Enviro-Mark News Issue 10, June 2010
In this issue:
Editorial
Kristin Flanagan
We all know that prevention is better than cure.
The recent oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico helps to illustrate why having a robust environmental management programme in place is so vital – and not only for your own ‘peace of mind’.
One of the most cost-effective and responsible approaches to environmental management is through the identification and prevention of environmental hazards. An EMS helps to create structure to your organisation’s ‘way of doing things’ – as well as providing the framework for the management of any hazards associated with this.
Here at Enviro-Mark, we’re noticing a growing trend towards including environmental requirements in procurement criteria and the need to prove independent (and credible) certification in support of tender applications. That’s great news for our members! Your Enviro-Mark certification provides independent evidence that your organisation is implementing a robust and effective environmental programme, and we encourage our members to ‘lean’ on their certification when talking about their organisation’s approach to environmental management.
Landcare Research has over 10 years experience managing Enviro-Mark in NZ and during that time, we’ve helped hundreds of businesses to successfully implement their own environmental management systems using our 5 step programme (aligned to International Standard ISO14001:2004) . An important part of our programme – and the success of our members – is the regular compliance checks (audits), conducted by our independent and credible 3rd party (auditors). You certainly can’t cut an Enviro-Mark certification out of the back of your cereal packet!
This issue, we’re profiling Booker Spalding, taking another look at integrated audits, introducing some additional approved consultants and discussing our first ever Member Networking event in Wellington.
Until next time, keep warm and keep well!
Kristin Flanagan
Membership Manager
Networking Event in Wellington
Recently, we held our very first member networking event in Wellington. A dedicated bunch of our members braved the wet day to attend our lunch time function at the Greater Wellington Regional Council building. Don Richards (Quality and Environmental Manager) from BRANZ provided an insightful look into his organisation’s journey – and their achievement of Diamond certification. There was plenty of time for networking, meeting other like-minded Wellington business people, asking questions, swapping business cards – and heaps of yummy food to enjoy!
We hope to roll out these events in other centres later this year – watch out for our next event in Christchurch or Auckland!
Enviro-Mark ‘approved’ consultants
Chris Bailey
We’re pleased to announce KBS Sustainable Innovation Solutions in Auckland has joined our growing team of approved Enviro-Mark consultants. KBS Sustainable Innovation Solutions have a team of 6 consultants, who between them have a long history of assisting a wide range of organisations achieve excellent environmental outcomes through a partnership approach. Their consultants also have great hands-on experience of the Enviro-Mark process and the technical requirements of ISO 14001:2004
We approve selected consultancy organisations and individuals so that they can provide consultancy advice to NZ-based organisations on the Enviro-Mark process. These services may appeal to those members seeking a more in-depth consultancy solution in addition to that offered by our own EMS Advisor – Chris Bailey.
Chris is, as always, available to provide free advice to our members. Please email or phone Chris with your EMS enquiries, or make yourself known to him at one of our training or drop-in sessions. He’s a friendly chap, we promise!
Integrated or ‘Joint’ Audits
You may recall that towards the end of last year we announced that we were about to start trialling an integrated audit approach in conjunction with Telarc SAI. We hoped that this pilot project might provide our members with the opportunity to gain Enviro-Mark®NZ Diamond and ISO 14001:2004 certifications from the result of one on-site audit.
In principle the requirements of each of these standards is very similar, however the audit approach and verification process can differ significantly. We have been working towards developing a standard integrated audit process (and pricing structure) that fulfils the auditing needs of both certifications – and that also satisfies the objectives of all parties involved.
A number of trial audits were conducted and now it’s time for us to reflect on our findings and formalise our processes.
Meanwhile, we’re calling a short hiatus to offering any new integrated audit opportunities.
We’ll let you know when we’re ready to roll again – and provide you with the details - but if you have any questions about booking your audit in the meantime, please contact the Enviro-Mark team.
PrintNZ and the ‘Part of Life’ campaign
Enviro-Mark has a number of members from within the Printing sector, including PrintNZ itself, so we know there is considerable interest in environmental issues within this industry group – as well as considerable pressure from customers and stakeholders to perform.
During 2009, PrintNZ conducted a research study to understand how both buyers and consumers perceive print. The results underlined the fact that consumers like print, especially sitting down to relax with a book, magazine or newspaper. This research also highlighted the fact that there are many common (negative) misconceptions about print and the printing industry.
As a result of the research, PrintNZ has initiated the ‘Part of Life’ campaign, the aim of which is to present people with the facts about print so that they can make sustainable choices and form considered opinions.
Print NZ began recruiting “Print Champions” from within the industry to support their campaign in March So far, they have around 110 champions (individuals and businesses) signed and paid up.. If you’d like to know more, check out their website at: www.partoflife.co.nz/home
Workshop update
We have 2010 sorted! All of the dates for workshops and member drop in sessions are now up on our website at: www.enviro-mark.co.nz/eventlist.asp.
Make sure you book in early.
Enviro-Mark on TV!
Recently, Enviro-Mark Business Manager Charlie Bartlett, was interviewed by TV One’s Business programme in conjunctions with our member Stevenson’s Resources.
New members and certifications
A warm welcome to: Dunedin Print, PMP North Island (2 sites), Auckland Drum Sustainability Services, Iplex Pipeline (2 sites), H & A Design and Print, Amstore, Jasmax, Retail Dimension, The Colourguy, The New Zealand Printing Company.
Congratulation to the following members who have been recently certified:
| Soar Printing | Diamond |
| Mighty River Power - METRIX | Diamond |
| FumacareHamilton | Diamond |
| Mailshop Ltd | Platinum |
| Wellington City New World | Gold |
| Phonak New Zealand Ltd | Gold |
| Bakels Edible Oils (NZ) Ltd | Gold |
| de-Bruin Judge Furniture Ltd | Gold |
| Horton Media | Gold |
| NZ Credit Union South – Nelson | Bronze |
| Gen-I TechRestore | Bronze |
Member Profile: Brooker~Spalding
Stephanie van den Bergh (second from left) and Richard Spencer receiving the Greater Wellington Regional Council Excellence Award in Manufacturing
Wellington leading corporate wardrobe supplier Booker~Spalding has been a pioneer in driving environmental improvements through its business. Executive Assistant, Stephanie van den Bergh discussed the company’s environmental focus with Enviro-Mark Membership Manager, Kristin Flanagan.
Why did you decide to focus on environmental management?
Booker~Spalding joined Enviro-Mark in 2006, via the Wellington EnviroSmart programme, to achieve several objectives. While we already had some environmental practices in place, we required assistance in formulating an environmental management system (EMS) and improving our environmental performance by minimizing our waste and reducing energy, water and raw material use. We also wanted to develop a process for procuring environmentally-sound products and services. Our preferred way to achieve this was through certification to the Enviro-Mark Gold level and we were proud to be the first company in Wellington to achieve this - and within just 12 months.
What has been the most challenging aspect of this?
Initially it took time to set up the programme but Director, Peter Grayling was passionate about the programme and with Anne Gilby and me championing it, the programme got off to a flying start.
What has been the most rewarding aspect of your environmental programme?
Seeing how a medium-sized company like ours can actually make a difference to the environment and being recognised for our achievements through successive Enviro-Mark certifications and external awards such as: the Hutt Valley Business Excellence Award in Manufacturing 2009 and the Greater Wellington Regional Council Winner, Business Environmental Leadership Award 2009. The judges of the latter award cited our Enviro-Mark certifications and on-going community activities. We have also been invited to inspire other organisations by speaking at various business functions.
What are some of your EMS achievements?
We have reduced our waste to landfill from five to three skips per week. We estimate we have saved $4000 per year from waste reduction initiatives. We have increased our cardboard/paper and plastic recycling as well as toner cartridges and a whole range of miscellaneous items such as coathangers and shoulder covers. We recycle fabrics through Enviro Designers, Dress For Success, SaveMart and charities and recycling companies. Old furniture is sold and the proceeds go to Petone Central School which we sponsor through our youth community work.
We have reduced water use by 48% through fixing leaks, and reduced electricity use by 16% through changes in staff behaviour and more efficient technology. Our domestic and international travel has been reduced by continuing to schedule and combine client visits wherever possible. We share taxis more and use phone conferencing facilities where possible.
Through our procurement policy our suppliers and contractors have become integral to our EMS. For example, where possible we choose suppliers who can recycle products or sell recyclable products, and we use freight companies who hang garments to reduce repressing them when on arrival. This reduces energy output from pressers and reduces plastic and cardboard.
What advice would you give to other companies thinking of implementing an EMS?
Your company needs to be dedicated, and time and commitment from top management down is key. If you get that right the savings and benefits from other clients and suppliers can be huge. Even if you are a small business, larger businesses you deal with that have an environmental focus will put pressure on you to meet their standards, so having a programme in place is extremely beneficial.
How has the Enviro-Mark programme assisted you?
Not only has Enviro-Mark made Booker~Spalding more aware of the environment it has also guided us to commit more time to social activities such as adopting a local low decile school and other youth activities in the community such as Capital E, a creative technology and live performance centre in Wellington. It has also helped Booker~Spalding win tenders as many of our major clients also have a commitment, be it through government policies or other pressures, to perform and record their environmental performance.
What value does Enviro-Mark certification have for your organisation?
Booker~Spalding is committed long term to running a successful business and our health, safety, environmental and social responsible programmes are integral to that success. Being serious about our environmental commitment to the community, our current clients and potential clients is also good for staff morale. The Enviro-Mark certification puts a value to the hard work achieved in being environmentally responsible.
Where are you heading now with your environmental management efforts?
We are constantly evaluating our achievements and assessing our goals. We believe we are not far off Platinum certification so will start focusing our efforts to achieving this next level.
What advice would you give to anyone else starting out on the EMS journey?
Look for support and use it well. Having support from a driving organisation like Enviro-Mark has been vital in the development of our EMS. By breaking the process down into achievable steps, developing an effective EMS has been far easier than expected.