Now more than ever, Australia’s business community needs to shift its focus to more efficient and sustainable operations. Tenants have a critical role and Sydney’s are leading the way in making workplaces greener.
Stylecraft and Steensen Varming, 2 CitySwitch Awards winners for 2018, show us how it can be done.
A fine furniture company targets glass and plastics
Purveyors of fine Australian and international furniture, Stylecraft this year set about creating change in the company, and for its clients and suppliers.
The Woolloomooloo-based business signed up to the CitySwitch green office program and set targets for recycling glass and plastics.
Working with its building operations manager and waste contractors, Stylecraft introduced mixed recycling in its own office space – and helped get other tenants in the 24-level building on board.
Waste operations have also improved in its Sydney warehouse. And it has worked with staff to boost awareness of sustainability and encouraged them to take these ideas home.
The business now diverts around 90% of its warehouse’s polystyrene, polyethylene and plastic waste from landfill. Stylecraft’s efforts also earned it the CitySwitch’s New Signatory of the Year award for New South Wales.
CitySwitch Awards judges said Stylecraft is “a great example of a company working with the building manager and other tenants, looking outside their tenancy to where they can have a bigger impact”.
An engineering firm offers 8 waste and recycling options
The Sydney offices of engineering firm Steensen Varming took out the CitySwitch Signatory of the Year title for New South Wales and nationally. Having already achieved excellent energy efficiency for its office with a 6 star NABERS rating and 100% GreenPower, it has now drastically reduced the waste it sends to landfill.
Working with its building management the firm came up with 8 office waste and recycling options: food scraps, soft plastics, paper/cardboard, co-mingled recycling, coffee pods, electronic waste, batteries, and mobile phones. It also recruited fellow tenants.
Steensen Varming looked at its overall waste management, removing some items from its business operations and adding reusable options. A comprehensive staff engagement program also helped created a culture that puts sustainability first.
CitySwitch represents around 900 organisations nationally – or 15% of Australia’s office space. The free City of Sydney-supported program helps office tenants work towards a carbon positive future, reduce waste, and improve the health and productivity of their employees. It focuses on enhancing energy efficiency and reducing costs, managing energy price increases and mitigating business risks.
Published 17 December 2018, updated 14 February 2024
