Wanganui City Photo/File
Backed by strong council direction, local businesses and the community could benefit by becoming more sustainable, says the organiser of mixer meetings Green Drinks.
Last week, Green Drinks moved up a gear when Whanganui Employers' Chamber of Commerce, community groups and Whanganui iwi joined the group to discuss becoming a sustainable city.
Started in December by Helen Marie O'Connell, Green Drinks meets every second Tuesday of the month at Delicious Cafe and Bar.
Green Drinks co-organiser, Wanganui architect Duncan Sinclair is a volunteer "business connector" with the Sustainable Business Network (SBN), and says he is keen to continue the integration of sustainable practices into all Wanganui business.
"As well as the financial benefits to our local companies, I would like to think that the environment and community would also benefit, through a higher profile nationally and as a result of healthier, more environmentally sensitive practices."
Mr Sinclair invites businesses that see the value in becoming more sustainable, to visit the SBN website http://sustainable.org.nz/, or contact him directly.
"There are many very good support networks and structures that can be adopted by business if they are interested in heading in this direction."
To begin, Mr Sinclair recommends looking at the SBN website, and for a well thought out, comprehensive programme suggests The Natural Step http://www.naturalstep.org/en/new-zealand.
He says Wanganui has a wealth of passionate and knowledgeable people in the area of sustainability who have been working hard for a long time to create a 'critical mass' of sustainable thinking and actions.
"Ideally, local businesses backed by strong council direction would capitalise on this sustainability knowledge for the benefit of all our community," Mr Sinclair says.
"By working together in this direction and celebrating our community's achievements to date, we can create a reputation for forward-thinking action.
"An excellent New Zealand example of this in practice is the reputation that Bob Harvey helped create for Waitakere City Council.
"There was never a question about the council's drive to do things more sustainably; every decision they made was via a 'Sustainability Lens'.
"As a Smart21 Community, Wanganui has an opportunity to build on this, to connect with the world's sustainability leaders, enhancing both our reputation and knowledge.
"As the common saying goes, you become like those you associate with."
Chamber president Craig Hanford said he found Green Drinks beneficial to continue building the bridges between the business and environmental communities.
"The Environmental Resource Centre is a classic example of true community partnership between iwi, business, and community groups.
"One of our foundations at the Chamber is to help build sustainable business; sustainable both in terms of financial viability and sustainable in terms of how we use resources, as the two are becoming increasingly entwined."
Mr Hanford said the business he works in is making constant small changes towards a more sustainable future.
"Twelve months ago we halved the number of wheelie bins available, now we are producing half the rubbish.
"Businesses can make a real change, for the good of the environment and for the bottom line, by making changes to the way they do business."
Mr Hanford said some Wanganui businesses have been proactive in striving for more sustainable processes while some are just starting the journey.