Local Sustainability Business Leaders, watch and share their stories
Many businesses in Darebin are taking a lead in terms of environmental sustainability. Be inspired by watching these short videos on some of our leading Sustainable Businesses.
Video: Exquisine - Exquisine were the first company in Australia to install a CO2 refrigeration/cooling system that is safe for the environment and extremely efficient. They have installed 150 kws of solar, LED lights through Darebin’s Light$mart program and reduced waste to landfill.
Video: Charles Sandford and McKay Joinery - Charlie has installed solar, LED lights and put in place many other measures to significantly reduce his ongoing costs and reduce his businesses impacts on the environment.
Video: Show Works - Show Works has installed solar, LED lights through Darebin’s Light$mart program and significantly reduced waste to landfill. Many of the initiatives adopted have led to great environmental and $ savings for the business.
Video: Northcote Bakery - Hiruni Peiris, from the Northcote Bakeshop is passionate about sustainability. Find out some of the things she and her business partner/husband have done to reduce energy, waste and water within their business and build new partnerships in the community.
Video: Fairfield Physiotherapy - Christine Flanagan, from Fairfield Physiotherapy, was one of the first businesses to install LED lights through Darebin Council's Light$mart program and solar through our Darebin Business Bulk Buy program. Christine has also found other ways to reduce energy and waste in her business.
Video: Shiny Embroidery - Peter Wu, from Shiny Embroidery, Australia's largest embroidery business, has installed solar across their three Darebin sites, because it just made business sense. Peter has also upgraded Shiny Embroidery's lights to LED and found new ways to reduce water and waste to landfill.
Light$mart – Energy Efficient Lighting Program
Take advantage of our Darebin Light$mart program and subsidy to help you upgrade your lights to LED. Over 180 local businesses have upgraded their lights to LED through the Light$mart Program. As a result of this over 15,000 lights have been made more energy efficient and businesses are saving thousands of dollars on their electricity bills.
Light$mart works with local businesses, organisations and practitioners to retrofit and install energy efficient lighting. Through Light$mart Council subsidises the LED lights by 50% (GST exclusive) with the Council rebate capped at $1,000.
For a free quote from one of our Light$mart installers or to find out more please email business@darebin.vic.gov.au.
Business Recycling
We offer a fortnightly business recycling service for a one off fee of $96.00 per 240 litre bin, with a maximum of two bins available. All items recyclable in the Darebin residential recycling bins are accepted. To find out what you can put in your business recycling bin go to Items Accepted for Recycling.
To order your business recycling bin(s) go to www.darebin.vic.gov.au/BusinessRecycling
Business Solar Saver and Environmental Upgrade Agreements
More and more businesses in Darebin are realising the financial, environmental and business benefits of installing solar on their rooftops. As energy prices continue to go up, solar for business becomes not just a good idea, but an excellent business proposition for reducing on-going costs in a very cost effective way. The Darebin Business Solar Saver program is making it easy for you to join with over 80 other businesses who have installed solar locally.
Darebin's Business Solar Saver program allows you to install a solar system of up to 30kw at no upfront cost. Council will pay the upfront cost for the system, then you (or your landlord) pay it off over ten years, interest free. The savings you make on your energy bills will more than outweigh your repayments to Council.
For businesses interested in installing a system larger than 30kw or undertaking energy efficiency upgrades, we can help you to source funding to achieve this through an Environmental Upgrade Agreement.
To register your interest in the Business Solar Saver Program and/or an Environmental Upgrade go to www.darebin.vic.gov.au/solar
Sustainability Matters
Our next Sustainability Matters event will be held on Tuesday 30 April 2019 from 6 pm - 8 pm in Preston.
Sustainability Matters is an annual event at which local business leaders share their stories of how they have adopted green practices and cut their costs whilst reducing their carbon footprint and waste. Product suppliers and installers are also on hand to help you make the first connections with businesses that can help you take action. You also have the chance to connect with other local businesses, share ideas and resources. To register email business@darebin.vic.gov.au
Green Business Networking Events
The Green Business Network meets bi-annually. At least one of these events is held within a local business that showcases their sustainable actions and initiatives. It is a chance to network, share ideas, inspiration and resources.
To register your interest in joining the network or to be notified of upcoming events, email business@darebin.vic.gov.au or call 8470 8550.
Sustainability Victoria Energy Assessment Grants
Grants are now available for businesses that spend $20,000 or more a year on electricity and have less than 200 full time employees.
We are working with Sustainability Victoria to help local businesses reduce their energy costs and use. These grants enable businesses to have an energy assessment undertaken, identify and implement energy improvements. Funding is available from both Sustainability Victoria and Darebin Council to cover 50% or more of the cost of an energy assessment.
Grants are offered at two levels: a basic energy assessment is up to $2,000 and a detailed energy assessment is up to $6,000, with a $3,000 assessment recommendation implementation bonus available to both grants.
If you are interested in accessing one of these grants please contact business@darebin.vic.gov.au.
Sustainable Leaders in Manufacturing
Through our SLIM (Sustainable Leaders in Manufacturing) program we are working with over 30 local manufacturers to help them reduce their energy usage, greenhouse gas emissions and waste. Through their participation in SLIM all these businesses have saved thousands of dollars through making changes to help their businesses be more environmentally sustainable.
All our SLIM businesses have installed LED lighting, many have installed solar, some have formed industrial ecology business partnerships to turn their waste into a resource for others, and all have reduced their waste going to landfill.
We are looking for businesses interested in accessing a highly subsidised energy audit. If you are a local manufacturer and are interested in getting support to save money and reduce your energy usage, greenhouse gas emissions and waste and interested in connecting with other sustainable leaders in manufacturing email business@darebin.vic.gov.au or call 8470 8550.
Darebin Fridge Timer Program
If you have fridges that contain non-perishable items you could be saving between $400 - $500 a year by switching them off when your business is closed. We are offering food and beverage businesses free fridge timers to reduce electricity consumption.
To register your interest email business@darebin.vic.gov.auor call 8470 8344.
Darebin Coffee Timer Trial
Commercial coffee machines use a lot of energy. It is estimated that over 50% of these machines are not turned off when businesses are closed. We are interested in working with businesses that would like to install a timer on their coffee machines to turn them off when they are not being used as part of our Darebin Coffee Timer Trial. This can save a business between $300 - $600 a year on their electricity bills. As part of this trial Darebin Council will subsidise the cost of the timer by 50%. The cost of installation of the timer to a business will be no more than $300.
To register your interest email business@darebin.vic.gov.au or call 8470 8344.
Bicycle racks for businesses
Council is committed to encouraging green travel and will install a free bicycle parking hoop outside eligible local businesses.
To find out if your business meets the eligibility criteria for safety and accessibility please complete our online form and a transport officer will contact you.
Darebin Green Business Directory
If your business sells ‘green’ products or services, or is actively working to reduce energy consumption, water usage and waste, in addition to joining our Green Business Network and Directory you can access our business events, support, training and mentoring.
Over 160 businesses, including cafes, accountants, retail shops, osteopaths, mechanics, solar power installers, manufacturers and more are listed on the Darebin Green Business Directory. These businesses are working to operate more sustainably and/or offering ‘green’ products and services that help reduce environmental impact.
To find out more email business@darebin.vic.gov.au or call 8470 8344.
"We are Greening our Business" stickers
Does your business/organisation have solar, or are you recycling and working to reduce energy consumption, water usage and waste? If so, do you have your ‘We are Greening our Business’ sticker and are you listed and promoted in our Green Business Directory?
The ‘We are Greening our Business’ stickers have been developed to recognise and celebrate the effort you are making to reduce your environmental impact. A certificate can accompany the sticker to let your customers and peers know about your efforts.
Bronze, silver or gold stars are allocated to mark each area of action (lighting, energy efficiency, solar, water, waste, food, chemicals, transport, and sustainable products). The more actions you take, the more stars you get.
If you have taken action to reduce your environmental footprint and would like to participate in the program, email business@darebin.vic.gov.au or call 8470 8344.
Tips and resources
The following websites offer some great tips and resources:
- Positive Charge: Energy saving tips for businesses in retail, cafés or restaurants, hotels or motels, manufacturers, office or professional organisations.
- Positive Charge: Short videos on how to cut the cost of your energy bills.
- Energy Efficiency Assist: Short videos covering topics such as energy efficiency, optimisation and management, and energy saving technologies/options.
- Carbon Compass: Improve your energy efficiency, reduce costs and lower carbon emissions by providing real and practical information. Links to grants and funding are also provided.
- CitySwitch: A high-value no-cost service that helps commercial office tenants improve office energy efficiency.
Further information:
Sustainable Business Officer
Phone: 8470 8550
Email: business@darebin.vic.gov.au