Bremerton Vintners is committed to managing all aspects of our
operations in an environmentally responsible manner at all times. We
care about the environment, and we ask our customers to do the same. To
ensure environmentally responsible behaviour is accepted as an integral
part of our operations.
We specifically undertake to:
- Establish an Environmental Management System in order to help systematically reduce our impacts on the environment
- Prevent pollution occurring from our activities and operations
- Conduct operations in compliance with local environmental regulations and legislation
- Communicate this policy to our employees and the wider community
- Educate
our employees and contractors on their environmental responsibilities
and ensure this is integrated into their work practices, training and
decision making
- Continuously improve the environmental performance of our company
Since July 2007 there have been several projects undertaken to ensure that this is a “live” policy.
- The
provision of increased recycling vessels means that we are recycling
more than we have in the past. This has reduced our general rubbish to
a minimum, cutting our landfill contribution and our waste removal
bill.
- A comprehensive lighting audit has ensured we are
using the most energy efficient globes and that lighting is reduced to
a minimum, lowering our energy consumption.
- Changes to winery practises have lead to a reduced
usage of water and we are in the initial stages of developing our
Wastewater Treatment Plant. Water from this plant will be recycled onto
our vineyard, providing 50% of its requirements.
- A waste water record has been initiated and we now
have documentation that reflects water usage in the winery per month.
This varies dramatically depending on the operations that have occurred
in a given period and the building of this information will enable us
to project and determine our water needs. To be totally self-sufficient
and thus no longer drawing on community water is our ultimate goal.
- A carbon inventory has been created so that we are
able to track our emissions through all areas of the business. This
year we participated in our first local “carbon audit”.
- The propagation and nursing of over 400 native
seedlings to be planted early next year will contribute to our already
healthy native vegetation sites.
- We are working with local environmental management to
contribute to the establishment of “native corridors” that provide home
and refuge to local birds and animals.
Emphasis in Environmental Management lies
in the commitment to continuous improvement. Bremerton Wines takes this
commitment very seriously and we look forward to reporting back to you
in the future of our progress in working towards making a positive
change for our environment.