Gold Enviro-Mark for BRANZ
In December last year, BRANZ celebrated receiving the gold level certificate for the Enviro-mark environmental programme from the Mayor of Porirua City, Jenny Brash.
BRANZ champions sustainability and environmental issues for the building industry. To have credibility in this role it needs to ‘walk the talk’, and it has been. In 2006 it was one of the first Wellington organisations to join the Enviro-Mark programme, a programme developed in the United Kingdom to improve the environmental performance and resource efficiency of organisations. Landcare Research adapted this programme for use in New Zealand.
Audit highlights good and bad
When BRANZ first became involved, the Enviro-Mark programme was divided into three sections – gold, silver and bronze. Staff expected it to take some time to make improvements, but there were surprises right from the start.
The first came from a pre-inspection audit. The double-skinned diesel tank at Judgeford that holds fuel for fire tests had complied with the regulations at the time of its installation, but from an environmental perspective, it no longer fitted the bill. The tank was replaced and bunding installed.
The second surprise was a pleasant one – the organisation had done a lot of work already and had a good environmental performance. This recognition was a benefit of benchmarking against established guidelines. Like a lot of organisations, the focus had tended to be on what had not been done, rather than on what had been achieved.
Reductions in water and energy use
Next, water and energy consumption was measured at the Judgeford site. By making simple changes, such as recirculating water for some tests, water use was reduced by 60% over 2 years.
Under-used buildings were decommissioned and staff encouraged to turn off equipment when it wasn’t in use. As a result, electricity consumption fell by 10%. Fuel consumption for vehicles also declined.
No more plastic for Build
Other measures were also implemented. The plastic cover that protects Build magazine was changed to a biodegradable film wrap. A cardboard recycling cage was brought on site and photocopy paper changed to a FSC (Forest Stewardship Council)-endorsed product. The Level Sustainable Building Series is being printed on 9 Lives paper, made from 55% recycled paper and 45% FSC-certified pulp, and Govt3 guidelines are considered during tendering for publications and brochures.
Further measures have been agreed, and the aim is to gain platinum certification this year. However, there are still many challenges ahead before BRANZ can be considered as clean and green as it would like to be.
For more
On Enviro-Mark, see www.landcareresearch.co.nz/services/sustainablesoc/enviromark.
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Articles are correct at the time of publication but may have since become outdated.
