While the ‘land down under’ is renowned across the world for its diverse wildlife and stunning natural beauty, Australia has not always been one of the most environmentally conscious countries. Luckily, over the past decade or so, a higher rate of Aussie businesses have started to demonstrate a far more proactive and progressive approach towards conquering climate change and preserving the country’s rich rural heritage. Let’s take a closer look at Oz’s eco-friendly landscape as it stands.
Eco-Friendly Businesses Operating in Australia
As far back as 2012, it was established that Australia had a relatively low Greendex ranking, especially when compared with other front-running countries such as India and China. Although it is clear that there’s still plenty of work to do when it comes to improving sustainability in the country, a selection of companies in Australia are driving the charge for a more eco-friendly future in Oz. Some of them include:
- Edible Beauty
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The Environmental Group Limited
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Who Gives a Crap
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Casino Canberra
- The Australian Institute
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Cape Byron Distillery
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CSR Limited
Let’s examine such environmentally responsible companies doing business down under today.
Edible Beauty Australia
Edible Beauty Australia has been in business since 2014 and has quickly become one of the most hotly-discussed beauty and wellness producers in the Southern Hemisphere. Much of the furore that has accompanied the brand is due to its exemplary sustainability and environmentally-friendly ethos. Edible Beauty Australia demonstrates an inherent respect for the natural environment, from sourcing sustainable Australian botanicals and conducting responsible manufacturing processes to packaging the final product with Miron glass bottles and 100% recyclable paper, caps and pumps. It’s also worth noting here that the beauty products themselves are made using ingredients that are certified by PETA as vegan and cruelty-free.
The Environmental Group Limited
First founded way back in 1923, The Environmental Group Limited has retained a presence in the Australian stock market since 1977 and is one of the most important proponents of eco-friendly practices in the country. Over the years, researchers at the Environmental Group have provided specialized content and materials related to a wide range of eco-friendly issues, like renewable and alternative energy sources such as the use of biofuels. At present, the four branches of the Environmental Group Limited include Total Air Pollution Control (TAPC), EGL Water, Baltec IES, and the Tomlinson Energy Service.
Who Gives a Crap
This provocatively-named toilet roll manufacturer has become a household name in Australia since launching in 2013. This is because the Who Gives a Crap company is extremely eco-friendly, crafting 100% recyclable paper and donating 50% of its profits to the creation of safe, clean toilets in developing countries. As well as providing a hygienic boost to the developing world’s infrastructure, the company has also taken recent steps to install solar energy in its factories, with the ultimate aim of total carbon neutrality.
Eco-Friendly Casinos in Australia
In recent years, the land down under has seen a major shift towards eco-friendly practices in almost every industry, including the casino and gambling sector. Whereas many land-based casinos were previously considered inefficient in terms of their electricity use and excess waste, the Aussie casinos of 2024 have come a long way. As well as an increased focus on green building practices and the use of renewable energy, we’ve seen more Australian casinos make use of water-saving technologies and progressive recycling initiatives to convert waste. Some notable examples include:
- Sky City Darwin, which has heavily invested in projects focused on the reduction of emissions
- Adelaide Casino, which is now increasingly reliant on green energy
- Casino Canberra, home to a purpose-built, walkable green roof.
Many companies in Australia are making an effort to raise eco-awareness, and these casinos are leading the charge in their environmental conservation efforts. You can check the extensive list of eco-friendly casinos which are making sure to reduce their environmental footprint. They accomplish this by embracing sustainable architecture, applying water saving technologies, utilizing renewable energy sources etc.
The Australia Institute
The Australia Institute is Another noticeably eco-friendly body currently operating in the land down under. This Canberra-based think tank conducts in-depth research with the aim of positively influencing policymakers in the country. The Australia Institute’s tireless research into the field of climate change and sustainability cannot be underestimated and is sure to leave an imprint on Oz’s eco-friendly policies in the near future.
Cape Byron Distillery
Best known for producing the favorite Australian tipples Brookie’s Byron Dry Gin and Cape Byron Whiskey, there’s more to this NSW-based distillery than just booze alone. Situated in the now-dwindling subtropical rainforest, the Big Scrub, Cape Byron Distillery has taken proactive measures to replenish the environment, working in close proximity with the Big Scrub Landcare group. As well as planting more than 35,000 trees in 1988 (which has led to a resurgence of biodiversity and wildlife in the area), Cape Byron Distillery has also taken steps to create a self-sufficient closed-loop system, which both utilizes and re-composts local botanicals when making alcohol. The famous Brookie’s gin is also bottled using eco-friendly materials crafted from waste sugarcane. Cheers!
CSR Limited
CSR Limited is one of the biggest and best-known building material suppliers in Australia and neighboring New Zealand. Still, many Aussies and Kiwis may need to realize just how sustainable and eco-friendly the company really is. Boasting an environmental, social, and governance (ESG) grade of A, CSR is one of the construction industry’s most notable proponents of sustainable business practices. In 2023, the company completed a new sustainability framework for the next two years, outlining its dedication to reducing carbon emissions, investing in energy efficiency initiatives, and eliminating workplace accidents in the sector. By 2030, CSR has also pledged to carry out lifecycle assessments in order to improve the overall understanding of the potential dangers of embodied carbon in the building trade.
A More Sustainable Australia for the Future
In the 2023 Climate Change Performance Index, Australia hit 55th position in a ranking of 63 countries, climbing a further 5 places to hit 50th position the following year. While it’s clear that Australia still ranks pretty low on a global scale, there’s no denying that progress is being made, with this 2023-2024 jump serving as a key indicator of the turning tide. If more brands and businesses operating in Oz take further steps to boost their sustainable profile, we could see this ranking increase dramatically and rapidly, which can only be a good thing for the Australian eco-system, which is, of course, one of the most diverse and unique in the whole world. If you feel that we’ve missed some heavy-hitting eco-friendly businesses from our list, don’t hesitate to get in touch with some feedback and recommendations. Hooroo, and remember to stay green!
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