Bunnings steps up sustainability commitments

14 May 2007

Bunnings steps up sustainability commitments

Bunnings today further reinforced its leadership stance and commitment to sustainability by announcing a further $8 million investment in new environmental projects and commitments across New Zealand and Australia, involving:

* a goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2015 or earlier with new programmes to accelerate the drive to achieve the goal - $2 million over two years;

* inviting submissions and offering grants to develop Bunnings carbon offsetting projects; and

* plans to fit every Bunnings Warehouse store in sub-tropical mainland Australia with rainwater harvesting tanks - $6 million over two years.

Carbon Neutrality and Climate Change Actions

Bunnings is committing to become carbon neutral[i] by 2015 or earlier across New Zealand and Australia. Bunnings has explored energy efficiency projects over the past few years, but more work is needed to accelerate progress towards the carbon neutral goal. Two new major projects have been announced:

1. A new research partnership with Western Australia's Murdoch University, to investigate commercially feasible ways to reduce Bunnings' reliance on current grid sourced energy in Australia and New Zealand. This will include exploring micro-generation of renewable and/or hybrid energy sources for Bunnings Warehouses. Bunnings will be investing an initial $400,000 to $500,000 into this project over the next two years.

2. Bunnings is inviting submissions and offering generous grants for carbon offsetting projects that can be conducted over the next two years. $1.5 million to $1.6 million of funding is being allocated for these projects which will create carbon offsets to address Bunnings' carbon emissions in the short term whilst Bunnings explores ways to further reduce these emissions. Interested organisations can refer to the Bunnings website for information on the application process.

Rainwater Harvesting

Over the next two years all Bunnings Warehouses in sub-tropical mainland Australia will be given the capacity to save 30,000 litres of rainwater at each site, to be used to irrigate outdoor nurseries and flush toilets.

While these water saving initiatives are to be undertaken in Australia over the next two years, their introduction will be monitored closely with a view to potential future implementation across Bunnings' New Zealand stores.

This $6 million investment will mean a reduction of mains water usage by up to 80 per cent in some stores. Through this project alone Bunnings projects a saving of 250,000 kilolitres per year across its Australian stores, based on average rainfalls - the equivalent of 102 Olympic swimming pools.

These rainwater harvesting and climate change announcements are the result of over three years of trials and research, and build on sustainability work Bunnings done over the past five years which has included timber procurement and plastic bag initiatives. They are a clear indication of the company's ongoing commitment to making a meaningful difference in the area of sustainability.

Managing Director of Bunnings, John Gillam, said, "It is vital for our business to work harder at being more sustainable. Across New Zealand and Australia, people are looking for practical ways to address climate change issues and they are also acutely aware that we need to conserve water supplies. Our actions are simply a responsible way of responding to these challenges."

Mr Gillam continued "Within our stores, the planned research work with Murdoch University will enable us to learn from their internationally recognised renewable energy and environmental competencies. Murdoch University is very well placed to advise us on renewable energy and energy efficiency opportunities as well as improvements to our built environment and building standards. We are excited about what we will achieve through this work and our carbon offsetting projects."

"We know customers are making great efforts to reduce water and energy usage at home. Bunnings is in a unique position to help customers by making it easier and more affordable for them to make a real contribution to reducing the impact of climate change in their homes," said Mr Gillam.

Bunnings looks forward to sharing the progress of these projects with the community in the coming years.

ENDS

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