Forum helps business go green

Companies in the printing, manufacturing and electroplating industries can learn how to cut waste and cut their costs, at a free forum hosted by the NSW Department of Environment and Climate Change (DECC).

The forum, in Bankstown on June 11, will help businesses reduce their use of raw materials, energy and water, and look at ways to cut the amount of waste they generate. The forum will also highlight how businesses can get involved in DECC’s Sustainability Advantage and Green Business programs.

“This event is a great opportunity for businesses to find out more about becoming more resource efficient, and will give attendees the chance to ask the experts for advice,” said Stephen Beaman, manager of Waste Operations, DECC.

“Companies like Astor Electroplating and Focus Press, which will take part in the event, already have runs on the board when it comes to resource efficiency. They will talk from experience about the benefits of becoming more efficient and some of the technologies and processes available to businesses.”

The forum will also cover the recent legislative reforms that affect Waste Activity Licences.

DECC has also taken this opportunity to completely overhaul 'waste activity' licensing. It is now clear that where specific industries have on site the more hazardous wastes, they will need a licence.

This change also better aligns licensing with environmental risk – around 300 businesses that now hold an environment protection licence will no longer need to do so. While DECC will remain the appropriate regulatory authority for these businesses, they will no longer need to pay licence administration fees and complete annual returns.

For more information, contact Lara Barrington.