VECCI

Participants in the VECCI-managed Grow Me The Money sustainability program saved an average of $8,619 on their gas, electricity and water bills in the 2009/10 financial year, representing a 32 per cent improvement on the 2008/09 savings.

Firms also saved, on average, 78.1 tonnes of CO₂ in 2009/10, a jump of 29 per cent on the 2008/09 figure of 60.5 tonnes CO₂. The average carbon saving in 09/10 is equivalent to each participant taking over 18 cars off Australia's roads, compared to 14 cars in 2008/09.

"Grow Me The Money participants are becoming even more effective in cutting their carbon footprint and utility bills," said VECCI CEO Wayne Kayler-Thomson.

"These are significant savings for small and medium businesses and a real incentive for others to become sustainable."

To highlight the inspiring work of participants, VECCI has recognised Victoria's leading sustainable businesses through the Grow Me The Money Awards for Results, announced today. The award was open to Grow Me The Money members who had completed the 12-step sustainable program and were able to report on achievements.

"The awards celebrate those Grow Me The Money participants who show what is possible when you are committed to becoming more sustainable," said Mr Kayler-Thomson.  "They are a demonstration that ordinary businesses are pushing forward to achieve extraordinary outcomes.  And typically they are doing this through a range of simple measures that other businesses can easily replicate."

The Grow Me The Money Awards for Results winners are:
1-4 employees: Clean and Gone and Horsham House
5-15 employees: Third Ecology and McManus Real Estate
31-99 employees: Isuzu Australia Ltd

Grow Me The Money is a 12-step online program that helps SMEs become more sustainable and save money. Recent analysis by VECCI found that businesses can deliver one-third of Australia's 2020 emissions reduction target of 138 million tonnes (or 5 per cent below the 2000 level) by undertaking a sustainability program such as Grow Me The Money.

A snapshot of the winners:

Horsham House, a regional heritage B&B, has cut water and electricity use by 64 per cent and 28 per cent respectively since 2007, through a series of water and energy reduction initiatives, including water-efficient laundry appliances, a heat recovery ventilation system, a heat pump hot water system and temperature-sensitive valves on showers.

Clean and Gone, a rubbish removal, demolition and building de-fitter, has reduced its carbon footprint by cutting landfill waste through the careful deconstruction of sites and salvaging and resale of re-useable materials.  Fuel bills have also been cut by reduced trips to landfill and better planning of driver routes.

Third Ecology¸ an architect firm, has reduced lighting energy consumption by 20 per cent through simple measures such as turning off non-essential appliances, replace lighting with LED and adding additional light switches to work areas. The company also replaced their old computer server with new energy star compliant equipment that used less energy than the previous, lesser capacity server.

Lara-based real estate firm, McManus Real Estate, has halved paper usage in the office, reduced energy heating/cooling related energy use by 15 per cent and reduced energy use from lighting by 30 per cent. It is also educating tenants and landlords on sustainability initiatives through an updated property inspection checklist incorporating measures such as installing shower heads, waters tanks, and energy efficient lighting, and via 'green tips' in its monthly newsletter. It has also developed a drought tolerant display garden in its head office to showcase water conservation measures to customers and the community.

Isuzu Australia Limited launched a range of compressed natural gas (CNG) trucks in May 2010 which produce 30 per cent less carbon than the equivalent diesel vehicle and save customers 25 per cent in fuel costs. The company has introduced an office recycling program, 'delamped' secondary office areas, and introduced 'Cool Biz' whereby staff dress appropriately for the revised summer air conditioning temperatures now set at 24 degrees. It has invested in new lighting technologies and, coupled with a range of other initiatives, has saved around 20 per cent in energy during 2010. The company also plans to roll out green accreditation throughout its 70 dealership network through participation in Grow Me The Money.

Businesses can join the Grow Me The Money online program by visiting www.growmethemoney.com.au. Prices start at $89 and are 100 per cent tax deductible.