Awards
Environmentally Friendly Australia Awards
We have been environmentally conscious for the last 30 years when we moved to our 5 acres where we have since built the pool which is now the focus of “Sue Pryor Swimming”.
We have always
-saved water
-saved energy
-recycled
-re-used
-composted whenever possible in our daily living and have continued this philosophy with the running of the business.
Recycling
-use recycled toilet paper and hand towels
-provide recyclable containers for our healthy food which we sell (bulk buy of loose items that we then package in recyclable packs)
-provide recycling bin for all recyclable products (paper, cardboard, plastic containers) and educate parents and children to use them
-10 cent deposit on all our cans, drink containers, milk cartons etc go into a separate bin
-
We provide 4 bins outside1) recyclables
2) food scraps
3) drinks deposit containers ( 10 cents refund)
4) waste.
Re-use
-scrap paper (confidential papers are shredded) and we re-use paper in the office and also provide for swimmers waiting for lessons, to sit and draw on
-RI Treat system re-uses grey water from the house and business which is used to water the orchard and vegetable garden (not root crops).
Cleaning
-use Enjo products so no chemicals
-use Eucalyptus oil as disinfectant
-vinegar, carb soda as other cleaners
-no strong toilet cleaners to upset RI Treat septic re-usable system
-‘FlyCo’ every summer with natural insect spray which lasts all summer but is non-toxic to us or the environment
-eco-friendly soaps provided.
Energy Saving
-fluorescent lighting above pool and in the office and reception area
-also time delayed lighting system for car park – for the last person to leave
-timers on filters, O3, pumps, heaters etc
-natural lighting in pool and office (facing north) large windows which can be open to allow
natural ventilation
-with north facing buildings to allow maximum light, ventilation and warmth in winter, but
pergolas with deciduous creepers (stunning bougainvillea) to provide shelter and shade in
summer
-north facing, insulation and natural ventilation decreases the reliance on heating and cooling
systems (ie heaters and air conditioners). Use ceiling fans and open windows before air
conditioner
-solar heating for pool, house, office and reception, hot water and organising to set up solar
grid panels to produce energy
-heat pumps have reduced the reliance on gas (no gas in summer now)
-wooden frames of buildings (natural) with insulation to maintain comfortable temperature
-whirligigs above the pool to aid ventilation but without cooling the area in winter. Gas wall
heater in winter warms the air around and above the pool and aids in ventilating the air as
well
-paperless trail – email where possible, weekly noticeboard notes, newsletters, invoices. For
those without email, print minimal copies. Use website for information also
-4-5 star rating on appliances – fridge, microwave, washing machine etc.
Compost (Waste use)
-shredded paper composted with green food waste scraps of swimmers (bin provided outside pool) for the worm farm
Waterwise
-drought tolerant, heavily mulched garden entrance to pool saves water but still provides an attractive, inviting entrance to the pool (especially stunning bougainvillea)
-keep alive lawned area adjacent to pool for swimmers (and siblings) to play on before/after lessons (within water restrictions we use a new type of dripper hose to reduce evaporation and improve absorption)
-water only at night and fortnightly (1 hour)
-rainwater for house, pool and showers
-RI Treat which re-uses grey water
-timers in garden watering
-rinse off showers only
-trying to find how to re-use back wash water from pool (reed beds?)