GREEN MANUFACTURING

In reply to Mr PISONI (Unley) (3 July 2007).

The Hon. K.A. MAYWALD (Chaffey—Minister for the River Murray, Minister for Water Security, Minister for Regional Development, Minister for Small Business, Minister Assisting the Minister for Industry and Trade): The Minister for Industry and Trade has provided the following information:

Green Manufacturing is defined as a manufacturing methodology that minimises waste and pollution which is often achieved through product and process design.

The criteria for green manufacturing can be divided into three areas:

Implementation of a systematic approach to environmental measuring and monitoring (eg some form of environmental management system);

Applying good environmental practices into the design of products to minimise environmental impacts throughout the products' entire life cycle (eg minimising the environmental impacts of products in the manufacture, operational and disposal stages); and

Implementing process efficiencies and minimising resources used in manufacturing to improve environmental performance and implement cost reductions (cost savings are achieved through the reduction in resource use such as energy).

In July 2005, the Department of Trade and Economic Development (DTED) established a Sustainable Business Program to build the capacity of the department in sustainable development from a business and economic perspective.

This has led to a growing number of initiatives, which includes the development of the inter-agency Business Sustainability Alliance (a key action in the Industry Section of the Tackling Climate Change: SA's Greenhouse Strategy).

DTED's engagement with small business on green manufacturing and sustainable business practices has increased from 34 in 2005-06 to 95 in 2006-07.

This increase has been achieved through DTED supporting and facilitating workshops, training courses and information sessions for business which focused on improving the competitiveness and environmental performance of industry.