Unique selling point for 'green' biotech

Opening sustainable salvo a success  

The sunburnt country... an apple story

• State-supported, water-efficient overhead misting system saves sensitive fruits from the harsh Australian sun
• Losses from sunburnt apples reduced by 80 %, saving € 30 430 a year 

Spread over five sites and 250 hectares, Oakmoor Orchards produces apples, pears, peaches, nectarines, apricots and plums. Around 8 000 tonnes, including 2 000 tonnes of Granny Smith and Pinklady apples, are produced every year.

The beauty of solar power is...

• All kinds of businesses, large and small, can make the transition to renewable energy
• Financing schemes, such as EEF, can help with sustainability projects like this solar installation 

The British luxury hair and beauty business, Jo and Cass, has four salons. Due to rising energy costs, the SME recognised the need to switch to a more cost-effective renewable source. Solar energy was the most likely choice.

Energy and material assessment, Australian style

Initial investment costs can discourage SMEs from choosing to pursue sustainability as a business strategy; the vague long-term benefits and payback on the investment might not seem worth it. And the green sector is vulnerable to changes in government policy, which could adversely affect ongoing sustainability efforts, leading to uncertainty.

Ecogate ... taking full control

• Expert advice and dedicated environmental funding scheme pave the way for costly energy-saving upgrade
• Investment in controller system and 

W.J. White Ltd. produces wooden furniture using dust-control machines that ran at full speed regardless of the working conditions. The owner was introduced to an energy saving specialist who recommended installing a smart control system, called Ecogate greenBOX12+.

From rags to rugs...

• Jeans company values its product's full life cycle
• It provides information on how to care for its products, sourcing, recycling and reuse options  

Swedish denim label Nudie Jeans provides detailed information and recommendations to its customers regarding the environmental impact of its products, including cotton, buttons, rivets, and leather.

Extending the lifetime of a product (asset) has a number of environmental advantages: less resource extraction, less energy embedded (the direct and indirect energy required to produce goods plus the energy needed to source and process raw materials they contain) and less waste generated. Maintaining the first-life use of a product as long as possible is the best approach to cut overall resource use. 

Two key factors determine a product's lifetime: the way it is designed and built, and whether consumers choose to properly maintain (repair) or to replace it.