Small steps to big rewards and sustainability
More often that not when we get a call from the council its because we have to comply with something — but its not like that any more, he said.
Humphreys, the general manger of Canterbury Laundry Services, is a staunch advocate of the councils new Target Sustainability programme.
Prime Minister Helen Clark launched the initiative at the council chambers yesterday.
The project aims to make Christchurch businesses more environmentally sustainable by providing free energy advice.
Humphreys laundry service now recycles the heat in its hot water that is otherwise destined for the drain.
We realised that we were putting down the drain water that was about 40 degrees and theres a lot of energy in that, Humphreys said.
The company spent $120,000 on advanced heat exchange equipment. It uses the wastewater to heat up cold water, saving $70,000 to $80,000 on its energy bill.
The laundry service also has bought expensive driers which use the heat normally vented from the machines.
In another initiative, city council electronic monitoring found a way to operate the machines using 600 less litres of water every hour.
That saved $10,000 a year, he said.
The Prime Minister was impressed by the initiatives.
The firm had recognised it was critical to save water and had acted, she said. It was music to my ears. The story told by Bruce Humphreys shows how small steps can get big rewards.
Clark said Target Sustainability strategies could provide businesses with a competitive marketing edge.
The initiative was supported by Canterbury Chamber of Commerce chief executive Peter Townsend, who also spoke at yesterdays launch. Its good economic management to conserve resources in your company _ its just common sense.
