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In 2004, BIG4AHP decided to source an external
environmental monitoring system that would place
rigorous checks and balances on the way the
Park operated in order to ensure environmental
best practice.
After considerable research, BIG4AHP elected
to register with Green Globe 21 (GG21). This
is an international environmental benchmarking
system designed to assist the international
travel and tourism industry to attain environmental
sustainability. It is endorsed by Geelong Otway
Tourism in addition to the 182 governments at
the United Nations Rio de Janeiro Earth Summit
in 1992.
Initially, BIG4 Anglesea Holiday Park embarked
upon a critical analysis of its current environmental
practices. It then implemented many changes
to its operations to make a difference and set
about educating its clientele in environmental
care. Some of these changes include:
- Implementation of worm farms with information
sheets for guests
- Scrap buckets in each of the cabins for
the collection of food waste
- Investing in a garden mulcher
- Creation of a ‘Local Flora and Fauna’
identification booklet
- Paper re-use system in office
- Investing in a state of the art gas hot
water system
- Investing in 60 new recycling bins
A long-term commitment has been made to the
program to ensure that each year the results
are improving. It is important that these types
of accreditations are not seen as a once off,
but rather as a long term project that is constantly
being monitored for improvement.
There are seven key performance areas in which
you have to prove (predominantly through data
collection) that your operation exceeds or meets
the benchmark industry line set by GG21.
These areas are as follows:
KEY
PERFORMANCE AREA |
KEY
OBJECTIVE |
| Cleaning Chemicals |
Reduce non-biodegradable
chemicals discharged into the environment |
| Social Commitment |
Maintain positive, productive
and sustainable contributions to the
local community |
| Potable Water Consumption
|
Minimise consumption of potable
water. |
| Sustainability Policy |
Our actions and infrastructure address
a commitment to monitoring continual
improvement of environmental and local
social impacts. |
| Energy Consumption |
Minimise overall energy consumption
(grid electricity, natural gas, diesel
etc.) |
| Solid Waste Production |
Reduce the amount of solid waste
produced by reducing materials consumed |
| Resource Conservation (Paper) |
Reduce consumption of natural
resources and the impact on ecosystem
biodiversity |
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These criteria were met by BIG4AHP, and the
business is now accredited as having ‘Benchmarked’
Status.
BIG4AHP was the first Holiday Park
in Australia to achieve this status.
Reasons for and benefits
of the project
With a commitment to operating from a triple
bottom line, our reasons for wanting to achieve
benchmarked status were clear-cut, as success
within the rigorous program would deliver:
- a reduction of non-renewable resources in
areas such as packaging
- extensive cost savings in areas such as
waste management fees and garden mulch and
fertilisers
- secure a sustainable commercial and ecological
future
- formalise our commitment to the local community
Environmental and
Social Policy
Big4 Anglesea Holiday Park recognises the importance
of constantly improving their triple bottom
line performance – economic, social and
environmental performances. Big4 Anglesea is
committed to continuously reassessing its practices
in order to operate a financially viable business
in addition to an organisation that emphasises
the importance of the environment and its ultimate
preservation.
Big4 Anglesea’s management is dedicated
to creating greater awareness of environmental
sustainability to staff, business representatives
and clientele in order to create shared responsibility.
Where possible and practical, Big4 Anglesea
gives preference to local staff, services and
products and will continue this commitment with
the view of furthering and supporting the local
community.
All downloadable documents are in PDF format
which require the free Adobe Acrobat Reader.
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