Episode: Two
Date: 23rd August 2008
Story Title: Alcoa Making An Impact
Presenter: Neville Passmore

Greening Australia and Alcoa have partnered up for the Make an Impact Scheme. Neville has a chat with Tim McAuliffe from Alcoa to discuss how individuals can make their own important contribution to sustaining the environment.

Alcoa has partnered with Greening Australia because climate change is the most central sustainability issue facing the aluminum industry and they are determined to not only do their part, but to provide leadership wherever they can.

Make an Impact allows Alcoa employees, their families and their immediate community to calculate how much energy use they actually use and provides tips to save water and energy that can be implemented at home and work. Around 800 employees have signed up to the scheme and recalculate their usage every month to monitor their progress.

Small changes made from individuals can actually make a large difference in the big picture. All you need to do is make small changes like reducing your hot water usage and using energy saving light globes. A great example of this is the house of Merv Beacham. The house is completely powered by solar and wind. It uses environmentally friendly globes, rainwater tanks and a grey water system to irrigate the fruit trees.

The Alcoa Western Australia regional office in Pinjarra has a building that is rated 4 stars in energy use. It is built to minimize artificial light which keeps the rooms warm in winter and cool in summer. It also has over a hundred water wise plants including the popular Spider Net Grevillea.

Alcoa also uses a three bin scheme that divides rubbish into three different categories- recyclables, worm farm, and landfill. This scheme can easily be replicated at home.

Featured Plant

• Spider Net Grevillea

Contact

Make An Impact Scheme

Alcoa Refinery
South West Highway
P. O. Box 172
Pinjarra, Western Australia 6208
Telephone 08 9316 5111
Fax 08 9531 6587
www.alcoa.com/australia

Greening Australia
National Office
PO Box 74
Yarralumla ACT 2600
T: 02 6202 1600
F: 02 6202 1650
E: general@greeningaustralia.org.au
www.greeningaustralia.org.au