Efforts to better utilise power and deal with waste materials netted the Melbourne Market an Australian Business Award last month for sustainability.
The award recognised the market’s achievements in promoting excellence through innovative initiatives that have transformed business practices.
The Melbourne Market was able to incorporate sustainable initiatives into each step of the design and construction of the new Melbourne Market at Epping which opened last year.
Melbourne Market Authority (MMA) chairman Stephen McArthur said the award affirmed the business’s commitment to continuous improvement and innovation.
“Perhaps one of our greatest achievements at the new Melbourne Market facility is the ability to incorporate world-class technology to reduce our impact on the environment,” Mr McArthur said.
“This award win recognises the intelligent design of a site that has been custom made to meet the needs of a growing industry.”
Key in designing the new market was reducing the environmental impact in the areas of water, energy, waste and biodiversity.
The win comes just three months after the market received an international award by the World Union of Wholesale Markets 2016 Market Awards for Reducing Food Loss and Food Waste.
“While sustainable thinking was at the forefront during design and construction, it is also embedded in the day to day operations to ensure the infrastructure is utilised to its full potential,” Mr McArthur said.
Australian Business Awards program director Tara Johnston said for more than a decade the Australian Business Awards have recognised organisations that prioritise innovation and technology.