South-east Queensland-based innovators win top environment awards

Five innovative south-east Queensland-based companies have won 2008 Environmental Protection Agency Sustainable Industries Awards, for outstanding performance in environmental best practice.

Sustainability, Climate Change and Innovation Minister Andrew McNamara congratulated ALDI, Consolidated Rutile, Leightons, News Limited and RedFlow at the Awards ceremony held on the Gold Coast.

"The awards highlight the importance of the Bligh Government's Toward Q2 vision of promoting a strong, smart and green Queensland," Mr McNamara said.

"They showcase business leaders, companies and technologies that have set new benchmarks in environmental performance.

“The awards recognise Queensland-based companies that are incorporating environmental sustainability into their everyday business operations,” he said.

Mr McNamara said the Queensland Government is committed to helping Queensland business and industry develop technologies that reduce environmental impacts.

“Innovators like our award-winners show Queensland that we don’t have to look overseas for smarter production techniques.

“The awards recognise Queensland-based companies that are incorporating environmental sustainability into their everyday business operations.

“These companies demonstrate that sustainable practices can deliver enhanced profits and market advantages.

“The impressive quality of all the entrants highlighted the effort being made by many businesses to profit from innovation while doing the right thing by the environment,” he said.

Mr McNamara said the eight corporate winners were selected from more than 100 nominations, each showcasing Queensland business leaders, companies and technologies that were setting new benchmarks in environmental performance.

Media contact: Wendy Nye 3336 8004

Corporate Sustainability Award (sponsored by Westpac) – ALDI Australia – Loganholme

Environmental innovation is evident in almost every aspect of ALDI's business, from store design through to transportation and supplier arrangements. As a result, they have won the Westpac Bank Corporate Sustainability Award.

The retailer offers only polypropylene bags for purchase – preventing the disposal of around 150 million plastic bags– and uses coin-operated trolleys to minimise theft and dumping. Fresh produce, soft drinks and vegetable oils are transported and displayed in recyclable crates.

To reduce energy use, stores and warehouses minimise air loss through double-brick or insulated panels, entry/exit airlocks, suspended ceilings, freezer lids and chiller curtains. Stores run on one-third of the normal lighting levels outside store hours.

For increased transport eco-efficiencies, the 20 trucks in ALDI’s Queensland fleet have a unique moveable bulkhead system, allowing each truck to deliver a combination of goods. The trucks often backhaul products from suppliers on the return leg of a store delivery.

Resource Industries Sustainability Award (sponsored by the Queensland Resources Council)– Consolidated Rutile Limited – Dunwich

Consolidated Rutile Limited’s (CRL) continuous rehabilitation of land at its North Stradbroke Island sand mining operation has achieved a self-sustaining ecosystem similar to pre-mine conditions, winning the company this year’s inaugural Resource Industries Sustainability Award, sponsored by Queensland Resources Council.

Operating on the island since 1966, CRL progressively rehabilitates more than 75 hectares each year and has more than 4,000 hectares of land already under rehabilitation.

CRL is the first mining company in Queensland to include rehabilitation criteria in its Environmental Authority. The criteria ensure all levels of the organisation use rigorous, well-tested processes and procedures to minimise environmental risk, and ensure a sustainable ecosystem once mining operations have ceased.

Sustainability in the Built Environment Award (sponsored by Ergon Energy) – Leighton Contractors Pty Ltd and Leighton Properties Pty Ltd – Brisbane

Leighton’s Green Square project in Fortitude Valley includes 17,000 square metres of A-grade commercial offices, high-technology utilities, community facilities, a childcare centre, basement car parking and a residential precinct, surrounding a retail plaza.

The $120 million Green Square South Tower is the first commercial building in Queensland to be awarded a 5-star Green Star rating from the Green Building Council of Australia, receiving a 5 Green Star rating for Office Design in July 2006.

The South Tower design is forecast to achieve yearly water savings of 33.8 megalitres, energy savings of more than 410,000 kilowatts an hour, and greenhouse gas emission savings of about 390 tonnes a year.

Minister’s Award for ClimateSmart Leadership (sponsored by Bendigo Bank) – News Limited – Murarrie, Brisbane and Cairns

News Limited, publisher of Queensland’s largest circulating newspaper, is committed to addressing its impact on climate change by lowering energy use and becoming carbon neutral by 2010. As a result, it has won this year’s Minister’s Award for ClimateSmart Leadership, sponsored by Bendigo Bank.

At News Limited’s two Brisbane-based print centres, major energy savings are being achieved through new chillers and installing building management software. Improvements across the entire business, from air conditioning and lighting to IT and transport, are improving its energy efficiency and reducing the company’s carbon footprint.

Over the next four years, all company vehicles will be replaced with lower-emission vehicles and the relocation of the Bowen Hills operations to a “greener” alternative will maximise energy efficiency.

Innovation in Sustainable Technologies Award (sponsored by Hatch) – RedFlow Pty Ltd – Seventeen Mile Rocks

RedFlow Pty Ltd has created an environmentally friendly zinc-bromine battery that, when combined with photovoltaic solar panels, creates a source of renewable energy that is available on demand.

Current battery technology suffers limitations in service life, amount of charge, maintenance, weight and cost, which limits the benefits available to end users of renewable energy.

RedFlow has created a battery that is 1/6^th the weight of conventional lead-acid batteries, with lower production costs. The battery does not contain toxic heavy metals, is non-perishable, and can be refurbished to extend its life.

On average, each household that installs a RedFlow system will immediately reduce its greenhouse gas generation by 20 percent.