Fruitbowl - Fresh Ideas from Hawke's Bay

Hawkes Bay Document Technology (HBDT) is a specialist provider of Ricoh multi-functional devices, printers and document solutions. There is no denying it; they have a range of core products that consume vast quantities of trees in the form of cut sheet paper.

So many of you may question, how has HBDT become the first business in the Hawkes Bay to achieve carbon neutral ‘small enterprise’ certification?

Duncan Wallace, Managing Director, HBDT said:

“It may seem strange for a business that has grown and thrived on their customers’ use of devices that consume paper to be promoting a reduction in paper consumption. However, due to significant advancements in technology we can help our customers reduce their reliance on paper documents.”

HBDT has measured and managed (reduced) their carbon footprint and then offset their remaining unavoidable emissions by purchasing verified carbon credits from the TrustPower Tararua II PRE wind power project. They were also required to have an independent verification audit prior to certification.

Reducing and managing emissions is the most important step. HBDT established an emissions reduction plan that will help them reduce their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the next year and beyond. Mr. Wallace says,

“We are targeting key areas such as, more effectively managing our freight, couriers, company vehicles and electricity. One idea that we are already looking into is the possibility of our technicians using scooters for inner city work rather than taking a car. This would reduce our fuel consumption and cost as well as reduce our carbon footprint”.

The carboNZero programme is the world’s first internationally accredited GHG certification programme. It provides tools and resources to help businesses measure, manage and mitigate their greenhouse gas emissions with credibility and integrity.

HBDT are the region’s exclusive supplier of Ricoh digital printing solutions and, having now completed carboNZero certification, Mr Wallace believes that businesses, education and government organisations within the region should readily reduce their environmental impact, which could include a reduction in paper consumption by as much as 15 percent or more.

Sustainability is about more than just looking after the planet. HBDT lead their industry in solutions designed to improve their client’s staff productivity and streamline communication of information which is as much about reducing GHG emissions as it is about making our organisations, businesses and economy more competitive and commercially sustainable.

At the recent opening of the Ricoh New Zealand’s Wellington technology centre, Prime Minister John Key highlighted the importance of how working smarter, in relation to technology, is essential for New Zealand to be competitive in the global economy. HBDT is focused on providing smarter technology to its customers in the Hawke’s Bay region.

Mr. Wallace added that local councils, tertiary organisation, schools and large businesses have an opportunity as well as a responsibility to lead the charge locally by progressing towards becoming carbon neutral.

In addition to the CarboNZero initiative, Mr Wallace said ‘Last year HBDT and Ricoh were thrilled to partner Havelock North Intermediate to supply, sell and plant 3,600 native trees as a school fundraising initiative. The project raised additional funds for the school and also successfully promoted environmental awareness within the community and educated the students about the importance of trees for the environment. Mr Wallace admits there is no silver bullet when it comes to environmental sustainability, but says ‘The Ricoh “Trees for School” programme is an excellent example of how businesses can make a positive contribution to the community and get the green message to a wide audience.It all helps’.

Napier Girls’ High School, Napier Intermediate, Havelock North High School and Havelock North Intermediate have also adopted sustainable business practices through the use of leading edge print management tools supplied by HBDT. These minimise paper consumption, improve staff and students access to their documents and establish convenient printing services. This is a great example of a leading-edge, sustainable, world class solution in use right here in Hawke’s Bay.

In achieving carboNZero certification, HBDT have set the standard for other businesses in the region by taking responsibility for measuring, reducing and offsetting their carbon footprint. The business now wants to help other local businesses and organisations achieve the same status as well as take advantage of the many tangible benefits – improved productivity and efficiency, reduced operating costs and less environmental impact.

For more information visit www.carbonzero.co.nz