Becoming a sustainable business

sustainable business

Our aim is to educate and inspire you to make your business a sustainable business. With more and more consumers investigating the environmental impacts of the products and services they buy, it is crucial Casey businesses are adopting environmentally sustainable practices and promoting this to their customers.

Here are some ideas to get you thinking. If you have suggestions or anything to add, please contact us at sustainability@casey.vic.gov.au

Use sustainable giveaway items

Giveaway items such as lanyards, toys, or notepads often end up in landfill. If you want to see your brand remain with the customer and not end up in landfill, consider giveaway items that promote sustainability. Here is a list of alternative items to consider:

Reusable coffee cups
Reusable water bottles
Reusable produce or bulk food bags
Soaps and shampoo bars
Reusable cutlery sets
Pencils and pens made of recycled materials
Reusable Sandwich containers
Silicone straws
Flower or vegetable seeds
Plants or seedlings
Eco-friendly/non-toxic candle

Register as a Responsible Cafe

The Responsible Cafes website allows cafes to be recognised for their efforts to reduce their waste and carbon emissions by providing them with a ‘responsible bean rating’ and map listing for customers to find them. You can also access posters to place in your cafe to promote the cause!

Dispose of waste correctly

If your business has a material that you are unsure of where to dispose of correctly, go to the City of Casey waste disposal directory and type in the item . Options are provided for local or nearby resource recovery facilities and other disposal options. For other options visit Planet Ark’s business directory to find waste and recycling services near you.

Gardens for Wildlife

Gardens for Wildlife (G4W) is a free program that equips gardeners of all abilities with the support they need to create a wildlife-friendly garden in Casey. This program is a partnership between the City of Casey and the Casey community in affiliation with Gardens for Wildlife Victoria.

The program involves a local volunteer visiting your business, assessing your outdoor space and providing a written report with recommended plants that will encourage birds, bees, butterflies and other wildlife into your property. They can suggest other additions to your gardens to benefit the local wildlife, such as a water source for birds, rocks for lizards or logs for small bugs.

If your business has a courtyard, garden, rooftop area or outdoor space, register your interest to have a Gardens for Wildlife volunteer visit you.

Stop using single-use plastics

From 1 February 2023, the Victorian Government banned problematic single-use plastics from sale and supply.

This ban applies to the following single-use plastic items made from conventional, degradable, or compostable plastics:

drinking straws
cutlery; including knives, forks, spoons, chopsticks, and food picks
plates
drink stirrers
expanded polystyrene food and drink containers
cotton bud sticks

All Casey businesses should make plans to replace single-use items with reusables. Where it is not possible to use reusable items, you can choose single-use items made from alternative materials – such as uncoated paper, wood or bamboo.

For more information, refer to:

Other ideas for greening up your business

There's always more you can do. And the more you do, the better the result for your business and the environment!

Include public transport, walking or cycling options on your website's location directions.
Don’t offer bottled water, instead place out a jug and glasses.
Offer discounts or incentives for customers who provide their own reusable containers.
Encourage staff to bring reusable coffee cups, water bottles and bring lunch in reusable containers.
Provide vegetarian or vegan food options.
Source produce locally where possible.
Compost food scraps from staff/customers or place in the kerb side green bin.
Have streamlined waste and recycling bins, and where possible, marked with clear text and pictures to show what contents can be placed inside.
Ensure bins are easily accessible
Ensure different types of bins (e.g. general waste and recycling bins) are situated together
When decorating for an event, use paper or reusable materials such as bunting or banners, never use balloons.
If possible, avoid or minimise printed flyers and opt for digital messaging.
Engage contractors, services or suppliers who have environmental standards which you want your company to be aligned with.
Promote your business’s sustainable efforts and achievements!