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Green Office Guide
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To order a hard copy version of the UWA Green Office Guide
(printed on 100% recycled paper) please contact Environmental
Services.
Contents
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Introducing the Green Office
Global warming. Water quality. Air pollution. Landfills. There
are some very compelling reasons for making your office resource
efficient and environmentally friendly.
Every day in every office, classroom and workspace across UWA
decisions are made that impact heavily on the state of our
environment. Should I put that old report in recycling or in
general waste? Should I shut down my computer while I’m at
this afternoon’s two hour meeting? Is it up to me to report
that dripping tap? Should I turn out the lights as I leave the
meeting room? Do I need a hard copy of this document? These might
seem like very small matters, but multiplied by 4,000 staff and
16,000 students, these small factors become a very large
environmental footprint.
Reducing our impact on the environment is one of the major
social priorities for Australians in the new century. Achieving
this is the responsibility of every person as an individual and
as a member of the broader society. Many people have already
begun to make changes at home that will reduce the environmental
consequences of every day actions.
This manual discusses ways you can help to make your office
more environmentally friendly. Whether your department is small
or large, there are many things that you can do to green your
space and make a difference. By taking a close look at your
office procedures, identifying possible improvements and
implementing and communicating changes, you and your co-workers
can significantly reduce your office’s impact on the
environment.
The keys to efficient resource use are the 3 R’s of
waste management:
Reduce: Wherever possible, it is best to
reduce materials, energy and water consumption.
Reuse: If a product or material still has
value in its existing form, every effort should be made to reuse
it.
Recycle: Recycle only materials that cannot
be reused in their existing form. Never put in general waste
anything that can be recycled.
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Notes for Management (why do we need a green office?)
It makes good business sense.
In common with all other businesses on the planet, UWA is
dependent on services provided by the natural environment
(‘ecosystem services’). These include paper, energy,
water and food, pest and pathogen control, and much more.
At present, most businesses significantly impact on the
natural environment by using services and adopting processes that
contribute to ecosystem change (United Nations Millennium
Ecosystem Assessment report). If businesses do not start
operating in a sustainable fashion, the services that are freely
available today will cease to be available or will become much
more costly in the very near future.
Add to your bottom line through resource efficiency.
Adopting the UWA Green Office Programme in your
area will enable your department to significantly reduce costs
associated with resource consumption. The following are a couple
of simple examples showing how big savings can be made with
minimal changes to your office’s operational
procedures.
Reduce paper consumption.
Most paper consumed at UWA is printed on one side
only. By pre-setting printers and copiers to print double-sided,
your department can potentially halve, or close to halve, the
costs associated with paper purchase and delivery. Encouraging
staff to read electronic documents rather than printing them off
will create further savings.
Reduce energy consumption.
According to the Australian National University
Green Office Programme Review (2001), 35% of office energy is
expended on lighting, 20% on heating, cooling and ventilation and
20% on office equipment. Improvements in energy efficiency
(lighting, office equipment, heating, cooling and ventilation)
have the potential to reduce the consumption, and hence cost, of
power in your area.
Reduce water consumption.
Reporting dripping taps and leaking pipes as soon
as they are noticed has the potential to save many thousands of
litres of water, and associated costs, each year.
Improve the corporate image.
Businesses that adopt sustainable practices in
line with environmental and social issues derive enormous
marketing benefits from positive media coverage and improved
community perceptions.
Stay ahead of legislation.
Loss of ecosystem services will significantly
affect externalities in the business environment. It will
influence regulatory regimes, governmental policies, employee
well-being and the availability and cost of finance and
insurance. By implementing sustainable business practices now,
UWA will be ahead of legislative changes, rather than responding
to them.
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Lighting
Use daylight wherever possible
If you are lucky enough to have a bright office space with plenty
of windows, you may be able to switch off or dim some, if not
all, of the lights on sunny days.
Clean dirty lamps and fittings
Cleaning lamps and fittings will enable you to maximise your
lighting efficiency. Clean globes and fittings cast more light
than dirty ones, enabling you to get the same amount of light
from fewer lamps. Lamps generally require cleaning every six to
twelve months, depending on the area in which they are installed.
Contact FM Jobs on extension 2025 if your lights look dirty and
ask to have them cleaned.
Turn lights off
If there are areas in your workspace that are often unoccupied
(such as meeting rooms, kitchens and toilets) make it a habit to
turn off lights when they are vacant. Put stickers on switches in
these areas to remind people. Make sure all lights in your work
area are switched off at the end of the day.
Use more efficient lighting
If there are any old-style globes (incandescent lights) in your
work area, call Facilities Management (extension 2025) to
organise replacement with compact fluorescent green tubes. These
use less than one quarter of the energy of a conventional globe
and last around 10 times longer.
Delamp fixtures
Remove lamps (for example, from every second fixture) in common
areas such as hallways and open office areas wherever
appropriate. This is a once-only action will immediately reduce
your consumption without impacting on staff at all.
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Office equipment
Switch equipment offOne computer left on in
full power mode 24/7 for one year can result in over 700kg of CO2
being released into the atmosphere (Harvard University Green
Campus Initiative) – that’s more than 1kg for
every 12 operating hours. It is therefore essential that you
turn office equipment off when it is not in use. Environmental
Services recommends switching off your computer monitor if you
are going to be away from your desk for more than 20 minutes, as
monitors use most of the power, and switching off your entire
machine if it will not be used for one hour or longer. Making one
staff member in your office responsible for turning off all
shared equipment at the end of each day can prove very
useful.
Use the stand-by mode
Most modern office equipment is fitted with a stand-by mode that
can be pre-set to a time that suits the needs of workers in your
office (Environmental Services recommends 10 – 15 minutes).
A typical printer in stand-by mode will consume only 10% of its
standard operational energy.
Purchase ‘green’ office
equipmentPurchasing energy efficient office equipment
generally doesn’t cost extra and will provide significant
savings for the department over the life of the machine. The
following aspects should be considered when purchasing any new
equipment for the office:
• All new office equipment should feature Energy Star1 power
saving options.
• Energy Star1 features should be enabled on the equipment
by the supplier prior to, or at the point of, delivery.
• All equipment rated under the Appliance Star2 labelling
scheme should be rated 3 stars of better (post-2001 scale).
** 1. ENERGY STAR is an international standard for energy
efficient electronic equipment. **2. APPLIANCE STAR is an
alternative ratings system sometimes used by the Australian
Greenhouse Office.
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Recycling
General recycling
Together with significant amounts of waste paper (see below), UWA
recycles or arranges recycling of a whole range of other
materials and equipment including:
• Cardboard
• Glass bottles and jars
• Plastic containers
• Aluminium and steel cans
• Milk and juice cartons
• Old furniture
• Computers
• Toner cartridges
If you would like more information on how or where to recycle
absolutely everything that is recyclable contact Environmental
Services on extension 7391 or 3534.
Paper recyclingEvery year 200,000 hectares of
Australian native forests (roughly equivalent in size to the ACT)
are logged unsustainably. Over 50% of this is reduced to woodchip
for the purpose of producing paper (Wilderness Society). Using
less virgin white paper (such as Reflex) will reduce the stress
on our native forests and associated ecosystems and help to
decrease rates of habitat destruction and biodiversity
decline.
Print and copy double-sided
Most modern printers and copiers are capable of printing on both
sides of the page and most can be pre-programmed to default to
this setting. When buying new copying and printing equipment, ask
the supplier to preset the machine to print double-sided.
Documents requiring single-side presentation are very simply and
easily formatted prior to printing.
Use more scrap paper
A large proportion of paper used at UWA is printed on one side
only. Make the most of the resource by making A4 or A5 notepads
of bound or stapled once-used sheets. Keep a ‘once used
paper’ box near every printer and copier in your department
and educate and encourage you colleagues to use them.
Recycle paperEnvironmental Services provides
small recycle bins for each desk or workspace plus larger bins
(blue with red lids) for bulk and outside recycling needs. UWA
currently recycles around 60% of its paper waste (mostly
environmentally unsound, virgin white paper), however there is
potential to increase this to 85% or even more.
To improve recycling rates in your department, it is important
that every work station is equipped with a VISY recycling bin. To
order additional bins for your area (large or small), contact
Environmental Services on 6488 7391 or 6488 3534.
Purchase recycled paper
It is a commonly held belief that recycled paper, or paper with
recycled content, is inferior to virgin paper. However, due to
process and equipment improvements, this is no longer the case.
There are a wide number of recycled paper brands that are well
suited to modern printing and copying equipment (see section,
‘Helpful tips for Purchasers), and most copy manufacturers
(including Fuji Xerox and Canon) will provide a list of specified
brands of recycled paper products recommended for use in their
machines. Buy paper with the highest percentage (at least 70%) of
‘post-consumer’ recycled content that also meets your
price and performance needs.
Monash University has been successfully using Exp 50R recycled
content copy paper (available through Corporate Express) for
large volume printing in its libraries since early 2002.
Nb. ‘Post consumer’ refers to materials that have
already been used and recycled, as opposed to manufacturing
scraps.
Use unbleached paper
The conventional bleaching process used to make pure white and
coloured paper creates a substance called dioxin. Dioxin is
highly toxic (it’s a known carcinogen) and pollutes our
air, soil and water.
Buying unbleached paper or paper that has been bleached using
alternative processes, such as oxygen treatment, contributes to
reducing the existence of these dangerous chemical by-products in
our environment.
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Heating and Cooling
According to the Australian Greenhouse Office, more than
60% of gaseous emissions from office buildings are the result of
heating, cooling and ventilation. While heating and cooling
efficiencies in your office or workspace will generally be the
responsibility of Facilities Management and the Central Plant,
there are a number of things that you and your colleagues can do
to reduce your energy consumption.
Dress appropriately for the seasonBy dressing
appropriately, you can reduce your reliance on building air
conditioning systems for personal comfort.
Only use it if you need itIf you are able to
manually control air conditioning in your work area (ie. have the
ability to turn it on or off), Environmental Services recommends
using it only when absolutely necessary. In Perth’s
temperate climate, heating is generally only required first thing
in the morning on cold days. If you notice your office is getting
stuffy in winter, TURN THE AIRCONDITIONING OFF. You will be less
inclined to get sleepy, and you’ll reduce power costs and
your greenhouse impact as well. In Summer, ensure temperatures
are comfortable and not freezing. If you are getting too cold,
please call Central Plant on (ext. 2009) to report the problem
and ask for temperatures to be increased.
Maximise natural ventilation
If it’s a nice day and you can open the windows in your
work area, do so. Not only will you save on heating and cooling
costs, you will reduce greenhouse emissions and also feel
healthier and more alert during working hours.
Report any building leaks
Any air ‘leaks’ in your building will reduce heating
and cooling efficiencies. If you notice any drafts in your
office, particularly around windows, please contact FM Jobs (ext.
2025) to get the area sealed.
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Water
Together with landscaping and heating/ cooling needs, UWA
uses significant amounts of this precious resource in kitchens,
bathrooms and cleaning facilities. Because each department will
use its water differently, each will have its own approach to
conservation. However, there are some basic initiatives (outlined
below) that will save water in every workplace on campus,
regardless of your area’s core activities.
Fix leaksIf you notice a leaking toilet or
tap in your work area, please report it immediately to Facilities
Management on 6488 2025. A single leaking toilet in your office
will add an average 34,000 litres per annum to the
university’s water consumption, even if the toilet is never
flushed. A leaking sink tap will add an average 13,500 litres per
annum.
Replace inefficient appliancesIf you have a
dishwasher in your office kitchen, please use it only when it has
been fully stacked, and use on the shortest cycle available. When
purchasing a new dishwasher, why not look into buying one that
filters and recirculates water. You’ll use roughly
one-third the water, half the detergent, and one-third the
electricity of conventional models.
Replace inefficient fixtures
Water-efficient fixtures serve to decrease your water and energy
consumption, taking less water and less heating energy to do the
same job. Examples of water efficient fixtures that might work in
your office include:
• Single lever mixer taps – minimise wastage by
pre-selecting the hot-cold ratio, thereby reducing the time
needed to run water while you correct the temperature.
• Flow restrictors – attached to mixer taps and
showerheads, these fixtures reduce water flow from 15 – 20
litres per minute to 6 litres per minute.
• Dual flush and ultra low flow toilet cisterns and
waterless urinals – when replacing old toilets and urinals
ensure new fixtures are installed to maximise water
efficiency.
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Commuting
According to an ISTP report produced for the World Bank,
Perth has one of the most inefficient and wasteful transport
systems in the world. We are highly dependent on the private
motor vehicle for all our transport needs, and our transport
energy use per capita is second only to that of the USA.
The environmental consequences of our extreme reliance on the
private motor vehicle include:
• Local air pollution
• Increased rate of global warming
• Water pollution (lead, oil, grease and other contaminants
from road runoff)
• Excessive energy consumption and associated resource
depletion
• Land sacrifice (loss of public open space and urban
conservation zones to transport infrastructure)
• Noise pollution
• Wildlife disturbance and loss of biodiversity
Environmental Services appreciates that not everyone has the
luxury of choosing an alternative transport to the private car
– you may live too far from the campus and not have access
to regular public transport, you may have children or other
commitments for which you require a private car - but if you live
within 10 km of the Crawley campus, have no children or other
commitments between work and home and generally leave and arrive
home during daylight hours, you may like to consider the
alternative options available to you. These are outlined in the
following sections.
Give the bus a go!
Because of its location on the corner of Stirling Highway and
Winthrop Avenue, UWA is well placed for public transport access.
The campus is regularly serviced along its northern edge by the
#102, #107, #78 and #23, as well as the very popular
‘Circle Route’ buses (#98 / #99).
Avoid the city by catching the train to Subiaco and hop aboard
the Shuttle to come to campus. The #97, which deviates to QEII
Medical Centre, travels in an almost direct route from Subiaco
Train Station to UWA, making the trip time short and convenient.
It’s a stress-free way to commute, and to go shopping or
have lunch in Subiaco during the day without any parking
problems.
If you have access to the web, you can find the
buses/trains/ferries you need to catch, and the times you need to
catch them, to get to anywhere in the Perth metropolitan region
– all at the push of a button. Just type in where you are,
and where you are going to. It’s easy! To find out more,
log on to Transperth
Journey Planner.
Get on your bike!
Situated on the picturesque banks of Matilda Bay, UWA is
easily accessed by bike along the rivers. Good quality dual use
pathways exist around most of the river foreshore, which is a
relatively easy ride for both beginners and regular cyclists. The
University is aware of the safety issues for people who need to
cross Stirling Hwy, and are working to do something about this
situation.
The UWA Bicycle User Group (BUG) has been developed to give a
voice to cyclists at UWA, and to facilitate improved conditions
for all cyclists on campus. If you have questions about cycling,
or cycling to UWA specifically, are interested in getting
together with like minded people for social rides and information
sessions, have ideas for improving cycling facilities at UWA, or
think steps can be taken to improve your cycling route, then
contact the University BUG.
Take a hike!
If you live within 1 or 2km of the University, walking may be
the ideal way for you to commute. One of the main reasons people
give for choosing not to walk is the time involved. This is often
overestimated. The Heart Foundation has produced the following
‘walking calculator’ to help you work out how long it
will take you to walk here instead…
Walking Speed Time
10 minutes 20 minutes 30 minutes
SLOW 0.6km 1.2km 1.8km
MEDIUM 0.9km 1.8km 2.7km
FAST 1.1km 2.2km 3.3km
Source: ‘Walk There Today – Your Guide for Leisure
and Transport’ (Dept for Planning and Infrastructure, Dept
of Sport and Recreation, Heart Foundation – 2003)
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Greening your space
Research shows that introducing vegetation into your work
space has significant benefits for you and your
co-workers.
Better office airModern office and teaching
facilities tend to contain large amounts of synthetic materials
including carpeting, paint and furniture. Synthetic materials
emit a variety of toxic vapours, all of which are dangerous to
human health.
NASA research has conclusively shown that houseplants physically
extract volatile organic chemicals from the air during the
process of photosynthesis. Chemicals found in high concentrations
in office environments that were significantly reduced when
plants were introduced include
• formaldehyde
• benzene
• xylene
• toluene
• ammonia
According to the study, one six inch (15cm) houseplant per 100
square feet (9m2) acts as an efficient air filter, and will make
a significant difference to air quality.
Healthier and more productive staff
• Improvements to air quality in your office or teaching
space will significantly reduce staff and student absenteeism,
commonly associated with ‘sick building syndrome’.
• Staff and student concentration levels will increase as
ambient carbon dioxide levels decrease.
• One study found that houseplants reduce fatigue, coughs,
sore throats and other cold-related symptoms by more than 30%.
• Plants look nice and improve your mood.
Choosing and sourcing appropriate species
While Environmental Services recommends local native plant
species be used in outdoor landscaping applications, indoor pot
plants recommendations are primarily for exotic species hybrids
capable of living in light-deprived, often air conditioned
environments. Provided you never let your office plant loose in
your garden or bushland, it is unlikely to ever pose an
environmental problem.
Even the hardiest of indoor plants may find it difficult to
survive in some office environments, especially air conditioned
spaces with little available light. To ensure plant health is
maintained in these areas, Environmental Services recommends
using one of several local plant hire companies. These businesses
circulate their plants between office and greenhouse
environments, swapping your office plants every few weeks for
fresh versions of the same species.
The following is a list of hardy container species that
might be suited to your office space:
Aglaonema sp. (Chinese Evergreen) - Very hardy plants
that can grow in very dim lit rooms where other plants would not
survive. There are many varieties available in a range of colours
and leaf shapes.
Aspidistra elatior (Cast Iron Plant) - A very hardy
species, the Cast Iron Plant will survive practically anywhere
indoors. It first received its common name in Victorian times
when the fumes from gas lighting killed most other plants.
Bromeliad sp. (Bromeliad) - Most Bromeliads are easy to
grow indoors and vary in size from 2cm to 1m tall. They have
attractive forms and leaf colours, and many have flowers that can
last for months.
Cacti - Cacti are very easy plants to grow. They tolerate
neglect but thrive when given good care. They adapt very well to
the dry conditions often found in office buildings.
Chlorophytum sp. (Spider Plant) - Spider plants require
some filtered light, and will grow well near an office window.
They are very hardy and will tolerate dry soils for weeks at a
time.
Dieffenbachia (Dumb Cane) - Dieffenbachias tolerate a wide
range of indoor conditions. They are popular in homes and offices
for their large and often colourful leaves. Depending on the
variety, a mature potted Dieffenbachia can be anywhere from 1 to
2m in height.
Dracaena deremensis - Dracaenas are hardy plants, and this
particular species will tolerate low light and infrequent
watering. They require reasonably warm temperatures, and will
drop leaves if left in a cold environment for extended periods.
Fatshedera (Tree Ivy) - Fatshedera will grow well indoors
in filtered light and will withstand a wide range of temperature
conditions. If the room is dry during winter, stand the pot on a
tray of pebbles and water to increase the humidity.
Ferns - There are many species of fern that will tolerate
being kept indoors for long periods. Choose a hardy variety that
prefers a sheltered position in full shade.
Ficus elastica (Rubber Tree) - The Rubber Tree is tolerant
of a wide variety of indoor conditions. Growing from 80cm to 3m
in height, its bold, deep green leaves will add a natural feel to
your work space.
Hedera helix (Ivy varieties) - There are many decorative
ivy varieties suitable for trailers, low bowls and hanging
baskets. Being an understorey family, most ivy species are suited
to filtered light conditions, and will grow well near an office
window.
Maranta sp. (Prayer Plant) - Marantas are showy plants
that are highly tolerant of low light conditions. High humidity
is essential for these species to thrive, so place the pot on a
tray of pebbles and water to increase water vapour around the
leaves.
Monstera deliciosa (Fruit Salad Plant) - Monsteras grow
well in filtered light positions and will thrive near an office
window. Again, high humidity is essential to plant health, so
place the pot on a tray of pebbles and water.
Palms (particularly Neanthe Bella) - Palms are a hardy
species that will tolerate low light conditions. They cannot be
pruned, so make sure you pick a variety of the appropriate size.
Philodendron sp. - These plants like to be positioned near
a window where bright or filtered light is available most of the
day. During hot conditions stand the pot on a tray of pebbles and
water to increase the humidity. Misting foliage with water will
also help to create good conditions for plant health.
Sanseviera sp. (Mother-in-law’s Tongue) -
Mother-in-laws Tongues are very hardy though they are partial to
bright sunlight, so a window position is ideal. They will survive
in low light conditions but will not grow.
Spathiphyllum (Spoon Lily or Peace Lily) - These lilies
are hardy plants that grow well in filtered light. Do not place
in direct sunlight as this will burn the leaves. They like high
humidity so place pot on a tray of pebbles and water to improve
growing conditions.
Syngonium sp. - Syngoniums are ideal office plants. They
thrive in low light conditions, provided their pots are placed on
trays of pebbles and water to maintain humidity. They can be
trained to climb up a trellis or pole, and also trail well in a
hanging basket or raised pot.
SPECIES INFORMATION SOURCED FROM THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO
INDOOR GARDENING (Seale, 1986)
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Tips for purchasers
Green purchasing includes the acquisition of recycled
content products, environmentally preferable products and
services, bio-based products, energy- and water- efficient
products, alternate fuel vehicles, products using renewable
energy, and alternatives to hazardous or toxic
chemicals.
Purchasing criteria
(questions to ask about every office product you buy)
- Is it essential to buy the product? Can it be leased or
rented?
- Is the product made using mainly recycled or raw (not
processed) materials?
- Does production or extraction of the product cause
environmental damage, such as loss of habitats or
pollution?
- Are there alternatives available to the product you intend
to purchase that will do the same job but create less
damage?
- Is packaging made from recycled materials?
- Is the item easily upgraded?
- Can the product be re-used, refilled, recharged or
reconditioned to extend its life?
- Can the product be recycled through the UWA recycling
programme?
- If the product draws on power supplies, is it the most
energy efficient option?
- Is the product or its components toxic or otherwise
hazardous? Does it come with an MSDS (Material Safety Data
Sheet)? Are there any less toxic alternatives available?
- Is the product accredited with a recognised environmental
standard?
- Does the supplier have an environmental management sytem to
maximise the sustainability of their product/s?
- Is the product manufactured and/ or supplied locally?
- Can product packaging be reduced or eliminated?
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Information and assistance
Sustainable campus operations & Green Office
development
UWA Environmental Services provides advice, practical
assistance and limited funding for Sustainable campus operations
and Green Office development initiatives. If you would like to
make your workspace more sustainable but are not sure where to
start, please contact us.
Sustainable commuting
If you would like to save money, get fit and benefit the
environment, why not catch the bus, ride a bike or walk to
UWA?
• Environmental Services
Sustainable Commuting promotions and events, including the annual
UWA Bike Breakfast, the Staff Walk There Today luncheon and the
UWA Bus Breakfast
Email environ@admin.uwa.edu.au or
telephone 6488 7391
• UWA Bicycle User Group (BUG)
Social rides and events, beginner cyclist support, lobby group
for cycling issues, bicycle maintenance courses (Beginners and
Advanced) and bicycle shop discounts
Web http://sponsored.uwa.edu.au/bug/welcome
• Transperth Journey Planner
Want to know the quickest way from home to work? Or when and
where to catch a bus or train to get you anywhere in Perth? Log
on to Transperth Journey planner at http//www.transperth.wa.gov.au.
• UWA Planning and Design
Development of alternative transport options, including a wide
range of information regarding public transport, cycling and
walking to UWA
Email froberts@admin.uwa.edu.au
or telephone 6488 2041.
Energy conservation
Australian Greenhouse
Office (AGO)
Energy Smart
Western Australian Office
of Energy
NaturalPower
Energy Rating
Greenworld
Recycling
VISY (Australia)
Recycling
Waste Management Board (Western
Australia)
SITA Environmental
Solutions
Wastewise WA
Water conservation
Our Water
Future
Water
Corporation
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