Ambience Boutique’s
Environmentally Sustainable Business Practices
Follow Ambience Boutique’s lead …
Here are some of the environmental issues that Ambience Boutique considered and the ways in which they were addressed.
CO2 Emissions - ‘greatest concern but the easiest to address’
The Result – ‘our carbon offset is very small for a very modest financial outlay’
Reduced consumption – change to using LCD spotlights rather than halogen; turn lights off at night; results in efficient and economic heating/cooling
Changed energy supplier to Tru-Energy to offset carbon emissions from power generation
Subscribed to Greenfleetto offset carbon emissions from using motor vehicle and flights
Changed to sending emails rather than paper mail outs
Buying Stock - “economic impact vs. environmentally friendly production practices a real issue;
The Result –‘Getting the balance right has proved difficult and requires more research and education’
China products cheaper but produces more emissions vs. more expensive Australian product less emissions
Limited number of ecowear and other sustainable suppliers would reduce product range
Paper vs. plastic wrapping – limited control on suppliers using unsustainable plastic wrapping when packaging.
Paper and Cardboard
The Result – most successful reduction campaign
No plastic bags are used to wrap customer purchases
Introduced incentive for customers to return paper shopping bags to the shop – 50c per bag is then paid by Ambience and given to charity for each returned bag.
All paper and cardboard brought into shop is recycled
Paper is reused instead of purchasing commercial post-it notes in takings and staff notes
Coat hangers are given to local dry cleaners
Toner cartridges, computer equipment, phones, batteries all recycled at any Australia Post’s Planet Ark depository.
Ecological Issues – Easy to implement and personally satisfying
The Result – Tangible benefits towards the preservation and conservation of our biodiverse environment
Customer’s recycled bags ‘donation’ goes to charities such as Australian Wildlife Conservancy - preserves critically endangered native species such as Bilbys, Woolies, Boodies and Numbats.
Around $500 has been donated in last 12 months from reuse of paper bags shop fund
Social Issues – There are innumerable ways in which to support others in need
The Result – WIN, WIN WIN
Supporting many of the local fundraising events and charities
The stronger the social fabric of the town the more prosperous is the community and in turn, good for businesses in general
Supporting schools in cash and in-kind, is also important as there is a strong link between education and income and other social outcomes.
Supporting local businesses through sponsorships and expertise helps to keep the local economy vibrant
Supporting the broader community by encouraging local community and businesses to make donations to flood victims in PNG. $4000 of clothing and soap donated to date.
