Sustainable business
View our Business Sustainability Action Map
Our map showcases the sustainability actions and commitments local businesses are making. You'll find businesses that are certified carbon neutral, recycling hair, reducing fashion waste, implementing coffee cup return schemes, reducing plastics and installing solar panels.
View the map
Email us if you'd like to add your business to the map.
Get Involved
Making your business more sustainable can save you money while reducing your impact on the environment.
Our new sustainability program, Our Environment Our Business supports and showcases local businesses and not-for-profits who are leading the way with sustainability action.
Download our Business Sustainability Action Pack(PDF, 1MB)
Mud Australia say they're always looking to do things better — be it design, making, workplace, social or environmental. They've taken action on this commitment and recently announced they're carbon neutral. Mud has a store in Double Bay.
Learn how this ceramics business became certified Carbon Neutral.
Why get involved?
- We’ll link you with discounts, services, mentoring and information to help you reduce your energy bills, manage your waste, select sustainable products and reduce your water consumption.
- We’ll help make your sustainability actions more visible by providing opportunities to showcase your business and the steps you’re taking.
How do I get started?
Step 1. Review the material below or download our Business Sustainability Action Pack(PDF, 1MB) . Then discuss your situation with our team to consider your current sustainability actions, your future plans and resources available to support you.
Step 2. Make a sustainability action pledge and share your story with us so we can print your certificate, create your social media tile and add you to the sustainability action map. Your pledge might include actions such as:
- We’ve replaced our old lighting with energy-efficient LEDs.
- We’ve switched to paper straws and bamboo cutlery.
- Our staff are walking and cycling to work.
- All our paper products are certified by the Forest Stewardship Council.
- We’ve upgraded to water efficient appliances.
Step 3. Make your actions more visible by sharing them through your own social media, shop displays and business profile.
How will we share your story?
We’ll help you get the word out about your sustainability action by:
- Creating a tailored sustainability pledge certificate for display at your shopfront
- Making a sharable social media tile that highlights the actions you’ve taken
- Adding your business or organisation to our sustainability action map
- Profiling your business’s sustainability actions in Woollahra Council’s newsletters and social media.
Get started today
- Talk to our Sustainability Team on 02 9391 7000 or send us an email
- Click on the topic headings below to access tips, discounts, services and mentoring support.
Energy
How can I save money and reduce CO2 emissions?
Reducing energy use can reduce your costs, improve your business reputation and reduce your impact on the environment.
Actions you can take:
1. Check the NSW Government incentives
Find support for business upgrades including:
- lighting
- hot water systems
- solar panels
- air-conditioning system
- commercial refrigerator
2. Purchase GreenPower
Choosing 100% GreenPower is a quick and easy way to get on board with renewable energy if you're renting your premises.
3. Compare your energy plan
Visit the Energy Made Easy site to compare energy plans.
Learn more about saving energy
Sample pledges
- We’ve switched to 100% GreenPower
- We’ve replaced our old lighting with energy-efficient LEDs
- We’ve installed solar panels on the rooftop
- We’ve developed a clean energy strategy
- We’ve upgraded to more energy efficient air-conditioning
Waste
How can I reduce waste?
Managing waste has become an important topic in recent months with many businesses looking for opportunities to maximise recycling and minimise waste going to landfill. Did you know roughly 70% of the things in a business’ general waste bin can be reused or recycled? Good waste management can save your business money while caring for the environment.
Actions you can take:
- Add recycling services to your waste contract
- Find an organic waste collection service in your area
- Review your supply chain to source more recyclable products
- Conduct a waste audit at your business
- Dispose of your e-waste through drop-off or collection services.
Learn more about improving your waste management:
Woollahra Council - Trade Waste
Woollahra Council - Disposal and re-use guide
Woollahra Council - E-waste
NSW Government - E-waste
Planet Ark Business Recycling
For Cafes and Pubs
Responsible Cafes aims to reduce single-use waste by nurturing a culture of reuse and change behaviour.
Bye Bye Plastic have practical tips to help your businesses can reduce single use plastic items.
For Salons
Sustainable Salons is a social enterprise that redirects salon waste from landfill.
Sample pledges
- We send 80% of our waste for recycling
- We’ve reduced our waste by…
- Our organic waste goes to…
- We have a worm farm for waste from our staff
Sourcing sustainably
How can I reduce single use plastics and select more sustainable products?
Actions you can take:
Sample pledges
- We’re committed to reducing single-use plastics by switching to paper straws
- Our paper/bamboo/timber products are certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)
- The packaging we select can be recycled within Australia
- We assess the environmental and social impact of products including…
- We buy products that use recycled materials including…
Water
How can we be more water efficient?
By reducing water usage, your business can:
- Reduce costs and find efficiencies
- Reduce the environmental impact of your business
- Improve the reputation of your business.
Water quality in our harbour is also an important local issue. Removing solids, oils and grease from your wastewater at the source helps reduce the number of blockages and overflows on your property, in our system and in the environment.
Actions you can take:
Sample pledges
- We’ve upgraded to water efficient dishwashers
- We’ve installed a smart watering system to minimise use of water on our garden
- We’ve planted natives in the garden
- We’ve installed water tanks
Talk to our Sustainability Team on 02 9391 7000 or send us an email.
Download our Business Sustainability Action Pack(PDF, 1MB)