Environmental Policy Checklist for Bookshops

❄

10:44 AM, 20 March 2019

Time Out was recently part of a Sustainability Stars programme run by the Albert Eden Board and Green Business HQ. In this programme, we delved into the deep effects that our businesses are having on the environment and for Time Out, having e-bike deliveries available has not been enough of a sustainable change!

Nurturing yourself as a sustainable business can take extra effort that can be difficult to find time for. However, motivations to do this are high. Not only is it good for the environment, being a sustainable business can be great for staff morale as well as creating a positive branding story for customers. 

Unfortunately, there are some cons: sustainable products are generally more expensive, the staff time to implement and train is costly and pick-up services for waste such as compost can be costly. 

Immediate changes implemented during the Sustainability Stars programme were:

  • Soft plastic collected and taken to the supermarket (these bins are being reinstalled in April 2019.)
  • Bio-fill peanuts were taken out of the landfill and offered to the community. (This has been mostly positive, except when we have a lull in pick ups. In this case, we would call WeCompost for a one off pick up.)
  • Coffee grounds composted by staff members in their home gardens.
  • Our 'bio-degradable' plastic carry bags are being phased out and we've made moves with the local business association to have reusable, Boomerang Bags (or something like it) in the Mt Eden village.
  • Have transitioned from plastic tape to paper tape. 
  • Contacted distributors who weren't using bio-fill to ask them to change (only one has said no.)

Here's an easy to start checklist to begin a sustainable business action  - this checklist is also attached as a PDF, with check-boxes

Sustainable Procurement, Books, Packaging & Materials

- Provide feedback to suppliers on sustainability 

- Use eco cleaning products 

- Office paper, toilet paper and hand towels meet environmental requirements 

 

Transport, Community, Health & Happiness

- Research the sustainability plan of your courier 

 - Register your business as bike friendly 

- Discuss sustainable transport options with staff 

- Explore living wage for staff and ways to improve store accessibility for disabled visitors. 

 

Carbon, Energy & Water

- Install LED lightbulbs 

- Ensure any new appliances/fixtures have high energy and water star ratings 

- Shutdown computers when store is closed 

 

Waste

- Compost bin in kitchen  

- Soft plastic plan  

- Team set of resuable coffee cups 

- Bio-fill disposal plan 

- Compostable/biodegradable rubbish bags 

 

Land and Nature

- Humane rat/mouse traps 

Download the PDF now

❄
Featured