The department's objective is to improve its environmental performance in accordance with the Energy Efficiency in Government Operations Policy while maintaining services of the highest quality.
The Treasury has an Environmental Management Plan which details its environmental policies and programmes, which accord with its agreed commitments under the Treasury Building Management Committee Green Improvement Agreement.
Energy management
The Treasury is progressing various energy savings initiatives in the Treasury building, including the upgrade of the tenancy lighting control system.
Environmental initiatives already implemented and ongoing include:
- the procurement of five star energy rated electrical appliances;
- installation of motion sensors to control lighting in areas of infrequent use;
- the installation of double glazed windows in pilot areas, in the tenancy; and
- signage and intranet messaging to encourage employees to minimise the department's energy use.
The Treasury uses 10 per cent Greenpower in the Treasury building, determined by an existing whole of government procurement arrangement for electricity.
The Treasury used approximately 5088 mega joules of electricity per person for office tenant light and power, below the Energy Efficiency in Government Operations Policy target of 7,500 mega joules per person per annum.
In 2013-14 total tenant light and power consumption was approximately 2,005,553 kilowatt hours.
Recycling
Commingled and organic recycling
All tenancy kitchens have recycling stations to facilitate the segregation of waste into approved recycling streams; commingled recycling and organic waste recycling. Staff are encouraged to dispose of waste appropriately in order to maximise recycling.
During the 2013-14 reporting period the Treasury recycled 6.2 tons of commingled waste, 4.9 tons of used paper towel and 5.4 tons of organic waste. This is an increase on the previous year of approximately 5 per cent.
Paper recycling
The Treasury recycles paper and cardboard waste products. Classified waste paper is shredded, then pulped and reused in the production of paper and cardboard products.
The Treasury also participates in the recycling of toner cartridges, fluorescent lighting tubes and batteries, and the department promotes the recycling of old mobile phones, donating them to charity.
Vehicles
In the 2013-14 financial year, the departmental fleet vehicles comprised three cars. During this period the fleet consumed approximately 2,095 litres of fuel and travelled an estimated total of 18,562 kilometres.
The department promotes and supports the biofuels/ethanol industry in Australia by using E10 blended fuel.
During the 2013-14 financial year departmental pool vehicles averaged a Green Vehicle Guide of 14; this combines air pollution and greenhouse ratings.
Air Travel
Treasury employees are encouraged to minimise air travel and fleet vehicle usage. They are instructed to undertake travel only where there is a demonstrated business need. Telepresence, teleconferencing and videoconferencing are encouraged as alternatives.
Resource efficiencies
The department has rolled-out 'follow-me-print', a secure printing facility that allows staff to print documents at any available printer by authenticating themselves using a swipe card. 'Follow-me-print' automatically purges any print jobs not accessed within a set timeframe and has print consumables reduced by approximately 20 per cent. Automatic double-sided printing also reduces the amount of paper consumed.
In compliance with the Australian Government ICT Sustainability Plan 2010-2015, the department's general use office copy paper has a post-consumer recycled content of 50 per cent.
Water
Treasury uses different types of water flow restriction controls and water-efficient appliances in kitchens and toilets to minimise water use.
The tenancies in the Treasury building are not separately metered for water consumption.