All staff are expected to be aware of and implement the ‘Greener Office’ program that works to minimise waste, improve energy efficiency and conserve water in the main office building located in Bridge Street, Bendigo.

Minimising waste means:

• avoiding the creation of waste
• reusing materials
• recycling where possible
• buying recycled-content products.

In practice, this has resulted in Coliban Water implementing the following waste minimisation program recommendations;

REUSE

• That reuse of paper that has only been used on one side be increased.  This could be achieved by:         

• Actively encouraging duplex printing;
• Collection and conversion of single-sided paper into notepads; and
• Promotion of the Reduce – Reuse – Recycle philosophy.

RECYCLE

• That all plastic bag-lined bins at workstations be removed and be replaced with a waste paper basket for recycling of paper products only.
• That recycling bins for bottles, plastics and cans be placed at strategic locations around the office.
• That additional paper product recycling bins be placed around the office and in meeting rooms.
• Continue use of printer/photocopier/fax machine consumables recycling service.
• That paper towel from bathrooms and tea stations is diverted to the recycling stream.

In optimising energy efficiency, Coliban Water acknowledges that sustainable energy usage is about using energy wisely and where possible, using energy generated from clean sources and clean technologies.  Wise energy use is the first step to ensuring we have sustainable energy for present and future generations.

Being efficient with our energy will reduce our energy bills, reduce the amount of energy we need to produce in the first place and cut energy related greenhouse pollution.

We can further improve Victoria's sustainable energy efforts by sourcing more of our energy from clean, green renewable sources.