Our Sustainability Commitment

Natural Habitats by name, Natural Habitats by nature

It is our goal to be an industry leader in sustainability. As with most operational businesses, there is environmental impact as we carry out our business and our daily lives. It is up to us to ensure that this impact is minimised and our final product impacts positively on the environment.

We implement sustainability in the work we do, the offices we work in, the strategic direction we follow, the relationships we develop and the way we live our lives.

We do this in the work we do by...

• Encouraging clients to incorporate sustainability in their landscape
• Promoting and encouraging natural processes and systems in our designs
• Specialising in Green Technology and innovation, such as greenwalls, green roofs and rain gardens
• Taking all practical steps in our on site operations to minimise and mitigate any adverse effects of our activities that may cause environmental damage
• Using plantation timbers, eco timbers and recycled timber unless specified by the client.
• Encouraging the use of sustainable construction materials
• Recycling concrete and other materials where possible
• Limiting the use of pesticides and looking for bio/natural alternatives
• Committing to rebalancing the lack of plants in urban areas making them more habitable, healthier places, by using green technology to:
  • Reduce storm water run off
  • Remove toxins from storm water and/or black water
  • Lower the heating island effect of urban areas
  • Provide insulation and lower energy costs of buildings including homes
  • Reduce noise and airborne pollutants
  • Encourage wildlife and bio diversity by reintroducing habitats

We maintain and continually improve our Environmental Management System through the NZ Government Envirostep Programme.

We use recycled and totally chlorine free paper in our work place.

Printers and copiers set to double side automatically as well as toner save. All non-confidential print-outs are re-used on the reverse side for note taking, reprinting or working concept drawings.

Where possible, our invoices and statements are emailed, which saves paper and transportation emissions.

Where possible, and in most cases, we choose to send emails rather than post information. Our quarterly newsletter is emailed rather than printed and posted.

All our computers, monitors and appliances are turned off overnight and when not in use.

Office toner cartridges are recycled when empty rather than discarded and replaced.

We turn lights out when the room is not being used. Lights are switched off in mid-summer when strong natural light is plentiful.

We prefer to open the window rather than use air conditioning. We have had our exterior glass windows modified to allow them to open.

We ensure that all our staff have their work vehicles well tuned and tyres properly inflated to improve fuel economy.

We encourage our staff to drive economically and in a sustainable manner - including never leaving vehicles running or to "warm up".

Continued... To read more, please download our full sustainability policy.

We hope that through our sustainable actions, our people, our clients and the wider population are motivated to act and live in an environmentally sustainable manner.