Winning a national commendation for its sustainability work is, by no means, an end goal for SCA Hygiene Australasia and its operations sustainability manager Dave Cronshaw.
The company won the Bay of Plenty Sustainable Business Network Sustainable Business of the Year last month and then went on to receive a judges' commendation in the Trailblazer - Large and Corporate category at the national awards this month.
Dave says this success is not a "one-off", but a step in a much longer journey.
"We are delighted to be recognised as a leader in sustainability. It is a pat on the back to everyone involved at the site who has helped with our achievements."
Those achievements include reducing electricity, gas and water consumption at the Kawerau paper plant, which manufactures facial and toilet tissues for New Zealand's commercial market. SCA has also reduced waste to landfill and waste water.
"We have got some more activities planned in the coming year and will be entering the awards again with the aim of improving on what we have already achieved."
SCA's focus on environmental and social sustainability starts with the international parent group, but Dave's own involvement was an evolution from his previous environment, health and safety management role, boosted by his past career as a chemistry teacher.
"Having a chemistry background allows you to enter many fields and environmental is one of them," he says.
"To be able to work in a field that not only helps the environment, but business and the community, is great. In my particular area of tissue-paper manufacturing it has been fascinating to be exposed to a lot of passionate people on both sides of the fence."
Such experiences have taught him to take nothing for granted and the importance of understanding what you are talking about - locally and globally.
He has been in his current role since 2008, working with plants in Kawerau, Hamilton, Melbourne and Suva.
"The main roles have been to reduce consumption of raw materials and energy and reduce emissions and waste. Added to this is getting engagement of everyone on each of the sites to help achieve the targets."
A lot of effort has also gone into getting Forest Stewardship Council certification and other accreditations such as ISO 14001 Environmental Management Standard and Environmental Choice New Zealand for SCA plants and products.
Having lived and worked in Rotorua for about 25 years, including considerable time spent marathon training in and around Whakarewarewa forest, Dave also has a personal interest in minimising the impact of commercial activities on the community and the environment.
"All businesses, regardless of whether they are large or small, have a moral responsibility to protect the environment."
While it is easy to identify the effects of big businesses, he stresses the combined impact of smaller industries can also be significant, although this may not be as obvious or visible.
Dave sees the lack of access to money as the greatest barrier to businesses implementing sustainability initiatives. He would like to see this addressed with a carbon tax, with revenue ring-fenced for cheap capital.
"Initially, companies could access this for projects that reduced emissions and it would be paid back by the savings made by reducing consumption.
"This means the pool of money is getting bigger, allowing for larger projects, while reducing energy consumption."
Dave describes this as a "positive feedback system" that could go on to fund research and household projects in the future.
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