Support Programs
There are a range of support programs available for tourism operators who are interested in sustainability.
Grow Me the Money
Grow Me The Money is a 12 month online program that helps small to medium sized businesses become more sustainable and save money in the process. Grow Me The Money provides businesses with the tools, resources and support to use less energy and water, create less waste and save money. Adopting sustainable business practices doesn't just mean a healthier planet, it also means a healthier bottom line.
Visit growmethemoney.com.au or ring 03 8662 5480 to learn more.
ECO-Buy Business
ECO-Buy is a government funded organisation established to encourage the purchasing of green products across local government and business, encouraging organisations to buy products that are less damaging to our environment and human health.
ECO-Buy Business membership is open to Victorian businesses employing over 100 staff. However, smaller businesses are able to utilise the following ECO-Buy resources:
- ECO-Find – an online database listing thousands of green products
- ECO-Bonus – discounts and incentives from specific suppliers
- ECO-Guide – template purchasing policy, green shopping list, environmental specifications for tenders
- ECO-Expos – invitations to expos to see, hear, touch and smell green products
- Newsletter – access to the ECO-Buy newsletter What Goes Around Comes Around
For more information go to the ECO-Buy website or contact the ECO-Buy Business Program Manager on (03) 9667 5587.
Caravan Park Resource Efficiency Project
The Caravan Park Resource Efficiency Project is managed by a partnership under the North East Regional Waste Management Group, NevRwaste. The Project aims to assist caravan parks in the North East to minimise their environmental impacts through effective management of energy, water and waste, with a particular focus on wastewater disposal.
For more information email NevRwaste: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Savings In The City
Savings in the City is an environmental program to help city hotels cut energy, water and waste consumption, offering financial and environmental gains to hotel operators. The program provides leadership, support, recognition and advice to hotels located within the City of Melbourne, and encourages involvement in both Waste Wise Business and Green Globe 21 programs.
For more information go to Savings in the City website.
VIC1000
VIC 1000 is a pilot sustainable business management program working with 1000 small to medium size enterprises in 5 regions throughout Victoria. Through better understanding of their business operations, participating businesses are empowered to reduce their level of environmental impact, while at the same time saving significant amounts on their operating costs. Working with local councils and trader groups to develop communal strategies, the program brings benefits to both the businesses and residents of local communities.
For more information go to the VIC 1000 website.
Waste Wise
The Waste Wise Business program provides resources and support for businesses to improve their waste management practices and reduce the volume of landfill waste. Businesses can apply for Waste Wise certification which is a great way of demonstrating achievements to guests and staff. Certified organisations also have opportunities for publicity through workshops, forums, newsletters, website and published case studies.
The program is managed by Sustainability Victoria and delivered by experienced facilitators from within Sustainability Victoria and Regional Waste Management Groups around Victoria. With the support of your facilitator, the five steps of the Waste Wise program will guide you through the assessment of waste streams and costs, show you how to develop and maintain a waste reduction action plan, and help you to manage the change that will be an essential element of successfully achieving your goals. The five steps to becoming Waste Wise are:
- Making a commitment
- Developing an action plan
- Implementing the action plan
- Monitoring and reporting results
- Building on experience to achieve continual improvement
The Waste Wise Hotels Toolkit has been designed to enable hotels to develop practical programs for reducing waste - and associated costs. The toolkit has been developed for hotel managers and those responsible for staff training programs and work practices.
The toolkit is divided into manageable sections to allow you to implement Waste Wise initiatives in your own way, including:
Information on the where waste is produced in hotels and the key areas for savings
Templates to assist with taking action to reduce, reuse and recycle waste
Information sheets and tips for staff training
Case studies and further resources
For more information on the Waste Wise Business program, or to download the Waste Wise Hotels Toolkit, go to the Sustainability Victoria website or call (03) 8626 8700.
Gumnut Awards
The Gumnut Awards is a progressive rating scheme for holiday, tourist and residential parks that recognise a commitment to environmental sustainability and social responsibility. Parks are granted a Gold, Silver or Bronze Award based on their level of achievement in environmental management.
For more information go to The Gumnut Awards website.
Keep Winter Cool
The Keep Winter Cool initiative aims to raise community awareness of the potential effects of climate change on alpine environments and snow sports and demonstrate a commitment by alpine area managers and snow sport industries to reduce their own greenhouse gas emissions.
For more information go to the Keep Winter Cool webiste.
Energise Business
Energise Business is a pilot program designed to reduce greenhouse gases and boost the bottom line of small business in the township of Port Fairy. Local businesses are encouraged to adopt energy efficiency principles in their business management, demonstrating a commitment to improving their local environment and reducing greenhouse gases.
For more information contact the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Carbon Innovators Network
EPA Victoria has been approached by a number of businesses for support and advice on climate change. In response, EPA has established the Carbon Innovators Network – a network for business leaders and climate change experts.
EPA will help organisations strategically and practically address their carbon emissions, and in doing so transform climate change from a business cost to a business opportunity. We want to stimulate debate and innovation in carbon management and provide the support and tools businesses require to develop appropriate carbon management strategies.
To become a Network member or for further information go to the EPA Victoria website.
Resource Smart Business
Sustainability Victoria is helping to assist Victorian businesses identify, design and implement sustainable energy solutions. For more information on these initiatives visit Sustainability Victoria.
For more information go to the Sustainability Victoria website.