Once a movement that existed only on the margins, sustainable architecture has increasingly moved into the mainstream.
Primarily this is down to a realisation that the built environment has a huge impact on the planet. In short, it accounts for around 50 percent of all annual global CO2 emissions, with building operations alone responsible for 27 per cent.
Long an advocate of creating a more sustainable future, Bunzl has focused on lowering its own carbon footprint across the business. Nowhere is that more evident than in the construction of the company’s new distribution centre in Pemulwuy, NSW (30km west of Sydney’s CBD), which has been recognised as one of the greenest buildings in Australia.
Due to be completed later this year, the 23,442sqm distribution facility – one of the seven buildings on the 94,000sqm site – has been awarded a 6-star Green Star certification by the Green Building Council Australia. This rating indicates the use of environmentally sustainable building practices that are world leading.
Features that contribute to the 6-star rating include a 300kW solar system, solar-heated water, LED lights, smart electricity systems, rainwater harvesting and water metering. This is in line with the cutting edge of sustainable architecture, which advocates for buildings that produce minimal harmful effects to the environment, both in their build and in their ongoing operation.
As well as its focus on sustainability, the facility’s design offers practical efficiencies that will enable Bunzl to accommodate business growth, stage more product and improve outbound dispatch functionality. Available warehousing alone stands at a huge 21,300sqm, sitting alongside 1,400sqm of split-level office space. There is also a 480sqm battery charge room on site.
All in all, this represents a lasting benefit to customers, as Bunzl continues to improve the efficiency of the business’s operations, while committing to further lowering its carbon footprint.
