Waste management and reduction guide for retail industry

4ForewordPreserving the environment is important to SouthAustralians who pride themselves on the uniquenessof their country and its wildlife.But when the media is full of stories about pollution, the climate change andthe depletion of the ozone layer, it can appear too complicated for individualsto make a difference.I assure you we can. Small, seemingly insignificant actions by a large numberof concerned people can make a big difference. That’s what environmentalmanagement is really all about – a series of small decisions that cancumulatively have a big impact.All of us – centre managers, sales managers, checkout operators, customers,retailers – have a role to play in helping preserve our environment.The benefits of managing waste better and making customers aware of ourefforts extend to bottom lines and corporate profiles.This guide has been developed with the assistance of the SA Retail PropertyGroup (Property Council of Australia) and the State Retailers Association ofSA. This industry support and feedback has been invaluable in ensuring thatthe principles outlined in this guide are practical and take into account therealities of today’s competitive retail environment.The actions described in this guide will work just as well for individuals asthey do at the corporate level. If you take them your operation, no matter howbig or small, will reduce its impact on the environment.I commend this guide to you and ask that every day, when you are makingdecisions, keep the environment in mind because it is your actions that willmake Australia a better place for all.Gail GagoMinister for Environment and Conservation