In a first for rural NSW, some of Australia's biggest primary producers are working together to protect the environment, saving almost $1 million while cutting waste, energy and water use.
The businesses, which all hail from the Riverina region in southern NSW, have joined the Department of Environment and Climate Change NSW (DECC) Sustainability Advantage program, which helps companies improve their environmental performance.
“With representation from the wine, food and agricultural service industries, the group has already made several impressive achievements since its inception a year ago. These include
- water savings of 142 megalitres a year
- energy savings of 1.9 gigawatt hours
- over 150 tonnes of waste prevented from going to landfill
- 27,000 trees planted and an additional 85 acres of indigenous plantings
- total savings within the group of $980,000,”said DECC Director General Lisa Corbyn.
The businesses forecast a further $590,000 in savings, with a number of projects initiated by or run in parallel with the scheme soon to come online.
The Sustainability Advantage program is currently partnering with over 200 organisations across NSW to build more environmentally sustainable businesses.
The Riverina firms taking part in the Sustainability Advantage program are Casella Wines, Orlando Wines, Westend Wines, De Bortoli Wines, McWilliams Wines, National Foods, Rockdale Beef, Bartter Enterprises, Murrumbidgee Irrigation, Real Juice Company, Great Southern Limited and PHL Surveyors.
For more information about the Sustainability Advantage program: