Case studies:
- Spring Gully General Store
- Business description
- Climate projects
- Laila and Me Pet Treats
- Business description
- Climate projects
- Crooked Kitchen
- Business description
- Climate projects
- UFS Pharmacies - Hargreaves Street
- Business description
- Climate projects
- Bendigo Foot Clinic
- Business description
- Climate projects
- Related information
Spring Gully General Store
A Beacon of Sustainability among Bendigo's Hospitality Businesses.
Embracing sustainability isn't just a business decision; it's a commitment to our future and the wellbeing of our community. We're excited about our journey towards becoming a fully sustainable business, and we're proud to lead by example in our community. - Adam Nicoletti.
Business description
Spring Gully General Store, owned and operated by Adam Nicoletti, stands at the heart of Bendigo at 134 Spring Gully Road, and has had a long-term emphasis on sustainability. Known for its community focus, the store has been proactive in integrating sustainable practices into its daily operations – with its 30kWh rooftop solar system, food garden and water tanks and preference for free-range products.
Climate projects
- Upgrading to energy-efficient refrigeration units to reduce energy consumption
- Regular maintenance and cleaning of the existing 30kW solar panel system to optimise energy production and possible upgrade
- Draught Proofing and zoning off the cooking and retail areas to optimise heat exchange
- Phasing out gas appliances in favour of electric or heat pump alternatives to lower greenhouse gas emissions
- Enhancing HVAC systems and improving building insulation to significantly reduce energy needs
- Introduce better temperature control measures - exhaust fans, heat exchangers, thermostats and timers
- Establishing Spring Gully as a community hub for sustainability through the promotion of events and workshops focused on eco-friendly practices
- Encouraging sustainable transport options among staff and customers, including the provision of bike racks and EV charging
Laila and Me Pet Treats
Pioneering Sustainability in Pet Nutrition.
At Laila and Me, we believe that caring for our planet is as important as caring for our pets. Every step we take towards sustainability is a step towards a healthier future for our pets and the planet. Our commitment to zero emissions by 2030 reflects our dedication to both. - Melissa Devereaux.
Business description
Laila and Me Pet Treats, led by owner Melissa Devereaux, has established itself as a leading pet treat company, prioritising pet health with vet-approved, single-ingredient treats. Committed to supporting local agriculture, all treats are made from locally sourced, Australian produce, significantly reducing waste by utilising by-products from the human food supply chain.
Climate projects
- Enhancing the efficiency of existing cool rooms and installing WiFi timers on dehydrators to minimise energy usage
- Investigating the potential to offset all electricity emissions through GreenPower
- Upgrading dehydrators to models with better energy efficiency
- Establishing rigorous tracking and reporting of emissions reductions across primary use and secondary use, and implementing comprehensive recycling and composting strategies for all packaging
- Transitioning to an entirely electric vehicle fleet
- Investing in a large-scale solar PV system with battery storage to become a net producer of renewable energy
- Expanding environmental responsibility across the procurement chain to include outside company emissions, ensuring all sourcing is sustainable
Crooked Kitchen
Encouraging customer change through green packaging initiatives.
I have two kids and I sometimes wonder what kind of world we are going to be leaving them if we continue on the path that we are on with waste. - Luke Goodson.
Business description
The Crooked Kitchen is a small take away café that produces healthy, quality food with low environmental impact that features a completely gluten free menu. Located on Lyttleton Terrace, they promote sustainability to customers by accepting coffee keep cups, bowls and even office mugs but also have eco-friendly packaging available if you forget.
Climate projects
- Encouraging use of coffee keep cups
- Energy efficient fridges and lighting
- Full gluten free menu
- Offset 100% of electricity to GreenPower
- Reduce number of electric suppliers
- Effective temperature control and heat exchange in work areas
- Install rooftop solar with battery backup
- Remove all gas appliances
- Monitor and report emissions within the business
UFS Pharmacies - Hargreaves Street
Leading the Way in Energy Efficiency in Healthcare.
At UFS Pharmacies, we believe in taking responsibility for our environmental impact as much as we care for our community's health. These initiatives are just the beginning of our journey towards a sustainable future, and we are committed to leading by example in the healthcare sector. - Susan Randall, Pharmacy Manager, UFS Hargreaves Street.
Business description
Located at 379 Hargreaves Street, Bendigo, VIC 3550, UFS Pharmacies is not just a health care provider but also a budding pioneer in incorporating energy efficiency into its operations. The pharmacy is undertaking significant steps to reduce its environmental footprint and energy use while continuing to provide exceptional care and service to the community.
Climate projects
- Implementing no-cost measures such as adjusting HVAC operation hours to align with occupancy, significantly reducing energy usage with minimal investment
- Replacing all remaining fluorescent lights with LED equivalents, which not only lower energy consumption but also enhance the quality of lighting in the pharmacy
- Educate and encourage staff to adopt energy saving practices
- Installation of a large solar PV system on the roof to generate clean energy and significantly reduce electricity costs, with a straightforward payback period of approximately 2.3 years
- Upgrade ceiling insulation to reduce heat transfer and increase comfort
- Install air curtains at entry points to manage internal and external air and heat flow. Better settings on automatic doors to reduce amount of hours open
- Continuously improve energy management by considering a Type 2 audit for a deeper analysis and implementation of more comprehensive energy-saving strategies
- A commitment to purchasing 100% GreenPower, ensuring all electricity used is sourced from renewable energy, thus reducing greenhouse gas emissions drastically
Bendigo Foot Clinic
Pioneering Sustainable Foot Care in Bendigo.
As we care for our community's feet, we also aim to tread lightly on the earth. Each step we take towards sustainability reflects our commitment to the wellbeing of our patients and the planet. - Nicholas Bate.
Business description
Bendigo Foot Clinic, owned by Nicholas Bate, has been a cornerstone of health in Bendigo for over 25 years, offering comprehensive foot care services and products. Located at 80 Rowan Street, Bendigo VIC 3550, the clinic prides itself on fostering long-term relationships with its patients while welcoming new ones.
Climate projects
- Implementation of energy-efficient lighting throughout the clinic
- Regular recycling and composting of product packaging and office materials
- 10kWh+ Roof-top solar PV system
- Draught Proofing
- Upgrade ceiling and install underfloor insulation
- Introduction of biodegradable consumables in patient care
- Double glazing to windows
- Achieving a carbon-neutral footprint by 2030
- Partnering with other health services to promote sustainability in healthcare