Success for five Christchurch businesses

Success for five Christchurch businesses

Five Christchurch businesses are being recognised today for their achievements in a programme that helps them meet health, safety and environmental standards, and save money in the process.

Enviro-Mark NZ* originated in the UK and was adapted for use in New Zealand by Landcare Research. It is an internet-based tool that at its most basic level (Level 1 - Bronze) helps businesses put in-house procedures in place to comply with this country's health, safety and environmental (HSE) legislation.

Enviro-Mark has five levels of certification which businesses can work through at their own pace, stopping at whichever is most appropriate to their needs. Level 3- Gold certifies that the business is continually improving and saving money in the process. Savings coming from, for example, energy efficiency and waste minimisation. City Care has achieved diamond certification, while four others: Environment Canterbury (Forests and Reserves department), Ngai Tahu Seafood (the head office and lobster plant ) and Chaucer Press and CSP Galvanising have achieved bronze.

The certificates will be presented by Christchurch mayor Garry Moore and Canterbury Employers Chamber of Commerce CEO Peter Townsend at a ceremony today.

City Care CEO Richard Lauder says achieving the diamond standard has helped City Care to assure its clients that the company takes its environmental and safety responsibilities seriously.

Chaucer Press accounts manager Ashley Newsome says his company has seen similar benefits. "Our customers are responding positively to our new commitment to health, safety and environmental management. We have gained one new customer as a result already."

The technical manager, Mike Dawson, says Enviro-Mark fitted the company's requirements exactly. "We were looking for a certifiable HSE management system to align with our existing ISO 9001 quality system. Now that we have joined up with Enviro-Mark, we can confirm to the market place that we care about both the quality of our product, and the health and safety of our staff and the environment."

Ngai Tahu Seafood business development manager John Quigley says an independent consultant recommended Enviro-Mark as being the most appropriate for their use. "We are now aiming for gold, and intend to bring our facilities up to the Silver standard by the end of 2003".

Environment Canterbury's property and reserves manager Neville Bishell says the Forest and Reserves unit was seeking a way of measuring its performance in health, safety and the environment. "Enviro-Mark has provided a tool to do this. It has the ability to help organisations or companies to become more environmentally aware and this has to be a good thing."

CSP Galvanising operations manager Wayne Scott says Enviro-Mark is making his company more aware of the environment, and just as importantly, is making it aware of what needs to be done to conserve it.

Enviro-Mark's project manager Jim Watt says since the programme was launched in January this year more than 50 organisations have joined up, including The Warehouse, Antarctica New Zealand, Snowy Peak and HortResearch. "The business community is increasingly expected to provide evidence of responsible environmental and social performance. The trend is being driven at home and abroad by consumers, government policy makers, and large and small companies."

The Enviro-Mark certificates are being presented at the Mayor's Lounge at the Christchurch City Council Chambers at 5pm today. Media are welcome to attend.

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