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DISCOVER THE ENVIRONMENT
ENVIRONMENTAL ACHIEVEMENTS
Godfrey Hirst Taps Into Water Recycling Project With 1.3M Grant
Godfrey Hirst Carpets, the largest carpet manufacturer in the Southern Hemisphere, will save up to 250 million litres of water a year with the help of a $1.3 million Brumby Government grant.
Announcing the grant today, Victorian Premier Mr. John Brumby said the 1,000 employee company was setting up a state of the art $3.5 million storm water harvesting and wastewater recycling system.
During his visit to the Godfrey Hirst Carpets Geelong plant, he described the project as an innovative water-saving system that would help secure the efficiency of the company’s operations and help Geelong’s water supply.
“This achievement will make Godfrey Hirst more competitive and environmentally sound to improve its prospects in the long term,” Mr. Brumby said.
By reprocessing 175 million litres of effluent production water along with 75 million litres of captured storm water and returning it to Class A water for reuse, the recycling project will save 250 megalitres – the equivalent of 250 Olympic swimming pools per year.
Apart from saving water, the project will save energy and reduce waste. The savings include cutting:
- energy use by 5 per cent a year (15,712 billion joules)
- trade waste discharged by up to 70 per cent a year (175 million litres)During the visit, Godfrey Hirst CEO Mr. Kim McKendrick thanked the Brumby government’s Regional Infrastructure Development and Storm water and Urban Recycling funds for their assistance in providing water security for Godfrey Hirst Carpets and the Geelong Community.Regional and Rural Development Minister Jacinta Allan said, “Godfrey Hirst Australia’s system will be a tremendous asset for Geelong’s water management strategy. This is a visionary development from one of regional Victoria’s leading manufacturers”.
“This investment in saving water is fantastic news for the company, the region and water supply”.
Click here for the article in full Godfrey Hirst Australia Achieves ISO14001 Accreditation
On February 27, 2009, Godfrey Hirst Australia were assessed and registered by TQCS International Pty Ltd as having the capability to control the environmental systems associated with its operations, under an environmental management system complying with the requirements of ISO140001: 2004.The registration covers the manufacturing of carpets and carpet tiles for the domestic and international markets from wool and synthetic raw materials.
To view our certificate, please click here
Green House Challenge
At Godfrey Hirst we believe that environmentally conscious practices are an integral part of manufacturing innovation.
We are committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and are an active member of Greenhouse Challenge Plus, a joint voluntary initiative between the Australian Government and industry to reduce gas, waste and electricity consumption.
Godfrey Hirst, in conjunction with many participating organizations, signed an agreement with the Government that provides a framework for undertaking and reporting on actions to decrease emissions in the manufacturing process.
Godfrey Hirst was honored with the Medium Business Award for “Outstanding Achievement in Greenhouse Gas Abatement” at the Greenhouse Challenge Plus Awards held at Parliament House, Canberra on 14 September 2005 .
The continuing goal for Godfrey Hirst is enhanced environmental performance through:
- Cleaner production processes
- Decreased water consumption
- Increased water recycling initiatives
- Reduction in total solid and liquid waste
- Improvements in energy efficiency
Click here for the Godfrey Hirst media release and Greenhouse Challenge Plus submission
Godfrey Hirst Carpets
Savewater! Awards 2006/07 Commendation
Godfrey Hirst Carpets has received a Commendation in the “Manufacturing” category for the savewater! Awards held on Friday March 23, 2007.
The savewater! Awards recognize and reward outstanding achievement in water conservation across Australian businesses, community groups, individual and government departments.
Savewater Award
As a recognized environmentally conscious manufacturer, Godfrey Hirst is committed to the reduction and recycle of water.
As an active participant in the Save Water program, a number of initiatives have been implemented to become more water efficient. Through the development of innovative systems and technologies, Godfrey Hirst has dramatically reduced its water usage throughout the manufacturing process.
The substantial investment made by Godfrey Hirst and the high level of involvement demonstrated by employees exemplifies the ever-growing commitment to both technical innovation and environmental sustainability.
Godfrey Hirst Carpets was recently honored as the winner of both the ‘Manufacturing’ category and the Award for Excellence at the 2005 Savewater Awards held on Friday 21 October at Melbourne’s Plaza Ballroom, during National Water Week.
Godfrey Hirst will continue to undertake activities to monitor and implement new processes that will result in a range of sustainable outcomes.
Click here for the Godfrey Hirst media release and Savewater Program
Waste Wise Accreditation
Godfrey Hirst recognises waste management and environmental sustainability as an ongoing project to achieve ‘green’ manufacturing. Godfrey Hirst was accredited as a Waste Wise business in February 2006 – a business program supported by EcoRecycle to help large companies improve their materials efficiency.
To achieve this, Godfrey Hirst developed and implemented a waste reduction action plan that avoids the generation of over 100 tons of waste per annum.
Many initiatives have been introduced to reduce, reuse, recycle and minimize pollution. Examples include the recycling of a wide variety of materials such as cardboard cores, plastic wrap, steel bale straps and office paper whilst reusable materials such as plastic pallets and yarn tubes are used throughout the factory. Godfrey Hirst recycles the water used in the carpet dying process, and is committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Positive recycling practices also exist in office areas, in line with the overall company goal to minimize or eliminate all adverse impacts that our activities and products may have on the environment. |
