How do I Take up the Challenge?
- Certification is open to all commercial and industrial workplaces, including profit or non-profit enterprises, and private or government owned organisations.
- Simply contact the SWSA, and supply your contact person/ details:
Mr Shaun Cousins
6224 0955
swsa@bigpond.com.au - We will arrange a suitable time to complete the certification process.
- There is no charge associated with the certification or promotion of Award recipients involved in the Clean Business Challenge.
Certification
1. Site Inspection
A brief inspection of business operations would be expected to confirm the key features of an improvement plan, for example:
- Presence in Visitor Induction system, in large organisations.
- Sighting of a formal Environmental Policy and/ or Plan.
- Separate waste/ recycling bins, clearly labeled or colour-coded.
- Segregation of office waste.
- General housekeeping.
2. Commitment to an improvement process
Large organisations are likely to have a formally documented plan, often part of an environmental management system, and may be accredited to ISO 14001 or similar standard systems.
A documented plan is not expected in the case of small businesses, however senior personnel should be able to demonstrate that a rational process of measurement, analysis, and agreed actions occurs.
Key Features
- Demonstrated understanding of key business processes.
- Quantify major process streams and recycles.
- Does the business have specific employees dedicated to environmental improvement?
- Improvement through a prioritised Action Plan.
- Demonstrated appreciation of reduce, reuse , recycle and responsible disposal.
- Application of the Plan to the entire range of business processes.
3. Consultation & Collaboration
Demonstrate the involvement of all parties necessary to the success of the process.
- Part of induction processes
- included in workplace training
- Workplace awareness - e.g. newsletter
- Involvement of suppliers and contractors - e.g. supplier take-back schemes.
4. Monitoring and Review procedures
Is ongoing monitoring and improvement part of the way you do business?
- Periodic Audits.
- Routine monitoring and reporting of environmental Key Performance Indicators as part of the management system?
- Constitution of improvement teams.
The mechanisms with respect to small business would be expected to be less formal.
5. Evidence of Improvement
Where a plan has been implemented, evidence may be provided, of any resulting reductions in the quantity or toxicity of solid waste produced by the organisation.
Conditions of Certification
Conditions apply to the certification of businesses for the Clean Business Challenge. Contact the Southern Waste Strategy Authority for details.