Since introducing an organics stream last year, Steensen Varming have identified further ways to improve their holistic waste reduction management strategy. They have implemented a number of initiatives that align with the company philosophy of creating positive environments, identifying a range of items they could eliminate, reusable options, additional recycling streams – they now have 8 - and run a deep engagement program with staff.

The team at Steensen Varming are passionate about not only improving their on performance, but setting an example for other tenancies (both within and outside their building). They say the process has identified office sustainability leaders and created a positive culture within the office where staff continually remind each other to be office champions of sustainability.

Designlogic joined CitySwitch as one of their first sustainability steps, and wanted to change as much as they could and they definitely hit the ground running. The instant game changer was lighting. They retrofitted the existing lights and changed all lights to LEDs. In addition, motion sensors were installed in less used areas of the office. These changes alone made an enormous difference people & cost saving wise, and they say other measures followed quickly – proper recycling possibilities, company branded keep cups, shopping bags to reduce plastic waste, plastic recycling (RED), default black & white printing, electronic waste recycling, reducing the hot water temperature and posting regular Green Fun Facts to staff.

Having already focused on energy efficiency and onsite renewable energy, dsquared Consulting office has achieved a 6 Star NABERS energy rating with GreenPower. Their ongoing commitment to reducing the environmental footprint of their business has led to them becoming South Australia’s first carbon neutral certified small to medium sized business. Dsquared’s journey to becoming carbon neutral has been documented in a detailed case study to assist others.

Cundall has achieved: a 5.5 star NABERS tenancy rating (without GreenPower) in a B Grade building. The achievement is a testament to the focus that Cundall has placed on energy efficiency and occupant comfort in the retrofit of their office space. Standout features include a circadian LED lighting solution with great controllability. This delivers an energy intensity of less than 3 watts/m2 and continuous sensor monitoring of indoor environment quality. Cundall’s retrofit has created for their staff a comfortable, healthy, adaptable and stimulating working environment and presents a clear business case for others to follow.

Colliers International trialled and pioneered new processes in their own office on behalf of the broader property industry and in doing so, achieve exceptional results. They have achieved a 5 Star NABERS energy rating; are one of two current NABERS indoor environment ratings in the state; and are at the leading edge of office sustainability, encouraging others to follow their example.

Since joining CitySwitch in 2012 Baenziger Coles have been consistently working towards reducing energy consumption through increasing efficiency and improving behavioural practices. They’ve undertaken rigorous process of analysis and fine tuning in their architecture studio, including relacing lighting, closing unsealed fitting gaps, and optimising HVAC settings combined with 28 roof solar panels to achieve a 5.5 NABERS energy rating.

CBA set ambitious 57.6% emissions targets to be achieved by 2020, and through a comprehensive, holistic and ongoing efficiency program, sophisticated monitoring, analysis and building tuning, this year CBA has already reached a 52.5% reduction, another 7% since last year. This includes saving 1,855 tonnes CO2-e in their NSW properties, and almost 400,000 dollars.

They’ve backed all of this with science based targets, onsite solar, a Carbon Positive commitment and this month signed on as the first Australian RE100 company, going 100 per cent renewable by 2030. In parallel, they continue developing on-site renewable energy generation capacity, and all new retail branches are being built to minimum 5 star Green Star rating, and they have developed a program to rate all main commercial tenancies for IEQ.

AMP has been committed to reducing their environmental footprint as an organisation, promoting the wellbeing of our employees, contributing to the community. While also delivering 33% reduction in scope 1 + 2 emissions from their 2013 base year, and being carbon neutral since 2013, they have embarked on a comprehensive activity based working refurbishment of workplaces nationally. They deliberately put people at the heart of their design philosophy to ensure workplaces support high performing people, deliver operational savings and create advocacy for talent attraction and retention.

Each project has involved iterative spatial, technological and behavioural improvements in the design, delivery and operation of their workplaces. Using recognised industry frameworks such as Green Star, WELL, Fitwel and NABERS, they are delivering great environmental and wellbeing outcomes.

Setting ambitious targets back in 2015 the Commonwealth Bank is now realising the delivery of their 2020 Property Sustainability Strategy. Their comprehensive energy and carbon reduction strategy is delivering impressive results. To-date they have achieved a national average of 2.3 tonnes of carbon per full time employee. This is a reduction of over 50% in emissions from their 2009 baseline.

The TSA Group has demonstrated that sustainability doesn’t have to be hard to implement. They’ve addressed energy, waste and healthy buildings elements with very impressive results. In engaging with the healthy buildings campaign, they reduced unplanned absences by $20,000 a month and increased productivity by $30,000 a month. In engaging with specialist consultants, they have reduced energy use and improved air quality. And in just stopping to think what makes sense, they asked their cleaners to attend earlier in the evening, so they can turn lights off earlier at night to save energy.

Best of all, their enthusiasm for sustainability is infectious. For their second award in just over twelve months as a signatory, the Signatory of the Year Over 2,000 square metres goes to TSA Group.

On 19 February 2018 the First State Super Sustainability Council launched their first War on Waste challenge to educate and encourage staff to reduce office waste. As part of this challenge they asked all 500+ employees to make a pledge to undertake a sustainable action and commit for at least 6 weeks. They then ran a detailed and comprehensive engagement campaign, 366 pledges made, 220 keep cups provided to staff, 10,443kg CO2 reduction, a 41% reduction in disposable coffee cup waste, 136 employees completed the online sustainability training and 141 sustainability reward cards were sent via peer to peer recognition.

Frist state say that this project has significantly raised awareness of the importance of environmental sustainability in the workplace. There is a noticeable and visible ongoing effect with most employees continuing to use keep cups long after the campaign ended and continuing to encourage others to do so. They are now preparing for our second War on Waste initiative “Rethink the print” which was an idea suggested to the council from our Head of Technology.

Fujitsu’s Digital Owl project collects population data on endangered plant species within the NSW region, using drones equipped with high tech cameras to survey large areas and video analytics and artificial intelligence. The innovative use of technology saves time, costs and fuel and emissions of helicopter observations.

A trial in remote bushland had excellent accuracy levels and resulted in successful identification of two endangered plant species feared to be facing extinction, but were found growing in the wild.

Knight Frank and tenants of Westpac House participated in the national NABERS Co-Assess pilot, making it the most successful building in the national pilot.For the 17 out of 19 tenants in Westpac House, it meant that they had achieved an accredited NABERS energy rating for their tenancy. Tenants were also provided with CitySwitch Beginner Guide packs to encourage other sustainable office practices.

Cleandustrial Services engaged with CitySwitch’s drive to create buildings that are healthier for people. Partnering with All Saints College, AbcoPro and ProMicro, Cleandustial Service created a cleaner and less toxic environment for school students through careful research and innovation in cleaning products.

The Melbourne Renewable Energy Project (MREP) is a catalyst for changing electricity procurement, acting on climate change and driving investment in renewable energy. The MREP marks the first time that a partnership of 14 organisations from a range of sectors - local governments, cultural institutions, universities and corporations – have collectively purchased renewable energy from a newly built facility.

The MREP partners have committed to purchasing 88 GWh of renewable energy under a long-term power purchase agreement (PPA). The agreement enables Pacific Hydro to progress financing and construction of a new wind farm at Crowlands, a small agricultural community, north of Ararat in western region of Victoria.

Over the past year, Stylecraft have tasked themselves with creating positive change and engagement within their own company, as well as for clients and suppliers. Their actions include the a range of strategic targets and projects, and over the past year Stylecraft have worked with the Building Operations Manager & Waste Contractors to successfully introduce co-mingled recycling bins for glass & plastics not just in their own tenancy, but on all 24 levels of their building.

They also became a signatory to CitySwitch, to the United Nations Global Compact, Participation in Clean Up Australia Day, and carried out a range of staff and customer activities.

Oxigen is a landscape architecture firm on Halifax Street. Oxigen’s Adelaide office visibly demonstrates sustainable behaviours and a sustainable design approach. Features included smart building material choices, cross ventilation, natural lighting and LEDs, underfloor heating, enhancement of the existing streetscape and both rooftop and vertical gardens. These resulted in lower maintenance, lower energy costs, comfortable and engaging work environments and an increase in staff health, wellbeing and efficiency. The space has become an incubator for sustainable design outcomes.

CCI established the Green Team in early 2018 and determined that printing and waste reduction were the principal concerns. They developed campaigns to educate and communicate staff and their second round of waste audits in July 2018 showed a 70% reduction in coffee cups, 20% overall waste reduction and a recycling rate increase from 44% to 55%. They reduced paper usage by 152,000 sheets in just 3 months, that’s over 300 reams.

They achieved all of this with no dedicated budget, producing monthly newsletters, recycling tips, videos, articles, sustainable products, images, statistics and reports via email and Yammer. They created posters, held lunch and learn sessions in an effort to create successful change.