Page 24 - NZPM Annual Report 2020

Business
SUSTAINABILITY
FOCUS WHY IT’S IMPORTANT
Environmentally friendly We need to support a more sustainable New
products and practices Zealand. This includes the way we operate
across our network and supporting products
that are kinder to the environment.
Recycling & Waste Reducing our waste and ensuring our recycling
Management practices is good for the environment and
good for our co-operative. Actively being
involved in these practices is positive for all New
Zealanders.
Carbon Reducing our carbon emissions will help
Emissions protect the environment and secure a greener,
cleaner New Zealand for future generations.
Green Commitment to green building practices in
Building Council New Zealand through our membership of
the New Zealand Green Building Council. We
need to be proactive and challenge traditional
methods of day to day business operations.
Donations and We help to raise awareness, educate and
Fundraising support stakeholders and our communities on
a range of number of life-threatening illnesses.
Well-being We are committed to keeping our people and
our communities safe and healthy and having
good relationships with both.
22
NZPM GROUP LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2020
WHAT WE’RE DOING
Leading the way with strong European brands of Duravit, Vola and Kaldewei. Each of these suppliers to
Metrix have strong environmental and sustainability practices across their decisions on design, manufacture
and packaging. They source from ethical providers, recycle, utilise integrated manufacturing processes and
optimise logistics while treating their own wastewater. | Working with our other suppliers to ensure they follow
strong sustainability practices for their sourcing, products, packaging and delivery systems. | Requiring that all
our new and refurbished buildings have insulation and low energy lighting and heating.
Each site has a recycling programme in place for waste management and a number of sites now have
product recycling systems in place which will continue to evolve. | Ongoing discussions with product suppliers
to develop new sustainable packaging guidelines. This will extend into recycling of products through the
manufacturing process. | Recyclable bags are available at each branch. | All Branches have shopping
baskets available for trade customers to use when they are selecting their fittings.
NZPM have upgraded the wider vehicle fleet over the past four years to modern lower emission vehicles. We are
progressively replacing all cars with hybrid petrol electric models to reduce our emissions by over 30% per year.
| During lockdown the staff made great use of digital platforms such as Zoom and Teams for video meetings.
This proved very effective so we will continue to make use of this cost effective communications platform to
reduce travel costs and carbon dioxide emissions. There is a high cost to driving or flying for face-to-face
meetings (both economic and environmental), along with wasted downtime, so we will continue to be vigilant
in this space.
We have been a member of the Green Building Council since 2018 which allows us to share ideas with other
members on how we can improve and further develop our environmental policies and procedures. | We’re a
sponsor of the Home Fit programme which helps ensure Kiwis are living in homes that are dry, warm and safe.
NZPM provides a range of sponsorships to three charitable organisations who support awareness and
treatments of cancer. We also actively participate in their fundraising campaigns such as ‘Blue September’
and ‘Decembeard’. | Locally, we support various organisations with donations and fundraising initiatives
including hospices, schools, Christmas food bank appeals and most recently ‘Eat Up NZ’ which provides school
lunches to disadvantaged school kids so they can grow, learn and succeed.
Building our understanding about the working conditions of our supply partners to ensure that they are
operating in an ethically sound manner. | Encouraging a strong values based culture across our workforce
and with our customers and suppliers. | Providing an Employee Assistance Programme which provides
counselling services to all staff. | Local ownership of sites health initiatives including regular well-being walks
to encourage regular exercise and fresh air. | Funded flu injections to all staff. | Management training on the
awareness and best practices for mental health and well-being.