Tools and calculators

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Also, this page provides several industry-specific tools to help you to make your business more sustainable.

• General tools that apply to more than one industry
• Workplace environmental calculators
• Guides on greening your office
• Green guides and programs - building and construction industry
• Green guides for farming
• Green guides for tourism and hospitality
• Green guides for the printing industry.
• Statewide programs for all industries

General Tools

• To assist with the responsible recycling and reuse of used oil, the Australian Government has developed a Used Oil recycling website
• To help your business make a more sustainable vehicle choice the Commonwealth Government has developed the Green Vehicle guide so you can compare fuel consumption across various makes and models
• You can find the nearest location to you for recycle particular products by using this Planet Ark website: Recycle Near You

Workplace environmental calculators

• National Greenhouse Energy Reporting System Calculator
• The Australian Emissions Reduction Model is a downloadable application that allows users to explore options for reducing Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions
• Climate Positive provides small business with an easy to use web-based carbon calculator for small to medium enterprise
• Carbon Footprint provides a comprehensive business carbon calculator. (Businesses need to set up an account to access the calculator.)
• The Office Calculator of EPA Victoria measures your business’ ecological footprint

Greening your office

• GreenPower is a government accreditation program for renewable energy. It is bought by your energy provider on your behalf.
• The Green Lease Guide provides commercial office tenants with a guide of what to consider when choosing a building and designing an office fit out.
• The green office guide has been developed to help you buy and use environmentally friendly office equipment.
• Energy Star guide rating for office equipment

• Reducing paper waste
• Reducing office waste
• Save water at work. Taps, urinals, cooling towers, steam traps, leakages, cleaning, and water reuse - it's all covered in this great Sydney Water easy guide.

Green guides and programs - building and construction

• The environmental best management practice guideline for concreting contractors is designed to help stakeholders involved in the concreting industry reduce their impact on the environment.
• A guide for painters. This site helps painters and contractors develop and implement an environmental management plan
• A handbook for landscapers. Information to help landscapers understand the environmental issues associated with their industry and to help them improve the environmental management of their operations.
• Measure the environmental impact of your building, based on key data such as energy and water bills, through National Australian Built Environment Rating Scheme (NABERS)
• Green Plumbers is a training, environmental product and marketing initiative of the Master Plumbers and Mechanical Services Association of Australia.
• The National Electrical and Communications Association (NECA) has developed a program EcoSmart Electricians to train licensed electricians nationally in energy efficient and environmentally friendly electrical products, technology and installations
• GreenSmart an initiative of the Housing Industry Association is a practical approach to building that focuses on educating builders, designers, product manufacturers and consumers about the benefits of environmentally responsible housing.
• The Master Builders Association has a specific environment area within its website that provides a range of tools, including directories for Construction and Demolition for the Sydney and Illawarra areas.

Green guides for farming

• Guides on how to develop an environmental management systems for your property

Green guides for tourism and hospitality

• Improving the environmental management of golf courses. This educational manual is designed to provide golf course superintendents with valuable information on how to improve the environmental performance of golf courses.
• Ten ways to green your club. A practical informative guide to assist clubs to do their bit for environmental sustainability.

Green guides for the printing industry

• Environmental action for the printing industry. This guide is designed to provide operators in the printing industry with valuable information on improving their environmental performance
• Sustainable Green Print accreditation is the Australian printing industry's own recognisable certification program designed to help printing companies meet their environmental responsibilities and go above and beyond compliance
• The Green Table Australia Scheme has been set up by the Restaurant and Catering Association to recognise restaurants and catering businesses that are doing what they can to reduce their CO² emissions. The program is based on the Canadian Green Table program.

Statewide programs for all industries

Sustainability advantage
The Sustainability Advantage program provides NSW businesses with support to boost your environmental performance. website ph: (02) 8837 600

Energy efficiency for small business program
The NSW government offers individual energy assessments and audits to help NSW businesses save money and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. website ph: 1300 361 967

NSW green business program
The NSW Green Business Program provides $30 million over five years for projects that will save water and energy in business operations in NSW. Round 2 is expected to be held in early 2009.

Local support

Many local councils provide assistance to business to minimise resource consumption and waste. Contact your local council to see if they have a program that can help you.

Industry support

Most industry associations provide support to improve environmental performance of the sector. Contact your industry association to see if they can provide you with industry specific assistance.