Companies sponsoring the 2010 BPN Sustainability Awards outline what sustainability means to them and how they’re helping those in the building industry to create more sustainable buildings.
Australian Forestry Standard
Sustainability, in the context of forest management, is about biodiversity, climate change, indigenous people and social issues, water and soil and the legality of timber. Forest biodiversity forms the basis of many of the values and services that society derives from forests. If forest biodiversity is to be maintained and enhanced, human interactions with forest ecosystems need to be managed with careful attention to resource conservation and sustainability. Implementing sustainable forest management as defined by the Australian Forestry Standard ensures that forests remain the most biodiverse terrestrial ecosystems on the planet and that society’s forest needs and demands will be met in the long term.
CSR Gyprock
CSR is committed to sustainability. We believe that we can contribute to a more sustainable society through our operations and through the application of our energy efficient products and systems. This was demonstrated at the new head office building in North Ryde where CSR products and systems were used to achieve 5 star Green Star — Office Interiors v1. CSR Gyprock plasterboard is manufactured from Gypsum, an abundant, naturally occurring non-toxic mineral which is the basis of all plaster products. CSR Gyprock led the Australian market in 2008 with the first independently certified environmental plasterboard and quickly developed a range of boards and systems which provide application specific solutions for Green Star projects.
CSR Hebel
CSR Hebel is committed to the manufacture and delivery of building products which have a minimal impact on the environment. The importance of choosing one product over another on environmental grounds is becoming more critical. The manufacture of CSR Hebel Autoclaved Aerated Concrete uses just one quarter of the raw materials needed for conventional masonry. There are also no waste products produced. CSR Hebel has been independently assessed by Good Environmental Choice Australia (GECA) as having significantly reduced environmental loads (more than 60 per cent in many cases), compared with alternative building materials. As a result, CSR Hebel is proud to have been awarded the GECA label for each of its products and systems.
Stormtech
Stormtech believes in sustainable development because it is important that today’s needs in building and construction matters are addressed without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. We think that building practices should focus on the use of environmentally friendly materials, reduced waste and the elimination of toxic substances. Using Stormtech architectural grates and drains will contribute to the protection of Australian waterways by eliminating the need to use strong chemicals to break up plumbing blockages that are usually caused by debris entering the sanitary drainage system. Using the wedge wire as the grating acts as a barrier to this problem causing debris.
Safetyline Jalousie
Sustainability for Safetyline Jalousie is designing and manufacturing products with minimum impact on the environment but of maximum benefit to end users. Sustainable products should be functional and give best performance while taking into account the needs of future generations. Wherever possible, products should be energy saving, using environmentally friendly materials. Safetyline Jalousie is an environmentally sustainable organisation which seeks to balance economy, society and environment within its operations. With pressing environmental issues such as climate change, Safetyline Jalousie has a strong focus on sustainable production and consumption. Safetyline Jalousie sets a benchmark for environmental best practice in louvre window design and production.
