Environmental Compliance Tips for SMEs

The Federal Government’s commitment to achieving net zero emissions by 2050 will have a significant impact on how private enterprises operate. If you are submitting tenders for government projects, you may have already observed supplementary inquiries regarding your environmental initiatives, ISO 14001 Environmental Certification, and/or Green Star Certification. Compliance will continue increasing for all organisations. Although it can be difficult to navigate this landscape, there are some straightforward initiatives that organisations can adopt today.

• ecoBiz Queensland:  ecoBiz is a free program funded by the Queensland Government. An ecoBiz expert can assist your organisation in reducing your energy, water, and waste. You simply register for a free assessment and provide the ecoBiz expert with your utility bills. For more information visit:  https://ecobiz.businesschamberqld.com.au/

• Energy Efficient Equipment:  The Federal Government released an expression of interest for a Grant to assist small and medium enterprises in purchasing energy-efficient equipment. For more information visit: https://business.gov.au/grants-and-programs/energy-efficiency-grants-for-small-and-medium-sized-enterprises-round-1

• Environmental Policies & Procedures:  Introducing an environmental policy is highly recommended. This policy may contain initiatives such as:

  • Reducing and reusing paper;

  • Recycling green waste;

  • Engaging an organisation that collects food waste for composting;

  • Shutting down computers and turning off standby power;

  • Using rechargeable batteries;

  • Walking to meetings (where appropriate);

  • Avoiding the use of air conditioning (where possible);

  • Avoiding single-use plastics (such as water bottles).

Educating your team on initiatives to implement at home should also form part of your policies. Providing a straightforward monthly green tip can aid in educating and motivating behavioural changes, extending the impact to every household.

• Data Cleansing:  According to recent studies, the Cloud's carbon footprint is believed to exceed that of the airline industry. Data centres consume an enormous amount of electricity, with estimates suggesting that one data centre can use as much electricity as 50,000 households. Many of us tend to save redundant documents and photos, and even duplicate email attachments. Adopting a reliable email management system can help eliminate duplication, and instituting policies on when and what to save, as well as regular data cleansing exercises, can significantly contribute to reducing the impact.

• Green Procurement:  Most suppliers now provide green alternatives to products. Organisations should be aiming to purchase:

  • 100% recycled, chlorine-free paper products;

  • Products that don’t contain palm oil, or contain sustainably sourced palm oil;

  • 100% biodegradable cleaning products;

  • Cleaning products that don’t contain sulphates, phosphates, petroleum solvents, Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), chlorine, bleaches, caustic alkalis or benzene detergent bases;

  • Appliances with high energy star ratings;

  • Kitchen and stationery supplies with no packaging or minimal packaging.

Again, educating your team regarding greener alternatives to everyday grocery items can extend the impact.

• Green Supply Chain Management:  Incorporating measures that encourage your suppliers to enhance their practices, or selecting suppliers who prioritise their environmental impact, should be a key aspect of your procurement policy. Conducting an annual supply chain audit is a straightforward way to motivate suppliers to assess their impact. You can create an intricate audit framework, or take a more straightforward approach as illustrated in the example below (note, this is a snippet only from an audit document):

• Carbon Footprint: If you are looking to expand beyond these basic initiatives, there are organisations available to assist you in evaluating your carbon footprint. These companies can provide comprehensive reports on how to reduce your footprint, and/or guidance on investing in carbon offsetting programs.

Although your environmental impact may not be at the forefront of your concerns, businesses will inevitably be expected to play a pivotal role in attaining net zero emissions. Whether you are skeptical or a firm believer in climate change, modifying your practices will ultimately become necessary. The above examples are just some starting points.