Free Hamilton workshop kicks off new Carbon $ave programme

Environment Waikato has launched a new programme, Carbon $ave, to help Waikato businesses reduce their carbon footprints, operate more efficiently and save costs.

The programme is for medium sized enterprises that want to improve their environmental performance but don’t have the time, funds or knowledge to know where to start.

Businesses can take part for the heavily subsidised cost of only $150-400 each, thanks to a $35,000 grant from the Ministry for the Environment.

Environment Waikato will be holding free introductory workshops around the region from August onwards for businesses interested in applying for the Carbon $ave programme. The workshops are a chance to get more information about the programme and hear success stories from other businesses that have improved their environmental performance.

The introductory workshops will be open to all medium sized Waikato businesses with 10-50 employees, with the first held at the Greenspace in Hamilton East on Tuesday August 4 from 8am-9.30 a.m. Other workshops will run in Cambridge, Morrinsville, Putaruru, Huntly, Waihi and Taupo. To register, email advice@sustainabiz.co.nz.

Once businesses have attended an introductory workshop, they can apply to join the programme. Spaces on the Carbon $ave programme itself are limited, so priority will be given to businesses with the biggest potential for changes and savings.

Businesses selected will receive a visit from a consultant, who will carry out a sustainability audit at their premises and prepare a resource efficiency and carbon reduction plan. Businesses will be responsible for carrying out the recommendations in the plan, with ongoing support from the Carbon $ave team.

Environment Waikato sustainable business facilitator Barnaby Smith said the programme would help local businesses respond proactively to new environmental legislation, such as the Waste Minimisation Act.

“It’s also a chance to align your business practices with your personal values and enhance your business’s brand and reputation so you can become a market leader, not a follower,” he said.

“Globally and locally, consumers are taking an increasing interest in how companies behave environmentally. In a recent Business Council ShapeNZ online survey, 70 per cent of respondents said a company’s environmental performance had a significant impact on whether or not they would buy their products."

For more information about Carbon $ave please call Barnaby Smith at Environment Waikato on 0800 800 401 from July 28 onwards, or email advice@sustainabiz.co.nz.