News

Northcote Traders go green

This year, over 20 High Street Northcote Traders joined the pilot sustainable business management program, VIC 1000, in a bid to reduce their level of environmental impact.

With the help of the VIC 1000 team, these traders were guided through a process of audits, workshops and training over a 12 month period with the goal of reducing water consumption, volume of waste going to landfill and greenhouse gases produced.

One of the participating venues, The Northcote Uniting Church, was so successful in their efforts they were awarded the overall excellence award for outstanding results across the four pillars of sustainability.

But apart from the environmental benefits, the program had other advantages as well. According to the VIC 1000 website, businesses participating in the program Australia-wide have found a minimum average annual saving of $500 in direct operating costs.

Village Green CEO, Doug Smith, states, “While each business may make only small changes, together the changes are significant.”

To see which businesses were involved in VIC 1000 look out for the VIC 1000 stickers in shop windows or for more information on the program visit: http://www.villagegreen.com.au