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WINNER JULY 2015: THE NOODLE SHOP
The Noodle Shop has kept its carbon footprint and environmental impacts
low through sharing resources and using local suppliers. Locally-sourced
products are not transported as far, so there are fewer associated emissions.
As well as purchasing as many products and as much produce as possible from
Te Awamutu and the surrounding area, The Noodle Shop collaborates with
another shop to have a shared recycling system, as kerbside recycling is not
yet available to businesses. Waste oil and food is also recycled, with a local
farmer collecting scraps for his pigs. The Noodle Shop illustrates how even a
small business can create links and partnerships with other organisations and
individuals in their community, and work together to find mutually beneficial
solutions.
The Noodle Shop is a Thai eatery located at 124 Sloane Street. They can be contacted by phoning 07 871 2070.
SUSTAINABILITY CHAMPION OF THE YEAR
Matariki Motor Lodge
is the worthy winner of the Sustainability Champion
of the Year Award, to recognise their exemplary dedication to sustainability in
all their operations. As well as their water management practices which won
them the Sustainability Champion Award in April 2015, they have numerous
other processes and infrastructure to ensure the environmental impacts of
their business are minimal.
To maximise their energy efficiency, Matariki Motor Lodge have installed
double-glazed windows and wall insulation, use only low-energy light bulbs,
and have energy efficient heat pumps in each room. To minimise their waste
generation, on-wall pumps for shampoo and body wash have been installed,
resulting in much less plastic and product waste. All waste – including that
generated by guests – is separated into landfill and recyclables. Environmental
considerations are also a key component of the lodge’s purchasing decisions –
they buy products that have lower environmental impacts than conventional
alternatives.
“ We are delighted to be acknowledged with this award. The practices we have put in
place, for example recycling, using rainwater for laundry, and using long-life [light]
bulbs have an environmental and economic benefit, and we are always looking to see
what else we can do to reduce our ecological footprint.”
Deborah Hamilton, Matariki Motor Lodge.
The prize for the Sustainability Champion of the Year is a night at Solscape Eco-Retreat in Raglan. Solscape is a
provider of simple and luxury eco-accommodation, and offers many different opportunities for self-development
and protection of the natural world. To learn about their work or make a booking, visit
www.solscape.co.nz.To nominate a business for the monthly Sustainability Champion Award, please visit
www.teawamutuchamber.org.nz/sustainability-champion-nomination.Deborah Hamilton receiving their
Sustainability Champion Award from
Waikato regional councillor,
Alan Livingston.
Chief Preechavanitvong