Westpac Banking Corporation
Posted: 07.05.09 | Created by: Do Something
Westpac was founded in 1817 and was the first company and the first bank in Australia. Today it is one of Australia’s leading financial services organisations serving more than 10 million customers.
With a strong history on environmental issues Westpac has been publicly reporting its environmental performance since 1996. Firstly, through its participation as a foundation member of the Federal Government’s Greenhouse Challenge Plus program, and later through its annual Stakeholder Impact Report.
Westpac has been a strong advocate for early action on climate change. Together with a number of other corporations and the Australian Conservation Foundation, Westpac formed the Australian Business Roundtable on Climate Change which commissioned research demonstrating the economic business case for early action on climate change. Westpac has reduced its own greenhouse has emissions by over 40% since 1996.
HOW WESTPAC INTRODUCED A SOLUTION TO THEIR WATER COOLER DILEMMAIn addition to Westpac’s environmental concerns, the decision to remove large plastic inverted bottle water coolers was also driven by occupational health and safety considerations. The removal of these water coolers was seen as a way to reduce manual handling activities within the workplace.
As part of general risk reviews a decision was undertaken to reduce the amount of manual handling activities required of employees across the business. Combined with environmental benefits and cost savings the removal of these coolers and the large plastic bottles that go with them was identified as a key way to do this.
Throughout 2004 and 2005 bottled water coolers were removed from all sites and replaced with a water cooler system that filters and cools tap water in a free standing unit within the kitchen. This is now being progressively updated with an under sink filter and cooler that minimises the amount of materials installed and hence the lifecycle impacts of the system whilst maximising kitchen space.
In addition crockery and glassware is available to all sites to reduce the need for paper or plastic cups, again leading to a reduction in office waste.
SUMMARY OF RESULTS - reduced risk of manual handling injuries within the workplace
- cost neutral to implement
- ongoing cost savings after implementation
- reduced waste within Westpac’s supply chain