EarthCheck

Sustainability saves companies 30pc

By Lucy Ardern 

GOLD Coast tourism businesses have cut their operational costs by up to 30 per cent in the past few months thanks to a new sustainability course.

The 25 companies signed up to work with EC3 Global and design individual sustainability plans in a Business GC initiative.

Key changes made by businesses included the shift by Cedar Lakes country resort to use solar and gas heating for pools, the capture of waste water from air-conditioners for irrigation by Sandy Point Beach Resort and Con-X-ion changing to iPads for coach drivers instead of paper.

JPT Tours was among the group and communication manger Allison Forner said it was worth the effort just to cut down on office supplies because of an increased environmental awareness.

"We saved $2000 in three months just because of the reductions in paper and toner,'' she said.

According to Gold Coast Mayor Ron Clarke being greener would also make the businesses more attractive to potential customers.

"With an increasing number of environmentally-conscious holiday-makers, the program has been aimed at helping local tourism operators in an increasingly competitive market,'' he said.

"People are now not just choosing their hotels and tourism operators based on price or facilities and they are also looking at how companies do business and their environmental efforts.''

Source: goldcoast.com.au