Natural resources
This part of the guide shows how you can:
- reduce carbon emissions,
- conduct a waste audit,
- reduce use of energy/use renewable energy,
- deal with hazardous substances,
- use water wisely, and
- recycle.
The Ministry for the Environment (MfE) has many useful resources in its “Publications” section.
Their Guide to sustainable office fit outs is very good, and covers many things including efficient energy use, water use and waste management planning. The link in full:
www.mfe.govt.nz/publications/sus-dev/office-fitouts-dec05/index.html
A useful introduction to Hazardous substances is at
www.mfe.govt.nz/issues/hazardous/ and there is a detailed guide for businesses and organisations at
www.hsno.govt.nz/hs.shtm.
Recycling systems in multi-tenanted buildings is in the MfE's sustainable development section. This includes:
- how to minimise waste
- how to set up recycling systems,
- undertaking a waste audit
Link in full:
www.mfe.govt.nz/publications/sus-dev/recycling-jan04/index.html
Business Sustainability How-To guides and tools?
The American GreenBiz.com website has a wealth of them at
www.greenbiz.com
Two of the many guides are:
There are many more at
www.greenbiz.com/toolbox/tools.cfm
For environmental sustainability in urban environments read
Living Space: towards sustainable settlements in New Zealand.
Editors: Claire Freeman and Michelle Thompson-Fawcett.
Publisher: University of Otago Press,
ISBN: 1 877276 45 6
Available through Dept of Internal Affairs library or interloan from your public library.