Mark Stewart Smash Repairs

Mark Stewart, the owner of Mark Stewart Smash Repairs, realises the consequences of bad environmental management and its impact on the environment. In the 14 years that he has been involved in the trade it has become apparent that water quality in the local creeks and lagoons has deteriorated at an alarming rate. To address his own concerns for the future of the catchment, he has implemented a policy of waste and waste water management second to none, that secures the long-term viability of his business.

Waste Water Management

Smash repairers must clean cars, and it is important to control the water that runs off the car as it may contain contaminants such as oils or paint. The workshop has a policy that all cars must be washed:
    • with biodegradable cleaners;
    • in a designated bunded area to prevent runoff to the stormwater system. The water drains
       into one specific holding tank where it is then pumped through the separator. A separator
       removes contaminants such as oils from the water before it is allowed to enter the sewer.

In addition, to prevent accidental contamination:
    • all paints, thinners and other possible liquid contaminants are stored on racks within a
       bunded room;
    • spray guns are cleaned in this room;
    • thinners are deposited into a storage drum for collection, not the sewer. These thinners are
       removed for recycling and sold back to the workshops as a Gum Wash cleaning thinner;
    • water based paints are used in preference to standard paints as they contain 70% less
      solvents and are less detrimental to the environment;
    • car radiator cooling water is drained into storage tanks for collection and recycling. Pouring
        of radiator water into the sewer or stormwater introduces toxic glycols into the
        environment. Separators do not remove these chemicals from the water.

Air Quality

All spray work is carried out in the spray booth. The booth extracts air through a vent in the roof where it passes through a 4 micron filter. This filter removes all paint dust before it is allowed to enter the atmosphere.

For more information contact Mark Stewart on (02) 9907 1000.

Manly Hydraulics Laboratory site renovation and design

Manly Hydraulics Laboratory (MHL) is a business within the Department of Public Works and Services. It provides a consulting service in the fields of water, coastal and environmental solutions. Most of MHL’s work is within NSW, but in recent years MHL has worked on projects throughout Australia and overseas. MHL operates on a full commercial fee-for-service basis for government, industry and consultants.

In showcasing best practice energy efficient design, the new Manly Hydraulics Laboratory demonstrates the NSW Government's commitment to both the National Greenhouse Strategy and the National Strategy for Ecological Sustainable Development. The building incorporates:

• Flow mitigation basins which will be stocked with native local aquatic plants to accept the
    water from the roof. This slows down and filters the water

• Solar tiles which will provide enough electricity over the course of a year to power the site,
    reducing carbon dioxide (a greenhouse gas) emissions by an estimated 14 tonnes

• Internal lighting provided by windows and skylights. When necessary high efficiency compact
    fluorescents will provide the required artificial lighting

• Stand alone solar lights will provide external lighting. The solar cells ‘track' the movement of
    the sun to obtain the maximum amount of energy from the sunlight available, this increase in
    light intensity throughout the course of the day provides the cells with greater efficiency. The
    energy is stored in batteries with six night's power in reserve

• ‘Natural’ air conditioning has been developed utilising the natural flows of air through the
    building
 

The warm air is drawn up through adjustable louvers in the solar chimney. This in turn draws cool air through vents in the floor and over areas of exposed masonry maximised for thermal mass and cooling capacity.

It is anticipated that this system will:

• save an up-front cost of $220,000 (air conditioning installation)

• reduce recurrent expenditure of $12,000 compared with an equivalent air-conditioned building

• prevent approximately 80 tonnes of green house gas emissions being released into the atmosphere every year.

For more information on building design and the work of MHL contact Will Strachan on (02) 9949 0200

International College of Tourism & Hotel Management

The International College of Tourism & Hotel Management opened in May 1996, in the historic St. Patrick's Seminary, North Head overlooking Manly. The College has over 310 students, 210 of whom live on campus.

Environmental studies are taught as part of the course curriculum in the first six months of study and are considered an important aspect of training in a rapidly growing industry. The College practises a policy of Reduce, Reuse and Recycle throughout the majority of its activities.

‘Reduce’

Water Saving Devices
    • Water saving devices have been fitted to taps, toilets, and showers to reduce the overall
       cost of water consumption.

Energy Saving
    • The building has been fitted with energy saving 18W high efficiency compact fluorescents as
        opposed to standard 75W globes. This amounts to a 75% saving on their lighting bill
    • Corridor lights are on a timer system
    • Where gas heaters are not used, electric heaters operate on a timer basis.

‘Reuse’

Worm Farm

• With a main production and training kitchen, the College deals with large quantities of waste,
    primarily food and associated packaging. To utilise waste, the College set up a worm farm
    capable of ‘processing' approximately 120 litres of green waste per day to:
    - deal with their kitchen waste problem;
    - create a fertile soil which they use to grow their own herbs and vegetables for use in the
    preparation of meals;
    - reduce their reliance on fertiliser and other chemicals and subsequent run-off problems

Composting and Mulching

Garden waste and lawn clippings are composted. The compost and mulch as well as matting are used to reduce water consumption and problems associated with run off. Paths and driveways are swept not hosed.

‘Recycle’

Paper/PET plastic/glass/steel and aluminium cans

• Manly Council accepts all recycling from commercial premises free of charge as an incentive to meet the 60% waste reduction targets by the year 2000. As a consequence, companies can significantly reduce their waste costs by developing an effective recycling policy.

 Through utilising environmentally friendly products and recycling, the College is saving significant amounts of money and setting an example to the students which will enable them to use this information later in their careers.
 

Up at the worm farm

 

For more information on waste minimisation at the International College of Tourism & Hotel Management contact Shawn Addison on (02) 9977 0333.

Blackmores Ltd

Blackmores is a world wide manufacturer and distributor of natural health care products. They maintain an ethos of environmental and natural care and have been an innovator in environmental initiatives in Manly for over 30 years. In 1967 Maurice Blackmore, the founder, developed a policy that the company would do what it could to protect the environment. He stated that "If man persists in ignoring or defying the recycling laws of nature he will not avoid pollution, malnutrition or starvation."

Blackmores maintains its environmental policies in the workplace with a number of unique, simple and effective initiatives to reduce their own impact. They have an aim of ‘zero waste’ by implementing systems and procedures which will ensure waste is reused and recycled.

Water

• A special ‘scraper’ is used to remove excess creams and oils from the manufacturing vessels. This provides less wastage and a reduction of water borne pollutants. It has also resulted in a 90% reduction in water consumption.
• Concentrated liquid waste is stored in 44 gallon drums and removed by a trade waste recycling company.
• Water saving devices are in place throughout the building.
• ‘Grey water’ reuse is currently being examined.

Lighting

Through the use of energy-efficient light globes, consumption of energy for lighting has been reduced by about one third. This in turn reduces the load on the air-conditioning system by reducing heat, which provides a further saving in energy costs. Further reduction in energy consumption has been made through the introduction of time switches on lights and air-conditioning.

Plastic

    • Pallet wrapping plastic is heated, compressed and made into bricks, convenient for storage,
    and sold for recycling
    • Drums and boxes that arrive in the warehouse are reused to and from their suppliers to
    reduce cost and waste
    • Herbal extract drums are collected and reused by a manufacturer of environmental cleaners
    • Staff members are allocated a personalised pen on employment to eliminate the need to
    purchase plastic pens.

Void fill packaging

• Void fill packaging is normally in the form of non-biodegradable polystyrene. Blackmores uses a bio-degradable puffed wheat fill which can be composted or even fed to a worm farm.

Obsolete display material

• Obsolete display materials are re-used in schools and kindergartens through Reverse Garbage (Contact: Reverse Garbage on (02) 9569 3132).

Contact Blackmores on (02) 9951 0152.

Wakehurst Golf Club

Wakehurst Golf Club is adjacent to the ecologically sensitive Manly Dam Reserve covering 70ha of its 370ha catchment. Recognised as having some of the most intact bushland on any Sydney course the members have worked relentlessly to protect and enhance a variety of unusual rare flora, fauna and Aboriginal carvings. Over a period of 20 years their ‘Dads’ Army’ volunteer force have not only enhanced the visual status of the area, but has also provided a vital wildlife corridor between the Dam and Garrigal National Park.

The golf course has also adopted the Environmental Management Strategy for Golf Courses in the Manly Lagoon Catchment. It was the winner of the 1996 kcc ‘Dob in a Do-Gooder’ awards for their waste reduction programme and the 1997 Rotary Environment Award.

Stormwater mitigation

To reduce the impact of the course on the local waterways, the Club has constructed 15 stormwater detention ponds as mitigation against sediments, fertilisers and high flows. The water from the fairways drains away from Manly Dam into the ponds and then flows back under the course. The ponds provide the additional benefit of containing 50,000 cubic metres of water for irrigation and they support a wide variety of native wildlife.

The ‘Dad’s Army’

The Dad’s Army is a group of dedicated retirees who have devoted much of their time over the past 20 years to ongoing projects:
    • annual inspections and mapping of weeds are conducted by members of the club;
    • control of weed areas inside and outside the course to reduce the risk of seed transfer
    throughout the catchment;
    • planting thousands of trees to provide habitat and erosion control measures on a previous
    landfill site

Waste Management

    • All vegetation and waste is composted on site
    • Vehicles and machinery are washed down in a bunded area to prevent stormwater
    contamination
    • Waste oil is recycled
    • Glass, PET and paper are recycled
    • Soil is aerated and fertiliser usage reduced
    • Pesticide and herbicide use is reduced
    • Suppliers are lobbied to minimise the use of plastic

For a more detailed account of the history and progression of the golf course, there is a book available through Wakehurst Golf Course, ‘Out of the Rough - A History of Wakehurst Golf Club’. Contact Keith Pearce ph: (02) 9939 7710.

Clontarf Marina

Clontarf Marina has 59 moorings and 18 floating births and is one of 39 marinas in Sydney Harbour. Marina owners need to be aware of their environmental management procedures to ensure they do not have a detrimental effect on sensitive aquatic eco-systems. Hugh Shanks, Chairman of the Marina Association of NSW and owner of Clontarf Marina, is in a situation where leading by example is imperative. He has been involved in the writing and implementation of the Boating and Marina Industry Association’s Environmental Guidelines as well as the EPA Management Guidelines for Marinas.

Housekeeping

    • Clear signage advises the boat owners of the location of bins and recycling facilities at the
    marina and the rules for the disposal and use of liquid contaminants
    • The refuelling depot is equipped with oil absorbent booms and mats to contain a spill if one
    was ever to occur
    • Emergency clean up kits are always in evidence for spills on land
    • All staff are trained in environment issues and how to prevent the likelihood of a spill

Boat Works

    • Work on boats at the marina is carried out on their slipway
    • Plastic drop sheets are used on the beach below the slipway. These sheets offer an
    inexpensive solution to a common problem associated with marinas
    • No spraying of paint is permitted on the slipway or at the births
    • Waste oil is removed by an oil recycling company
    • Supply of a ‘bag’ of oil absorbent material that can be dropped into the bilge tank of all
    boat owners

Providing education to boat owners on

    • Safety
    • Consideration for neighbours
    • How to carry out maintenance work on vessels in an environmentally friendly manner
    • General protection of the environment.

To provide the Marina and other interested parties with information on the impacts of marinas on the environment, the management have volunteered their location as a test site for the monitoring of marine flora and fauna. Once a year, scientists from the Ecology Laboratory test for species health and diversity compared to a similar location within the harbour. It is hoped that all marinas in the harbour will follow this lead in years to come.

Contact: Hugh Shanks (02) 9949 5399.

 
Balgowlah Seaforth RSL Club

The Club is located in Seaforth and has recently undergone major renovations to enhance the aesthetics of the club and increase services to the thousands of members and their guests. The RSL is open 7 days a week providing a full range of bar, meal and catering facilities.

Biological Treatment of Waste Water

The Club was recommended to the MEC for excellence in trade waste water management because of its use of biological additives to facilitate the breakdown of greases in the grease trap. As a fully catering club, the RSL is required under Sydney Water regulations to install a 3000 litre grease trap (Sydney Water 1997).

The RSL has adopted the use of a bacterial agent from Environmental Biotech. The system involves the installation of a basket-like filter into the main sewerage pipe leaving the kitchen. The waste is then filtered through the basket containing a live vegetative bacteria which breaks it down to carbon dioxide and water. The bacteria are found on the surface of the earth and widely used to clean up oil spills.

This form of sewage pre-treatment:
    • breaks down suspended solids
    • reduces the biological oxygen demand (a measure of nutrient content)
    • reduces the volume of waste caught in the trap by approximately 75%
    • reduces odour by 80-90%
    • reduces the on-site costs associated with emptying the trap

Once the grease is removed from the trap a percentage is recycled for use in the production of cosmetics.

Energy Conservation

The Club has become involved in kcc by implementing some of the recommendations suggested by students from the University of NSW following an environmental audit.

Fluorescent lights normally operate at the standard utility supply voltage, which is far greater than the normal voltage that is required to allow the lights to strike. A new device on the market, once installed, holds the voltage at normal for a pre-set period of time and then reduces the voltage by 15%. A normal transformer is used to switch from normal to economy mode after the initial start up period which is approximately 5 minutes. The drop in electric current is dependent on the type and age of the fluorescent fittings

The device requires no modification of existing light fittings, and is simply wired into the lighting circuit between the power distribution board and the lighting load. The pay-back time of these devices within the RSL is believed to be in the region of 17-23 months.

Recycling

The RSL uses the Council’s free commercial recycling service. Paper, glass, PET plastic, aluminium and steel cans are all recycled on a regular weekly basis. The student research revealed that if steel 20 litre oil cans had three holes punched in the base, they could also be recycled thus making a substantial saving in waste costs.

Contact: John Vickery ph: (02) 9949 5477