Sharing and sustaining

By Mara Pattison-
BUSINESS leaders from across the Yarra Ranges celebrated their graduation from the shire’s Sustainable Business Program.
Participants of the 2009 program were recognised and rewarded at a highly successful graduation dinner held at Rochford Winery earlier this year.
Advent-Care Yarra Ranges operations manager Alexander Bolek said by sharing ideas with many industry leaders, it became obvious sustainable practices would help in the long term financial viability of an organisation.
“We are convinced we have only begun to scratch the surface of what is possible,” he said.
“The changes implemented have already shown savings and are providing many indirect benefits.”
Mr Bolek said AdventCare has made changes such as using low efficiency light globes, installing two water tanks, using sensor taps, seeking local produce, using electronic documentation and recycling as much as possible.
“Staff are constantly coming up with novel ways to utilise waste, rather than it be sent for landfill,” he said.
Yarra Ranges Shire business development officer Michelle Ross said the program helped businesses develop more sustainable practices, minimising their environmental impact, while increasing profits.
“By developing more efficient use of resources, businesses were able to decrease their costs and therefore increase their profit margin,” she said.
Ms Ross said participants represented a diverse mix of industries with businesses ranging from sole operators to more than 100 employees.
She said the group of local businesses met monthly to learn new business practices, share ideas and work together over a 12-month period.
Graduates were invited to join the alumni of past participants in the shire’s Leadership Network, where they could continue to support sustainability in a business context.
The 2010 program has just begun with 27 new participants.