Our environment

At The National Bank, we recognise we have a role to play in protecting and preserving the environment New Zealanders live and work in. Managing our impact on the environment is a major focus for us.

We’ve put a number of initiatives in place to help us reduce our environmental footprint – including New Zealand’s first purpose-built ‘green’ bank branch. You can read about what we’re doing - as well as some simple steps you can take to reduce your own impact on the environment.

What we’re doing

Our environmental initiatives

We have put a number of environmental initiatives in place to help us achieve our goals, including:

  • Our ‘Better Off’ power saving campaign
  • PC Power Off – a PC power reducing application to automatically conserve energy overnight across inactive PCs
  • Reducing base load energy in major sites through greater energy efficiency of lighting and air-conditioning systems
  • Paper and co-mingled recycling programmes
  • Re-using, recycling and recovery of used cellphones, printer cartridges, PC’s, laptops and other business equipment
  • Alternative vehicle options
  • ‘Green’ stationery options
  • Working with our suppliers to implement sustainable procurement practices
  • Looking at ways to reduce the energy consumption of our exterior signage.

For more information about our commitment to the environment and communities, download our latest Corporate Responsibility Report from the ANZ National website.

New Zealand’s first ‘green’ bank branch – Blockhouse Bay

Our Blockhouse Bay branch in Auckland, which opened on 14 July 2008, is New Zealand’s first purpose-built ‘green’ bank branch. Designed on sustainable principles, its features include:

Solar water heating
Solar panels on the roof, which provide hot water for showers and basins.

Water efficiency
Rainwater is collected for flushing toilets and the cleaner’s sink. Low usage plumbing fittings reduce water consumption. The Rain Garden uses onsite storm water to water itself reducing flow into municipal storm water.

Recycling
There is a compost bin in the back garden for food scraps and other compostable waste, plus a dedicated area inside the building for collecting recyclables. A big component of the building materials are made up of recycled materials, including window frames made from recycled aluminium, asphalt uplifted and reused when resurfacing, and onsite timber used to erect the new fence. Additionally, the long-run roof sheets and corrugated cladding both contain 12% recycled iron and the data cabling is halogen free with notable reduction in harmful chemicals.

Climate control, air quality and natural habitat
The building design maximises fresh air, reducing the need for air conditioning. Shading strategy (including highly reflective roofing, exterior sunshades, and shading from newly planted gardens and trees) helps reduce the ‘urban heat island’ effect and keep temperatures more stable. Xeriscape landscaping principles have been used to avoid required irrigation and promote natural habitat.

Renewable resources
Renewable resources have been used wherever possible including regenerated timber for joinery and wool carpet and fabrics.

Lighting
Sola Tube skylights provide natural light. Photo sensors on electric lights allow artificial light levels to be adjusted automatically to take advantage of natural light levels. Signage incorporates efficient LED technology and shorter illumination times to reduce electricity usage. Site lighting is designed to avoid light pollution of surrounding properties and night sky.

What you can do

Remember the three Rs – Reduce, Reuse and Recycle.

Reduce:

  • If you’re not using it, turn it off – simply switching off lights, computers and other electrical appliances when they’re not in use is a simple way to use less energy
  • Reduce fuel consumption by walking, cycling or taking public transport instead of driving
  • Choose to stop receiving paper bank statements (only available on some National Bank accounts) and use Online Banking instead.

Reuse:

  • Re-use sheets of paper that have been printed on one side only for scrap paper (or even better, print on both sides or avoid printing at all)
  • Use ‘real’ cups or mugs rather than disposable plastic or paper ones
  • Consider buying second hand or selling your own unwanted goods rather than simply throwing them out.

Recycle:

  • Buy recycled products
  • Recycle as much as possible at home and work – for example, make sure you use workplace and council recycling schemes
  • Start a compost bin – your garden will love you for it!

Useful links

  • www.sustainability.govt.nz – lots of practical tips to help you reduce your impact on the environment.
  • www.4million.org.nz – ‘4 million careful owners’ - an educational website with practical advice from the Ministry for the Environment.
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