NZGBC members celebrated at Sustainable Business Awards

NZGBC members celebrated at Sustainable Business Network Awards

Two members of the New Zealand Green Building Council (NZGBC) were recognised for environmental leadership at the annual NZI Sustainable Business Network Awards earlier this evening [subs: November 24].

Laminex New Zealand won an award and Kiwi Property Group a commendation for their green initiatives, ranging from waste reduction to sustainable design. Both companies are long-time NZGBC members. Eight other NZGBC members were also shortlisted for awards.

Alex Cutler, NZGBC’s chief executive, says the awards recognise innovative initiatives that are providing tangible benefits for businesses and the community.

“We’re thrilled to congratulate Laminex New Zealand and Kiwi Property Group, and all other NZGBC finalists, on their achievements,” says Ms Cutler. “These awards prove that economic success and a dedication to sustainability aren’t mutually exclusive – in fact, focusing on sustainability makes for a more efficient, profitable business.”

· Laminex New Zealand won the Energy Management Award for manufacturing waste reduction at its Taupo site. The company, which provides decorative surfaces and panel products, runs a range of internal initiatives; in the 12 months from 31 July 2014, Laminex recycled 88 per cent of the 2.5 million kilos of waste it produced.

· Kiwi Property Group, a property investment company, received a commendation in the Renewables Impact category for integrating sustainable design in its shopping centres. It made environmentally sustainable design a guiding principle for the development of Sylvia Park Shopping Centre, where this year it installed New Zealand’s largest photovoltaic solar panel array. It also offers Sylvia Park customers free chargers for electric vehicles.

The NZGBC member-organisation finalists were:

· Auckland Council:

o Oruarangi Stream project (Restorative Innovation Award)

o Pollution Prevention (Restorative Impact Award)

o Waicare (Restorative Impact Award)

· Auckland Council/Fletcher Construction (Mega Efficiency Innovation Award)

· AUT (Mega Efficiency Innovation Award)

· BNZ (Community Innovation Award)

· Louise Baker, Opus International Consultants (Sustainability Champion Award)

· Panuku Development Auckland (Community Impact Award)

· Resene (Mega Efficiency Impact Award)

· Shane Hagai, Winstone Aggregates (Sustainability Champion Award)

· Viv Heslop, Panuku Development Auckland (Sustainability Champion Award).

The annual SBN awards have been running for 13 years and celebrate the contribution of businesses, government agencies, social enterprises and individuals to making New Zealand a more sustainable nation.

ENDS

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