Schiavello’s Smart Business Sustainability Award
Schiavello, one of Australia’s largest designers and manufacturers of commercial furniture, was recently recognised for its commitment to the environment at the ACT Smart Business Sustainability Awards. This marks the second time Schiavello’s sustainability programs in ACT have received an award from the annual event.
Receiving top honours within the Corporate award category, Schiavello has been continuously improving its environmental performance since pioneering environmental management in the industry in 1997. This has involved a range of activities from material research and development, Life Cycle Analysis, clean production efforts, energy conservation, de-materialisation, emissions reduction, and waste minimisation through re-use, reduction and recycling.
A key initiative, Schiavello’s e-cycle program recovers Schiavello furniture at the end of its life for “up-cycling.” Restoration can include re-powder coating, replacing parts and re-assembly. The reintroduction of e-cycled products can increase Green Star credits, and present a cost-effective solution for reducing a company’s environmental impact. The program was previously recognised for its innovative approach to sustainability at the ACTSmart Business and Office Awards, winning the “Biggest reduction of waste to landfill” and “Innovation excellence” categories.
Schiavello ACT joined the ACTSmart program in 2011, and has since reduced its contribution to landfill by 22%, reduced paper consumption by 56%, and cardboard use by 40%. This year alone, e-cycle has averted 202 tonnes of materials away from landfill. Once the product is re-used, this converts to a savings of 5,640 tonnes of CO2 and 622,000 litres of water.
According to ACTSmart, the Sustainability Awards recognise outstanding sustainability contributions of organisations across Canberra. The awards celebrate efficient use of water and energy; better waste management and recycling practices as well as achievements in projects representing exemplary sustainability practices.
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