BSBSUS501 Assessment 1

Develop workplace policy and procedures for sustainability

Part 1
This activity requires you to take responsibility with an organisation for
developing workplace sustainability policy. You are provided with case study
/scenario in the Additional Information at the end of the project. You must
use this information to complete the project tasks.

Task 1
Conduct a review of the organisations current position in terms of
sustainability practices. This could include a review of:
Management commitment
Planning & communication processes
Waste management (water & solid)
Air emission management
Hazardous materials management
Environmental emergencies and response
Site security
Visual impact (greening of site, maintenance)
Cultural & biological impacts
Energy use
 a) Market World Shopping Centre
Sustainability Practices
Current Position
Market World Shopping Centre is a well known and respected community
shopping complex, established in 1970, in Sydney. Its location, about 30
kilometers south of Sydney, puts it among a large multicultural population
of well-to-do people who visit the center regularly for many of their
shopping needs. There are a large number of big retailers, 15 fashion
outlets, about 20 food stores offering specialty food products. In addition
to this, there are 3 banks, one post office, and a library inside the
shopping center catering to the needs of the visitors. An optometrist, a dry
cleaner, a pharmacy, and a travel agency are also among specialty services
present in the shopping center.
Market World Shopping Centre is managed by a team of professionals who
have a very keen sense of business and a commitment towards
environmental sustainability. Lately, the team has been working on the
development and implementation of a sustainability policy in order to
bring sustainability to all important business decisions.
A full-scale environmental sustainability survey was done on all systems in
operation inside the shopping center. Many areas of concern were
brought to notice as a result of the exercise.
In the first stage of implementation of sustainability policy, the project team
has identified three main areas of concern, namely water usage, energy
usage, and waste management.
It was observed that although there is no formal sustainability policy for the
whole complex but there are some very good sustainability initiatives
implemented by some retailers and businesses. 6 businesses recycle their
paper waste and 3 food outlets are using separate bins for collecting
recyclable waste and food waste.

The following table summarizes the key observations made during the survey.

Existing system Problems

Heating and Gas Boiler System Highly inefficient
Ventilation
Car park exhaust fans Not optimally used
manually operated because of human
dependence
Lighting Centrally Controlled Individual users cannot
turn off the lights when
not in use
Mostly Incandescent Uses more energy and
bulbs used in the creates unwanted heat
shopping centre
Waste Management Only about 10% waste Industry best practice
recycled is over 40% recycling
General waste and food Separation of waste
waste not separated very important for
recycling
Water usage 4 Leaking taps Wastage of water
4 Trough type urinal Uses an average of 200
systems kilolitres of water each
year
Basin taps not with flow Wastage of water
restrictors
Older style single flush The users cannot
systems in toilets decide to use less
water
 Power Usage No building Wastage of power
management system in throughout the centre
place

b) Identify and describe required sustainability initiatives for Market

World Shopping Centre

Required Sustainability Initiatives:

1. Heating and Ventilation Energy spent on heating and ventilation
in Market World Shopping Centre will be substantially reduced by
focusing on insulation and use of natural elements to minimize the
requirements of heating and ventilation.
2. Lighting Management Plan This plan envisages efficient and
effective utilization of natural lighting to minimize use of artificial
lighting. In addition to that, computerized control systems will be
installed to manage artificial lighting in terms of illumination
requirements of individual area. Use of bright colours throughout
the building will also minimize the energy load required for
lighting.
3. Waste Management Plan It is planned that the current Waste
creation and recycling practices will be improved with a view to
make Market World Shopping Centre a zero waste organization. All
stakeholders will be taken into confidence and will be asked to
support the initiative.
4. Water Usage Plan The present water usage of Market World
Shopping Centre will substantially be reduced by efficient water
usage practices and use of efficient water systems that include
replacing all water facilities with efficient ones. Use of grey water
will be maximized wherever possible to help minimize the use of
fresh water.
5. Power Usage Plan Power usage of Market World Shopping
Centre will be minimized by controlling unnecessary use of power
in air-conditioning, heating, and lighting, as mentioned above. In
addition to these areas of concern, power management will also
involve using efficient systems in lifts, escalators, control entry
systems, and machines used in cleaning, processing, and other
uses throughout the shopping centre.
c) Research the following and describe best practice models relevant to
the business sector (in this case shopping centre).
i. Information gathered from above task
In view of the information gathered in surveying existing
sustainability practices, a best practice model was developed
ensuring minimizing energy use and maximizing natural
elements, wherever possible.
ii. Relevant laws, standards and guidelines for the industry
The relevant laws, standards, and guidelines for sustainability
practices include
1. Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999
This act has an objective to provide a legal framework for
protecting and managing important environmental resources
including flora, fauna, ecological communities, and places of
heritage value.
2. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Heritage Protection Act
1984
3. Antarctic Acts
4. Antarctic Marine Living Resources Conservation Act 1981
5. Antarctic Treaty Act 1960
6. Antarctic Treaty (Environment Protection) Act 1980
7. Australian Antarctic Territory Acceptance Act 1933
8. Australian Antarctic Territory Act 1954
9. Australian Energy Market Act 2004
10. Australian Heritage Council Act 2003
11. Australian National Registry of Emissions Units Act 2011
12. Australian Renewable Energy Agency Act 2011
13. Australian Renewable Energy Agency (Consequential
Amendments and Transitional Provisions) Act 2011
14. Building Energy Efficiency Disclosure Act 2010
15. Captains Flat (Abatement of Pollution) Agreement Act 1975
16. Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative) Act 2011
17. Clean Energy Finance Corporation Act 2012
18. Clean Energy Legislation (Carbon Tax Repeal) Act 2014
19. Clean Energy Regulator Act 2011
20. Climate Change Authority Act 2011
21. Environment Protection (Alligator Rivers Region) Act 1978
22. Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999
23. Environment Protection (Sea Dumping) Act 1981
24. Fuel Quality Standards Act 2000
25. Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Acts
26. Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975
27. Great Barrier Reef Marine Park (Environmental Management
Charge-Excise) Act 1993
28. Great Barrier Reef Marine Park (Environmental Management
Charge-General) Act 1993
29. Greenhouse and Energy Minimum Standards Act 2012
30. Greenhouse and Energy Minimum Standards (Registration Fees)
Act 2012
31. Hazardous Waste (Regulation of Exports and Imports) Act 1989
32. Heard Island and McDonald Islands Act 1953
33. Historic Shipwrecks Act 1976
34. Meteorology Act 1955
35. Moomba-Sydney Pipeline System Sale Act 1994
36. National Environment Protection Council Act 1994
37. National Environment Protection Measures (Implementation)
Act 1998
38. National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Act 2007
39. Natural Heritage Trust of Australia Act 1997
40. Natural Resources Management (Financial Assistance) Act 1992
41. Ozone protection and synthetic greenhouse gas acts
42. Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas (Import Levy)
Act 1995
43. Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas (Import Levy)
(Transitional Provisions) Act 1995
44. Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management
Act 1989
45. Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas (Manufacture
Levy) Act 1995
46. Product Stewardship Act 2011
47. Product Stewardship (Oil) Act 2000
48. Removal of Prisoners (Territories) Act 1923 - insofar as it relates
to the Territory of Heard Island and McDonald Islands and the
Australian Antarctic Territory
49. Renewable Energy (Electricity) Act 2000
50. Renewable Energy (Electricity) (Large-scale Generation Shortfall
Charge) Act 2000
51. Renewable Energy (Electricity) (Small-scale Technology Shortfall
Charge) Act 2010
52. Sea Installations Act 1987
53. Snowy Hydro Corporatisation Act 1997
54. Snowy Mountains Engineering Corporation (Conversion into
Public Company) Act 1989
 55. Snowy Mountains Engineering Corporation Limited Sale Act 1993
56. Sydney Harbour Federation Trust Act 2001
57. Tasmania Agreement (Hydro-Electric Power Development) Act
1968
58. True-up Shortfall levy (Excise) (Carbon Tax Repeal) Act 2014
59. True-up Shortfall levy (General) (Carbon Tax Repeal) Act 2014
60. Water Act 2007, Part 6
61. Wet Tropics of Queensland World Heritage Area Conservation
Act 1994

iii. Government initiatives

The state and territory government departments dealing with
environmental legislation and administering environment
protection policies are as follows

ACT Environment and Planning Directorate

www.environment.act.gov.au
New South Wales Office of Environment and Heritage
www.environment.nsw.gov.au
Northern Territory Department of Lands, Planning, and the
Environment
www.dlp.nt.gov.au
Queensland Department of Environment and Heritage
Protection
www.ehp.qld.gov.au
Tasmania Department of Primary industries, Parks,
Water, and Environment
www.dpiw.tas.gov.au
Victoria Department of Environment, Land, Water,
and Planning
www.delwp.vic.gov.au
Western Australia Department of Environment Regulation
www.der.wa.gov.au
 iv. ISO 14001:1996

This International Standard specifies requirements for an

environmental management system, to enable an organization
to formulate a policy and objectives taking into account
legislative requirements and information about significant
environmental impacts. It applies to those environmental
aspects which the organization can control and over which it
can be expected to have an influence. It does not itself state
specific environmental performance criteria. --- Environmental
management systemsSpecification with guidance for use

v. Organisations strategic & business plans

Organisations Strategic and Business Plans focus on
maximizing shareholder value with a sound business policy
based on sustainable business practices, in line with the
relevant legislation and codes of practice.
vi. Best practice models applied by other shopping centres
Other competitors have demonstrated great interest in
developing and maintaining a sustainable business model. Best
Practice Models of Network Shopping Centre, Hobson
Shopping District, Trango Towers, and Best Eastern Shopping
Precinct are of special interest.

d) Describe who could be consulted within the development of policy

For the best development and implementation of any policy it is
essential for all stakeholders to take ownership of it. The
Sustainability Policy is also to be developed with consultation of all
stakeholders. People to be consulted for the development and
implementation of the Sustainability Policy include:
1. Owners and/or managers of the business establishments in the
centre
2. A large sample of visitors to the centre including suppliers,
shoppers, security personnel, etc.
3. Government agencies
4. Sustainability experts
 5. General Public
e) Make recommendations for policy options based on the likely
effectiveness, timeframes, and cost. This could include barriers to
changing policy, costs for changes, timeframes for implementation,
and responsibilities for implementation.
Recommendations:
It is recommended that Market World Shopping Centre employs a full
time Sustainability Director reporting to the CEO.
A full scale survey of all equipment and systems used in the Market
World Shopping Centre should be initiated using external expert
evaluators.
This could then be compared with the desired equipment and
systems as developed with the help of expert suppliers.
A step wise conversion and replacement plan should be developed
and implemented considering available human and financial
resources.

f) Develop sustainability policy with the following headings:

i. Purpose (the context of the policy, why it is required)

Purpose of this policy is to make sure that Market World
Shopping Centre is well ahead of its competitors in following a
well-designed sustainability practices program. At this stage of
human evolution when our planet is passing through extreme
pressure due to unsustainable use of natural resources and
increasing human population, all businesses have real
responsibility to minimize their impact on the planet.
ii. Scope (the application of the policy particular location,
workgroups, coverage etc.)
The scope of this policy is limited to water usage, energy usage,
and waste management. In future other areas of concern will
also be addressed.
iii. Procedure (how the policy is implemented)
This policy will be implemented by following this procedure:
 1. Communication All relevant details of the policy will first
be communicated to all stakeholders. This will help getting
their support and eventual success of the policy.
2. Step by step replacement of energy guzzling equipment and
systems, replacing these with efficient ones as identified in
the specific policy.
3. Remodeling activities such as repainting, opening up areas
for natural light, applying dust resistant surfaces to floors
and walls, etc. in accordance with the plan without
disrupting the normal business activities.
4. Continuous monitoring and evaluation of the
implementation by assigned personnel.
5. Reporting and communication of the results of all such
activities on a continuous basis to all stakeholders.
iv. Roles and responsibilities (who is responsible for the
implementation of the policy)
At present the Sustainability Committee will be responsible for
the implementation of the policy. After the appointment of a
full time Sustainability Manager, this responsibility will be
handed over accordingly.
v. Communication (how the policy is communicated to the
stakeholders)
Appropriate communication strategy will be utilized to
maximize the conveyance of relevant messages to all
concerned. These will include, but not be limited to, arranging
seminars, using display boards, mailing progress reports, etc.
vi. Review (how frequently the policy will be reviewed)
Progress of the policy will be continuously reviewed on a
monthly basis.
vii. Legislation (reference any legislation that the policy specifically
complies with)
The policy will be designed to specifically comply with all
relevant legislation especially the Environment Protection and
Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.
g) Explain how you developed policy that reflects Market World
Shopping Centres commitment to sustainability and as a business
opportunity
The Sustainability Policy was developed through a step by step
process starting with a detailed survey of existing practices and
exiting equipment and systems being used. Expert advice was sought
for analyzing the impact of existing practices and systems and
identifying appropriate practices, equipment, and systems that will be
implemented and acquired. All stakeholders were consulted and
taken into confidence while the policy was being developed. All
relevant suggestions were presented for evaluation and were used
wherever possible.

h) Prepare an implementation plan for the new policy

i. Description of sustainability initiative being implemented

ii. Implementation timelines and milestones

iii. Strategies for minimising resource use, reducing toxic material and
hazardous chemical use, and employing life cycle management
approaches

iv. Sustainability or environmental targets or key performance

indicators

v. Organisational costs for implemented the required changes

vi. An outline of the monitoring approaches to gather reporting

information throughout implementation

viii. A description of how continuous improvement for the process

will be implemented and managed
 IMPLEMENTATION PLAN
1. Heating and Ventilation
Timeline
Aug Remodeling activity as per plan, opening in walls
2017 and ceilings to allow natural airflow
Nov Application of better insulation on all walls and
2017 ceilings
Jan 2018 Plantation activity of all identified available areas
inside and outside the complex
Mar Gas boiler replacement with efficient air-con
2018 system
Key Performance Indicators:
Heating and Ventilation bills to be monitored
Total cost of the initiative:
$250,000 to be spent in 12 months

2. Lighting Management Plan

Timeline
Aug Remodeling activity as per plan, fixing a glass
2017 wall replacing concreted wall on the South facing
faade and introducing ceiling skylights in all
possible areas to introduce natural light into the
building
Oct 2017 Repainting of walls and application of new wall
coverings in light and bright colours
Jan 2018 Fluorescent lamps used after replacing all
incandescent lamps in the shopping centre, LED
strip lighting replacing all neon strip lighting.
Feb 2018 Installing a computerized light management
system that controls light intensity in all areas as
per use and requirement
Key Performance Indicators:
 Lighting Bill
Total cost of the initiative:
$100,000 to be spent in 12 months
3. Waste Management Plan
Timeline
Aug 2017 Strict implementation of No bags policy,
replacing the single use plastic bags with
multiple use bags.
Sep 2017 Waste separation system installed throughout
the complex for sorting out food waste, paper
waste, and other recyclable waste.
Oct 2018 Contract with a recycling company to collect and
efficiently recycle all waste from the complex
Jan2018 Establishment of a worm farm for conversion of
food waste into fertilizer that will be used on all
green areas inside and outside the complex
Key Performance Indicators:
Total waste generated
Total waste recycled
Total cost of the initiative:
$50,000 to be spent in 12 months

4. Water Usage Plan

Timeline
Aug 2017 All leaking taps and fixtures fixed
Water saving urinals introduced
Sep 2017 Rainwater collection system installed
Oct 2017 Flow restrictors installed on all basin taps
Nov 2017 Greywater usage system installed that uses
greywater in toilet flush and for watering
plantation
Jan 2018 Dual flush toilet systems installed replacing the
 single flush ones in all toilets in the complex
Key Performance Indicators:
Total water usage
Total cost of the initiative:
$80,000 to be spent in 12 months

5. Power Usage Plan

Timeline
Aug 2017 Solar panels installed on appropriate roof
areas
Nov 2017 All equipment using power checked for
necessary maintenance and lubrication
Jan 2018 Old motors replaced with new efficient motors
in all lifts and escalators
Mar 2018 Building Management system installed

Key Performance Indicators:

Total power bill

Total cost of the initiative:

$100,000 to be spent in 12 months
Task 2

a) Prepare and deliver a presentation to your team mates and assessor. Include
the following information:

Brief overview of the process you followed to draft the policy

Recommendations for policy options
Compliance with relevant legislative requirements
The process you will use to communicate and implement the policy
The benchmark indicators you propose to use to measure improvement
Stakeholders who are responsible for the implementation
Presentation submitted separately in the form of a PowerPoint Presentation

Part 1. Checklist and Scope of Submission

Before you hand in part 1, use the checklist below to make sure you have
completed all the tasks and have included all relevant information.

Conducted a review of existing sustainability practices

Described required sustainability initiatives for the Market World
Shopping Centre
Described best practice models relevant to the business
Described who could be consulted
Made recommendations for policy options
Developed sustainability policy
Explained how the policy reflects the centres commitment to
sustainability and as a business opportunity
Prepared an implementation plan
Delivered a presentation
Submitted PowerPoint slides