards:

• Energy Trailblazer Award– The Pink Bin Company for saving 40% on energy use;

• Waste Trailblazer Award – Floorcraft (NZ) Ltd for a 39% reduction in waste cost by donating waste carpet for weed matting;

• Transport Trailblazer Award – Eco Insulation for saving $100,000 per annum through focused route management and a fuel efficient fleet replacement programme. Also the new fleet is generating three or four sales leads a week;

• Eco Warranty Trailblazer – Greenscene Ltd for excellent implementation of the Environmental Management System and understanding, awareness and contribution by all staff.

Other interested parties are being invited to sign up.

The Eco Smart Business programme consists of five, half-day workshops where participants use an online system to measure their environmental footprint including energy use and waste management.

On an online system they then set up their own Environmental Management Plan which can lead to Eco Warranty certification and ultimately to meeting the ISO 14001 international environmental standard.

EMA’s aims are to help businesses save money and become more attractive to consumers and other parties in the supply chain, who are all demanding increasing proof of environmental credentials.

Other benefits of the programme, according to its participants, include:

• Providing the planning structure to continue to strive towards enhancing and protecting living environments.

• The ease and speed of reaching Eco Warranty Certification and subsequently ISO14001.

• Providing the tools to address relevant environmental issues within the business.

• Individual’s personal satisfaction.

• Raised awareness of companies’ environmental impact and implementing measures to minimise it.

The first 50 businesses signing up also receive a 50% subsidy thanks to the support of the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) and Auckland Council.

EMA executive officer Peter Atkinson says: “We are pleased to be helping members understand sustainability and gain independent certification for their efforts. We are the only general business membership organisation offering a programme of this type.”