Confluence Water team spearheads sustainability with Return & Earn recycling initiative
Mechanical Supervisor, Tony Dato
At Confluence Water, our commitment to sustainability is not just a part of our operations; it is one of our core values, so we are constantly looking for opportunities to integrate sustainable practices into our daily activities.
One of our endeavors in this direction is the introduction of the Return and Earn container recycling initiative at our work sites. This program not only promotes recycling but also supports community causes, exemplifying our holistic approach to environmental responsibility.
The Return and Earn initiative, launched in September 2022, began humbly with a single cardboard box for collecting recyclables in our Chatswood head office. The initiative quickly gained momentum, expanding across our construction sites as more teams embraced the opportunity to contribute to a greener workplace.
Erin Alley, our Sustainability Advisor, spearheaded this rollout.
“We originally just set up a cardboard box in the head office in Chatswood. Then we started rolling it out across our construction sites and encouraging teams to get onboard.”
Each team at Confluence Water has the autonomy to decide how to use the proceeds from their recycling efforts.
A Return & Earn on-site collection point
While the Chatswood office team donates their earnings to Sydney Wildlife Rescue, other teams have chosen to fund team barbecues and breakfasts, enhancing camaraderie and morale, particularly given the early start times on our sites.
“Our partnership with Sydney Wildlife Rescue is particularly close; we collaborate not only in fundraising but also in practical engagements like relocating native fauna from construction sites,” Erin said.
“They also provide invaluable educational sessions to our teams, enhancing our understanding and appreciation of the local biodiversity across the areas we live and work.”
The response to the Return and Earn program has been overwhelmingly positive.
Marsfield Site Supervisor, Ray Robinson
“They’re always asking for more Return and Earn collection bags, and I’ve seen lots of supervisors put up handwritten posters to promote container returns on their sites,” Confluence Water Environmental Advisor Priya Murthy said.
“To see that dedication coming from a site supervisor is great, as they already have so much to look after on site,” said Confluence Water Environmental Advisor Priya Murthy.
Confluence Water is proud to lead by example, showing that environmental responsibility and corporate operations can go hand in hand. Through initiatives like Return and Earn, we are helping to forge a sustainable future for our community and the planet.