Successful sustainability programme leads to win
Apparelmaster Rotorua (incorporating Linenmaster Rotorua and Rotorua Drycleaners) was delighted to pick up the Excellence in Sustainable Practices Award at the recent Westpac Rotorua Business Excellence Awards 2017. Commenting on the win, Director Ricky Brackfield said “We’re thrilled to have our extensive sustainability practices recognised. We are incredibly proud of what we have achieved and delighted to be pointing the spotlight on business sustainability. This award is such an important accolade for our hard-working team, they go out of their way to make a difference.”
His wife and fellow Director Kylie Brackfield added, “Sustainability has become a fundamental part of our business and our commitment to preserving the environment is present in everything we do. As a third-generation family business, we want to actively promote environmental and sustainable ways of operating for generations to come.”
Instep with sustainability
Apparelmaster Rotorua has increased its focus on reducing its carbon footprint by adopting the Instep Sustainability Programme.
The programme provides businesses with the tools to monitor and manage their carbon footprint, along with supplying advice and tips on how to reduce businesses impact on the environment.
Here are some of the environmental practices the company has adopted which helped them to win the award:
- Waste water reuse and heat recovery - two new systems have been installed to recover heat from waste water and to recover rinse water that used to be sent down the drain
- Switching to LED energy-saving lighting
- Using efficient vehicles to cut emissions
- Installing vehicle tracking to maximise productivity and save on fuel
- Solvent reuse – oil and tar from the dry-cleaning process is sent to a NZ company that recovers the solvents and turns the oil and tar into black salt used for making roads
- Comprehensive workplace recycling system
- Coat hanger initiative - steel coat hangers are now used rather than plastic, and their return is encouraged
- Compostable biofilm is now used to wrap and cover garments in the dry-cleaning shop
- Customers are provided with reusable bags for duvets, bedding and furnishings
- Community responsibility - old overalls, sheets and pillow cases are donated to the SPCA
- Zero waste policy - an onsite worm farm has been set up for staff food waste
Sustainability delivers results
The success of the sustainability programme has led to some impressive outcomes:
- Reduction in standardised CO2e emissions of 14.9%
- Total gas consumed per tonne of laundry reduced by over 10%
- A 13.4% reduction in litres of water consumed = 380,000 litres of water saved (the equivalent of 10,555 x 4-minute showers)
- Reduced landfill waste CO2e emissions by 43% thanks to a three-fold increase in recycled material
If you’d like to find out more about the Apparelmaster Group’s adoption of the Instep Sustainability Programme contact Belinda Wehrle - belinda@apparelmaster.co.nz
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