Environmental review report of The Open Polytechnic of New Zealand 2002.

Abstract

The main objective of this environmental report is to benchmark the current position in order to devise quantitative and qualitative measures to reduce environmental impacts at The Open Polytechnic of New Zealand and to support the implementation of its environmental policy and The Natural Step framework. In this report the environmental performance at The Open Polytechnic of New Zealand is investigated at the Waiwhetu Campus, with separate analyses provided for the Print Shop and the Cafeteria. Analysis of the Business Centres in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch is outside the scope of this report. Areas of environmental impact investigated are paper use, electricity and natural gas consumption, water use, waste generation, emissions, recycling activities and cleaning. Recommendations are made throughout the report with the aim of reducing adverse environmental impacts. In addition to actions geared specifically to each area of environmental performance, general aspects considered are: (1) the improvement of monitoring and reporting of the environmental impacts on campus, (2) education of staff, particularly about implementation of The Natural Step framework, (3) analysis of campus-wide opportunities to save energy, and (4) introduction of a policy that considers the environmental performance of contractors to The Open Polytechnic of New Zealand. The report shows that improved environmental management would benefit the financial, as well as the environmental, bottom line.