The first of MSA's Energy Efficiency videos are now available on YouTube or via the Energy efficiency videos page: Energy efficiency: sources of data Energy efficiency: evaluating improvement options Energy efficiency: compressors Energy efficiency: lighting Local businesses show how they worked out where to improve their energy efficiency and how to go about it. The videos will be useful to industry, RTOs and others who are interested in energy efficiency and support the Energy … [Read more...]
Australian Packaging Covenant
The Australian Packaging Covenant sits under the National Waste Policy and is the voluntary component of a regulatory arrangement based on the principles of shared responsibility through product stewardship, between key stakeholders in the supply chain and all levels of government. The Covenant is designed to minimise environmental impacts arising from the disposal of used packaging, conserve resources through better design and production processes and facilitate the re-use and recycling of … [Read more...]
Sustainability Victoria (Vic)
This site provides checklists, guides, case studies and other resources covering topics such as: Renewable energy Energy efficiency Waste and recycling Life cycle thinking Water savings It also provides information about availability of funding programs to support sustainability, for example, the Victorian Sustainability Fund. See http://www.sustainability.vic.gov.au/ … [Read more...]
Qld Government environment and pollution management
A central source of information on environmental management requirements in Queensland including: Waste reduction and recycling strategy Environmental licences and permits Duty of care guidelines for cultural heritage protection Environmental impact assessment guidelines. See http://www.qld.gov.au/environment/pollution/ Business focused information is available at https://www.business.qld.gov.au/business/running/environment. … [Read more...]
ThinkBrick Australia life cycle assessment
ThinkBrick Australia commissioned Energetics to undertake a full Life Cycle Assessment of the Australian clay brick industry. This involved collecting data directly from the industry on clay extraction, manufacturing processes, transport requirements, construction elements, and end-of-life disposal. They report that the embodied emissions of a typical Australian house represent only 11% of the total emissions over a 50-year life cycle, regardless of walling materials. See … [Read more...]
Amcor Fibre Packaging steam upgrade
Amcor Fibre Packaging upgraded the steam and boiler system at one plant resulting in energy and carbon savings. Amcor sourced some government funding to support the project and expects a 100% return of investment within a four year period. From this project they have achieved: about 412 tonnes of greenhouse gas abated 6% reduction in gas use. For more information about Amcor's sustainability initiatives see: www.amcor.com/sustainability … [Read more...]
ALCOA Sustainability case studies
See what ALCOA has been doing for sustainability with case studies dating back to 2007. See http://www.alcoa.com/australia/en/info_page/sustain_home_cases.asp … [Read more...]
ABnote case study
ABnote identified several strategies to support sustainability in their facility design and management, providing energy and water savings of up to $22,000 at one plant. These included: Ensuring that evaporative air conditioning units are working properly Installing water-efficient fixtures in new plants Sensor systems for lighting and environmental controls Upgrading toilets to dual flush Installing rainwater tanks installed for non-drinking water use ‘Green teams’ doing audits to … [Read more...]
Oxford Cold Storage water capture initiative
Oxford Cold Storage uses 200 kilolitres of water every day for their evaporative cooling systems. With concerns about long term water supply and threat of price increases they applied for funding from the Australian Industry Group for a feasibility study to ascertain how water could be sourced from roofs and plant buildings. The study showed that 62% of potable water needs could be met by capturing water from the two roof areas (based on average yearly rainfall) saving almost $26,000 in … [Read more...]
Amcor reduced waste to landfill
Amcor has achieved a 48% reduction in waste to landfill compared to 2005-06. Through a partnership with Fibre Energy P/L solid waste is being is processed to form pellets known as fibre shots, to be used as coal replacement. This accounts for 60,000t per annum of solid waste being diverted from landfill in a waste to energy process. Amcor has also developed a bacterium to digest nearly all of its 35t waste ink sludge per month. The annual expected saving in waste disposal is more than … [Read more...]
