Section 3 - Management & Accountability (continued)
Ecologically Sustainable Development
The Mint continued to focus on how it could improve its environmental management practices in 2007–08, and has taken new initiatives, which have helped the Mint to improve performance under its Environmental Policy.
A review of operational procedures and processes has focused on providing specific strategies, including energy supply, energy use, delivery of goods and services, and redesign of production process flows, to achieve greater savings and increase conservation and waste minimisation.
Environmental Management
The Mint’s Environment Management System has been improved to make sure ISO 14001:1996 standards are achieved. This has included a review of the Integrated Management Manual to improve the non-wasteful use of resources, and to reduce potential hazards to human health and the environment from emissions and wastes.
The Mint encouraged the shared subscription of publications and promoted the substitution of electronic communications for paper and print media.
The Mint has improved the recycling program for staff and visitors that includes new disposal procedures for classified, non-classified documents and packing materials.
The Mint maintained water conservation measures during the period by:
- compliance with stage 3 water restrictions
- monitoring of water consumption and the use of timers on manufacturing and production equipment with exception reporting at 15 minute time intervals
- cessation of watering of lawns and gardens
- cessation of programmed window washing and
- increased maintenance, including taps and showers in bathrooms and kitchens.
Water consumption for this year was 16,204 kilolitres; a small increase of 7 per cent over the last year because of the resumption of coin production, following refurbishment processes.
Energy Management
The Mint has further improved its maintenance programs by monitoring all systems to reduce the consumption of energy. A consultant has been engaged to develop a new maintenance program for the safe and efficient operation of all building services.
Natural gas consumption was 3.5 million megajoules for the year and electricity consumption was 2.4 megawatts. This is a decrease of approximately 33 per cent and 11 per cent respectively on the previous year. The electricity consumption figure includes the additional requirements from building refurbishment construction activity.
A partial handover of the refurbished areas has enabled the use of the new energy monitoring system through the upgraded Building Management System.
Energy consumption for 2008–09 is expected to remain the same as in the previous year, pending the final handover and completion of the building refurbishment in mid 2009; following which, it is anticipated that further benefits and associated cost savings will be forthcoming, with the full implementation of measures being provided for by the building refurbishment.