Quayclean commits to UN Sustainable Development Goals

Quayclean Australia has celebrated the 50th anniversary of World Environment Day by pledging a company-wide commitment to six United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and undertaking to be a carbon neutral business in five years.

Led by the United Nations Environment Program, World Environment Day 2022 on June 5 is the international flagship event where nations, businesses and individuals highlight urgent environmental issues and drive transformational changes to policies and choices which deliver cleaner and greener lifestyles.

The theme of World Environment Day 2022 is “Only One Earth”, which advocates for transformational environmental change on a global scale, and its focus is “Living Sustainably in Harmony with Nature”.

2022 recognises the 50-year anniversary of the 1972 United Nations Conference on the Human Environment, widely seen as the first international meeting on the environment. This event spurred the formation of environment ministries and agencies around the world and provoked a host of new global agreements to collectively protect the environment.

Whilst Quayclean supports all 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals and the importance they have to the business, Australia and the world, the company has identified six initial Goals for implementation and action which are aligned and relevant to its core operations.

Quayclean Chief Executive Officer, Mark Piwkowski, said the company continues to develop and implement sustainable waste management practices which deliver environmental benefits.

“We have, and will continue, to work in partnership with our clients to achieve sustainable waste management practices, provide sustainable consumables, update technologies and practices to reduce use of chemicals, energy and water, and work internally towards becoming a carbon neutral business,” said Piwkowski.

Piwkowski said with heightened awareness of the need for climate action and patrons returning to venues across Australia it is even more critical the company works in partnership with customers to improve recycling and reduce waste going to landfill.

“We are seeing great results coming out of large venues such as Marvel Stadium, Sydney Opera House and Venues Canberra, with tonnes of separated e-waste, glass and food waste influencing high recycling rates,” said Piwkowski.

“Since introducing the Container Deposit Scheme at Venues Canberra last year, 140,000 bottles have been recycled, and for the month of May, 10,000 tonnes of food waste was successfully recycled at the Sydney Opera House.

“Last April, over 2000 kgs of e-waste was diverted from landfill at Marvel Stadium, and over 22,000 kgs of glass was recycled over a three month period from Marvel Stadium and Melbourne Racing Club,” he said.

Piwkowski said he was proud Quayclean will be applying six of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals. The UN Sustainable Development Goals with immediate actions are:

UN SDG NUMBER, UN SDG GOAL AND THE QUAYCLEAN COMMITMENT:

3. Good Health & Wellbeing

Developing in-depth Employee Value Proposition and Wellness programs

4. Quality Education

Quay Academy delivering quality education and leadership programs

5. Gender Equality

Committing to 50/50 gender equality

6. Clean Water & Sanitation

Identifying water reuse capability on relevant equipment and committing to alleviating water pollution

10. Reduced Inequalities

Preparing Quayclean’s Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging Strategy

13. Climate Action

Implementing and reporting on sustainable waste management strategies throughout client sites, raising awareness and providing education to staff and clients on sustainable waste management and impact reduction, creation of a 5 year plan to Carbon Neutral Certification

“We believe these six Goals resonate and are aligned to our business. Our leadership team will be identifying strategies and implementing actions to meet the targets and outcomes of these Goals,” said Piwkowski.