Business Sustainability Template

Check if lights, appliances, and equipment are turned off when not in use

Identify opportunities for improvement and provide appropriate signage/education to staff

Investigate feasibility of automatic switch–off functionality for lights, appliances, and equipment

Check your thermostat, draughts seals, and insulation

Identify opportunities for improvement (for example, upgrading seals and insulation) and provide appropriate signage and education to staff

Check the energy rating of existing appliances

Assess future purchasing needs and identify energy efficient options

Check your premises for gaps in seals or areas where air is entering or exiting your building

Identify if these gaps are working against your heating and cooling system

Put in place measures to improve your seals and keep doors closed to maximize the efficiency of your heating and cooling systems

Check your energy bill to see if you are purchasing renewable energy (or refer to your venue manager)

Elect to purchase green power

Investigate solar power opportunities for your business

Check your existing taps and appliances for leaks

Start monitoring your water use. This is a great way to identify new leaks – a higher than usual water bill will indicate something is wrong

Fix any leaking taps or appliances

Find out where drinking fountains are located and identify any near your business

Assess where you could place drinking fountains for your staff and customers

Let staff and customers know they can "bring your own" bottle and fill up at your business

Understand water ratings

Identify water equipment and appliance needs

Commit to a minimum water rating for all new purchases/leasing arrangements

Identify your water needs

Assess the options available in the market – meet suppliers who can come up with a water saving solution

Install appropriate systems to meet your needs

Identify if any chemicals and oils are used during your event

Provide education to staff and contractors on how to responsibly deal with chemicals and oils

Ensure appropriate disposal systems/process are in place

Brainstorm what waste might be generated from your business

Find out the recycling options for your waste streams

Put in place appropriate bins and provide education to staff via onsite training and customers via posters

Identify single use waste items associated with your business

Investigate alternatives

Educate staff and customers on alternatives

Identify opportunities for staff and customers to BYO cups, bags and bottles

Implement initiatives to facilitate BYO options

Let staff and customers know they can BYO

Identify opportunities to encourage reusable items

Engage with suppliers/customers/staff and discuss options

Identify waste streams

Research potential partners in the market to work with

Put in place a collection and pick up program

Identify existing maps to support providing information on walking and riding routes

Provide information on you website and at key touchpoints

Promote walking and riding via social media

Identify incentives to encourage your customers and staff to walk, ride or catch PT

Chat with your customers and find out how they travel and what would motivate them to change their behaviour

Test an incentive program

Identify car hire needs

Assess greener options

Commit to a minimum standard of efficiency/green rating

Identify travel needs

Purchase carbon offsets for travel when available

Identify infrastructure to support people riding to your business

Provide infrastructure to support cyclists

Promote cycling to your business

Identify product needs and quantify % recycled, reusable, or with a guarantee to last

Identify better alternatives and do a cost benefit analysis

Set minimum standards for purchasing and a cost differential allowance (e.g. allow up to 10% more spend for a more sustainable alternative)

Identify product needs

Identify local alternatives

Set minimum standards for purchasing

Identify environmental and social certifications you would like to support

Identify opportunities to increase products with a certification

Identify opportunities to replace buying with leasing

Quantify waste savings ($ and kg)

Identify the different options for reducing single use water bottles (provide vs BYO)

Choose an approach that will work for your business

Ensure appropriate water refill locations

Assess catering needs

Ascertain levels of control over food selection

Set minimum standards for meat free options

Engage with caterers to identify opportunities for improvement

Educate caterers

Assess current practices and identify alternatives in the market

Put in place a plan to increase the number of items that are more sustainable

Identify social enterprises who could cater for your business

Compare catering options and promote chosen caterer and the benefits to the community