Mainzeal broke ground in the construction industry recently, receiving an award for “Businesses Making a Difference” at the Green Ribbon Awards in Wellington.
The construction company — one of New Zealand’s largest — is the first in the industry to receive an award in this category in the 19-year history of the Green Ribbon Award.
Presented by Minister for the Environment Dr Nick Smith, Mainzeal received the highly commended award for its contribution to a sustainable construction industry in New Zealand.
Newly appointed Mainzeal chief executive Peter Gomm was delighted by the win, and says the award provides a benchmark for the company’s achievements against what other organisations are doing.
“Winning this award will further inspire our innovative staff to implement even greener building techniques as we contribute to a sustainable industry,” Mr Gomm says.
Mainzeal has chosen to be proactive rather than reactive when it comes to the environment. Examples include implementing the principles of its ISO 14001-accredited Environmental
Management System, which reduces the potential for environmental spills and incidents, reducing waste and emissions, and sees Mainzeal exceed industry environmental benchmarks and regulations.
An environmental management plan is also produced to guide every construction project undertaken.
As recognition of the importance of specialist environmental skills to the company, Mainzeal appointed a sustainability manager in 2008, and had five staff graduate as Green Star Accredited Professionals in the same year.
This allows Mainzeal to work alongside clients and architects on Green Star projects at an early stage in the design.
Sustainability manager Ross Copland has taken the company’s sustainability initiatives beyond the building site.
“While our staff are very much behind sustainability practices at every step of the construction process, we have also made it a priority to extend energy efficiency programmes within our office spaces too.”
