Cost savings and incentives
Sustainable businesses are often cost-efficient and productive. They attract and retain loyal customers, and Hutt residents are keen to see a greener city. We provide advice and support to help business become more sustainable with networking opportunities, practical tools, training and sustainability assessments.
We have a range of incentives and programmes for businesses and individuals that put recycling and energy efficiency at the top of the list:
- We’ll waive or considerably reduce the consent fees for sustainable alternatives like solar hot water, double glazing retrofits on buildings built before 2000, and rainwater tanks
- We’ll give you $400 towards the cost of joining the Rata Certification Programme - New Zealand's first sustainable certification programme. As a member, you’ll get professional advice about improving efficiency, reducing waste and making cost savings. Contact the Rata team for more details
- You can join the Jackson Street Programme and be inspired by a network full of sustainably-minded business owners
- We’ll subsidise your business to gain the international Enviro-Mark accreditation. Recognised worldwide, Enviro-Mark breaks down putting your environmental management system in place into five easy steps. There are regular workshops to help you on the journey, along with expert advice and self-help tools to see you right
Sustainable Business Network
We sponsor the Sustainable Business Network to help local businesses and organisations reach their goals. Be part of networking events, sustainable business workshops, and a wealth of sustainability knowledge, information and inspiration.
Join us for Hutt City Green Drinks every 3 months at the Jetty Cafe, and meet like-minded businesses in a relaxed environment. Get in touch with us for details of our next event.
Hutt City’s sustainable leaders
Resene Paints has recently been awarded the 2010 Central Region Sustainable Business of the Year Award. Based in in Hutt City (Naenae), Resene joined the Environmental Choice programme in 1996.
Resene is renowned for its focus on sustainability. Its water-based paint has more than 50% renewable content. Resene also helps others to create sustainable ways of doing business. Their Eco.Decorator programme recognises a nationwide network of environmentally responsible, quality-focused painting contractors.
Resene‘s PaintWise programme has collected over 750,000 paint cans, and over 100,000 litres of water-based paint has been recycled and donated to community groups.
Naenae-based artisan coffee roaster Celcius Coffee has adopted sustainable practices throughout its business. Nick Fry says sustainability doesn’t have to involve big costs. “It can start with small steps of simple recycling, as with the coffee grinds, or installing eco-friendly light bulbs, and then just building from there.”
Stephanie Fry adds “We have had amazing assistance from the Hutt City Council – they have been very supportive of what we are achieving with sustainability.”
Celcius sources fair trade coffee and uses biodegradable cardboard and vegetable inks on its retail packaging. It also picks up used coffee grinds from customers to make a soil conditioner for a sister business.
Celcius Coffee was named the 2008 Sustainable Business of the year in the Hutt Business Excellence Awards, and was a regional finalist in the Sustainable Business Network awards.
Local companies committed to sustainable business: