The money is available through the Federal Government’s Re-tooling for Climate Change Program. Applications close on October 20, 2008.
Under the program printing businesses can apply for grants ranging from $10,000 to $500,000, and up to a maximum of one third of the cost of each project.
Some of the eligible projects include stormwater capture and improving water recycling for reuse in the manufacturing process; improving insulation and recovering waste heat to improve manufacturing process efficiency; and process re-engineering involving the adoption of energy efficient manufacturing tools and processes that reduce substantially the energy used in the production process.
To be considered an eligible applicant, printing and related businesses must have had an annual turnover of less than $100 million in each of the past three financial years and they need to demonstrate that they can fund the costs of the project not met by the grant – at least two thirds of the cost of the project. Further details on the Re-tooling for Climate Change Program can be found in the attached fact sheet.
Hagop Tchamkertenian, national manager for policy and government affairs at Printing Industries says printing and related businesses should be able to identify and document environmental improvement initiatives that could be funded under the new program.
Tchamkertenian says, “The Australian Government along with state and territory governments has demonstrated its commitment to addressing the issue of climate change by setting up the Garnaut Climate Change Review. The Australian Government also remains committed to the introduction of an emissions trading scheme in 2010.”
He continues, “These developments mean that reducing the environmental footprint associated with commercial activities is now associated with a cost imperative. Initially environmental initiatives were undertaken by proactive printing and associated businesses that identified the marketing as well as cost saving opportunities.
Tchamkertenian also says that Printing Industries was seeking additional support from the Australian Government for small and medium sized businesses who will be impacted by the proposed emissions trading scheme, but may not qualify for government support as they were unlikely to be deemed to be energy intensive and trade exposed.
He says, “While programs such as the Re-tooling for Climate Change and Climate Ready are a good start, the fact that the funding is competitive and merit based means that many businesses will miss out on funding.”
Tchamkertenian concludes, “This is why Printing Industries is campaigning for increased government support. We have also been proactive ourselves in developing the Sustainable Green Print initiative to be launched shortly which will help printing and associated businesses improve their environmental performance and reduce their overall environmental footprint.”
Comment below to have your say on this story.
If you have a news story or tip-off, get in touch at editorial@sprinter.com.au.
Sign up to the Sprinter newsletter
