Melbourne SME announces goal to become carbon neutral by 2023

Family-owned tapware manufacturer Sussex Taps has set a goal to become carbon neutral over the next two years.

Sussex’s announcement of a 2023 target included goals of reducing energy and landfill by 10 per cent a year and packaging and water by 5 per cent a year, as well as a partnership with carbon neutral developer Nightingale Housing as a preferred tapware supplier for the next three years.

“We see this as a big opportunity to instil optimism about the future of the local manufacturing industry in Australia, and to show what’s possible,” said the company’s Creative Director Vanessa Katsanevakis in a statement.

“We are ardent supporters of the Australian manufacturing industry, and we want to instil the role it has in younger generations too. Particularly now, there needs to be a focus on supporting local jobs and preserving local knowledge and skill. If we can do that at the same time as harnessing innovative new technologies, I think we can see a revival of our manufacturing industry.”

(Click here for an @AuManufacturing interview with Katsanevakis from April.)

According to Sussex, its sustainability initiatives include installing 100 kW of solar panels in 2018 and installing LED lighting at its four Melbourne sites in Melbourne’s north over 2016 – 2000, and operating a “closed loop” for brass inputs, reusing swarf, at its foundry.

The company employs around 65 across its sites.

Image: supplied

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