New grants help business turn green

Innovative Australian companies are increasingly implementing green technologies and practices to improve their businesses and reduce their environmental footprint. Sixteen Australian firms are the latest recipients of the Federal Government’s $4.4 million Re-Tooling for Climate Change program. Joining this green revolution are three Western Australian businesses, including two food processors and a mining engineering firm.

A mining engineering firm and two food processors are among the recipients of the latest round of Federal Government grants to encourage businesses to adopt environmentally sustainable practices.

Western Australian engineering firm Geographe Enterprises has won a $350,000 grant to upgrade its current heat treatment production processes to recycle waste heat generated by furnaces.

Fellow WA firms, Food processors Canon Food Services and Mrs Mac’s, will receive funding of $95,000 and $500,000 respectively. The grants will allow Canon Services to reduce energy and water consumption in the manufacturing process by installing more efficient production equipment. Mrs Mac’s grant will fund production line upgrades which have been projected to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 20%.

The AusIndustry funding was announced by Federal Innovation Minister Senator Kim Carr who said green industry practices were critical for Australia’s future.

“These grants provide manufacturers with the funds they need to get their ideas off the ground.  Through innovation, they will cut their costs, reduce their waste, and boost their profits. That’s good news for consumers – and good news for the environment.”

Senator Carr said the private sector had contributed an additional $5.3m to the Government’s $4.4 million to help fund the 16 projects under Re-Tooling for Climate Change program.

Sustainable environmental practice has increasingly become a priority in the day-to-day operations of Australian business. This workplace green revolution includes the reduction of carbon emissions, water and soil contamination. The trend toward sustainable systems has been adopted across a range of industries, including mining, transport, manufacturing, retail, hospitality, healthcare and government enterprises.

The shift toward green practices has taken many forms, from upgrading processing plants to utilising environmentally sustainable alternatives such as environmental cleaning products, which reduce chemical pollution entering soils and waterways.

A front-runner in the green revolution has been Perth-based Envirosafe Solutions, which supplies eco-friendly industrial liquids to Australian businesses. The company has adopted sustainable recycling programs at its office and warehouse and buys only certified green power to meet its electricity requirements. It uses its own biodegradable, low-toxicity environmental cleaning products including its Extreme Green range of solvent-free degreaser. Two percent of the company’s profits are donated to Carbon Neutral to off-set carbon emissions.

Programs such as AusIndustry’s Re-Tooling for Climate Change reflects a shift in the culture of Australia’s business community. Companies are embracing the green revolution and adopting sustainable practice to secure profits and reduce their environmental footprint – switching to eco-friendly liquid products is one measure that can be taken today. For more information on improving the environment through the use of eco-friendly industrial liquids contact Envirosafe Solutions on 1300 88 90 70 or email info@evss.com.au.

Sources:

http://minister.innovation.gov.au/Carr/MediaReleases/Pages/MANUFACTURERSANDPRODUCERSGOGREEN.aspx

http://www.ausindustry.gov.au/InnovationandRandD/Re-ToolingforClimateChange/Documents/RCCFundingOffer-July2010Dec2010.pdf