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Symmetry Sustainable Business

Lessons from Symmetry – Project Manager’s reflections

Symmetry NewsLink has consistently espoused the view that sustainability is essentially making the future a priority in today's decision making. This is neither new nor a novel idea but the parlous state of the environment means that society can no longer afford to ignore the future. Indeed, an ancient proverb reminds us of this rather cogently: "We have not inherited the earth from our ancestors. We have borrowed it from our children".

Drive down your lighting

Lighting is an essential service embodied in all building types. With proper lighting the aesthetics of indoor spaces can be enhanced and desired illumination provided for activities performed. For commercial building, lighting is the single most important cost, comprising a quarter of the energy bill.

A Good Building is Smart Business*

We are by now all aware of the benefits of improving our sustainable practice and operations. Despite talk of increased regulation, sustainability in Australia has so far been mainly driven by corporate policy and the practice of individual smaller business operators. Many businesses have sought savings through energy and water efficiency and managing waste. This year marks an important shift to new sustainability measures resulting from laws designed to make buildings more efficient.

What was achieved at Copenhagen Climate Conference?

The Copenhagen conference can be seen as a great success or an abject failure. It all comes down to ones perspective and expectations.

A profile of Symmetry Bronze Graduates

An analysis of the 84 Bronze graduates indicates that by and large the project attracted small sized businesses mostly from the service sector. Furthermore, Safety and Emergency Response Planning was identified as the most important priority for improvement.

Sustainability Awards for Mount Annan Buildings

The Bowden Centre at Mount Annan Botanic Gardens, opened in May 2007, is a modern structure, with its winged roofline and clever design. Its sensitive, environmental design incorporates such elements as natural cross flow ventilation; timber and joinery elements from certified sustainable sources; separation of waste water and harvesting of rainwater for irrigation and toilet flushing; use of low voc emitting materials; and placement of windows to maximize light and interaction with the external, natural bushland setting.

Garnaut’s Supplementary Draft Report

Professor Garnaut suggests that Australia should embark cautiously on reducing carbon emissions, in the absence of a global agreement that included major polluters including China. On the basis of a 550 ppm (particles per million) outcome, he recommends that Australia should reduce emissions by 10% (or 30% in per capita terms by 2020 and a 80% reduction (90% in per capita terms) by 2050 over 2000 levels. The mitigation cost to Australia would be 1.1% GDP by 2020 under the 550 ppm scenario and 1.6% GDP by 2020 under the 450 ppm scenario.

Why is Symmetry important for a small business?

Six reasons why Synnetry is important to small business.

Symmetry wins awards for businesses

Symmetry helped this innovative boutique dairy in Wollondilly win the prestigious Royal Agricultural Show Society's 2008 President's Medal. John Fairley, the owner of the Country Valley Milk, said that his organic yoghurt beat tough competition from similar products and he was able to demonstrate his care for the environment to the judges by the work he had done since enrolling in the Symmetry program.

Jennifer Baldwin, another Bronze graduate and the owner of Goddess Essentials, a jewellery and gifts retailer from Picton, said that, "By participating in Symmetry I was able to demonstrate my business's environmental credentials which in no small measure helped me win the Small Business Champions Award for NSW and ACT in the Gifts Category."

Bronze Graduation No 2

Eighteen more businesses graduated with a Bronze Award at a ceremony held at the Macarthur Centre for Sustainable Living on 15 September 2008. The CEO of the Macarthur Business Enterprise Centre, David Waudby, presented the certificates. Of those graduating 9 businesses were from Camden, 5 from Campbelltown and 4 from Wollondilly.

Symmetry Workshops

Camden, Campbelltown, Wollondilly and Liverpool Councils in the South West Sydney are leading the way in small business sustainability through the Symmetry Sustainable Business program. Almost thirty businesses have entered the Symmetry Sustainable Business program since our first workshop in early April. Our participants know that a good environment is smart business.

Solid waste Management

As of 1st July 2008, charges for disposal of commercial waste will increase by up to 33.92% for local businesses. This will bring the cost for some services in Macarthur and Liverpool up to $165 per tonne. This is a great time for all small business to consider ways of not only reducing waste. Remember, refuse, reduce, reuse and recycle.

Did you know?

Interesting statistics and sustainable business news

Camden Airport Bushland Project

Preservation of Camden Airport Environmental Protection Zone is essential for conservation of the area’s fragile ecosystem. Thanks to Greening Australia, a number of initiatives are being undertaken such as bush regeneration and control of noxious weeds. Businesses participating in the Symmetry Sustainable Business Program can get appropriate recognition if they are involved in program such as this.

MEDIA RELEASE - Symmetry Project Launched

Russell Edwards, AusIndustry State Manager for NSW, launched the Symmetry Sustainable Business Project on 20 February at Paul Wakeling Motors, Campbelltown. More than 80 people, predominantly from the business sector, attended the function.

This project is proudly supported by AusIndustry, an Austrlian Government Initiative

Symmetry Sustainable Business Partners