Bayfair Shopping Centre

Since 2003, Bayfair Shopping Centre has been taking steps to incorporate a strategic environmental programme into the business. The Tauranga-based shopping centre has more than 90 retail tenants and is one of the first retail centres to lead the way in creating a sustainable shopping environment.

The challenge

Establishing a programme that leads the way in sustainability practice for shopping centres and partner businesses, reducing the centre’s environmental impact and providing significant and measurable financial benefits to the business.

Some responses

• Building environmental targets into Bayfair’s business plan and KPI’s helped to ensure  ongoing commitment to sustainability.
• A 450-seat, waste-free food court was designed to allow for full-sorting of waste to divert paper, cardboard, plastic, glass and organic waste from landfill.
• Removing common-area bins and using on-site cleaning staff to manage the waste stream instead.
• Securing retailer buy-in through training sessions.

The results

• Total savings on waste management expenses of $125,810 since July 2003.
• Growth of annual saving each year on waste management expenses from $11,241 in 2003-2004 to $26,848 in 2008-2009.
• Annual cost of waste management expenses reduced from $62,106 in 2002-2003 to $35,258 in 2008-2009.
• Approximately 50-55 per cent of the centre’s waste diverted from landfill each month, with the cost of waste removal reduced by 43.25 per cent since 2003.
• Energy consumption in common areas reduced by 6.67 per cent, amounting to savings of $13,053 over an eight-month period.
• A 93.2-tonne carbon reduction, equivalent to taking 21 standard-size cars off the road, for one year.
• Volume of waste sent to landfill reduced from 30.17 tonnes in April 2007 to 18.23 tonnes in April 2009.
• Total waste costs reduced by 2.8 per cent in the year to June 30.
• Ninety-five per cent of all food waste now diverted for compost use rather than being sent to landfill.
• In summary, the programme has greatly reduced Bayfair’s environmental impact; provided a direct financial payback; established a sustainable partnership with all stakeholders and developed the profile of the business as a leader in sustainability to the retail sector.

Bay of Plenty Regional Awards judges' comments

• This company has demonstrated commitment to a sustainable business path for several years.
• This has positioned Bayfair as an industry leader and created a benchmark for other shopping centres.  
• There is a focus on continuous improvement, with all resources, waste, procurement, staff development, community involvement and profits measured and monitored ensuring a high level of efficiency as well as awareness of the triple bottom line impacts. 
• This level of awareness has led to a superior level of accountability and transparency, which is now considered best business practice by management and staff alike.