This example of a pet grooming business supports the Guideline for minimising greenhouse gas emissions, publication 2048(opens in a new window). It shows how you can minimise your risks of harm to human health and the environment from greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by applying the four-step risk management process:
- identify hazards
- assess risks
- implement controls
- check controls.
The information below can help you identify hazards and manage the risks of harm from GHG emissions related to a small business (pet grooming salon).
It is not expected you apply all the controls, rather you should use this example as a guide. However, make sure you are aware of your general environmental duty (GED).
The GED requires you to minimise risks of harm to human health and the environment from pollution or waste, so far as reasonably practicable.
How Matteo manages greenhouse gas emissions from his pet grooming salon
Matteo owns a pet grooming salon. He and his co-worker, Poppy, provide grooming services for cats and dogs. They groom all sizes and breeds.
Matteo walks around his salon. He identifies the salon’s GHG emission sources come from:
- electricity used for:
- hot water
- pet dryers (which are the force dryer, fluff dryer and cage dryer)
- clippers
- trimmers
- washing machine
- clothes dryer
- air conditioner
- refrigerator
- lighting
- exhaust fans
- computer
- electrical appliances.
- refrigerant gases released from the air conditioner and refrigerator
- fuel used by Matteo and Poppy to travel to and from the salon in their cars
- the fuel used for the transportation of disinfectant, dog and cat shampoo, conditioner, soap and treats bought from an overseas supplier
Matteo looks for ways to assess the salon’s GHG emissions. He reviews his electricity bills. The electricity bills already calculate the salon’s GHG emissions. He will also document his electricity use from his electricity bills and track this over time.
To increase energy efficiency and reduce GHG emissions from the salon, Matteo, in the short term, can either put in place or consider the following controls:
- replace traditional light bulbs with energy-saving LED light bulbs
- install motion light sensors in less often used areas of the salon, e.g. the storage room
- turn off the computer every night
- turn off all lights and electrical appliances every night
- set the air conditioner to cool only when average temperatures go above 24°C
- set the central heating to heat only when average temperatures drop below 20°C
- install low-flow faucets and shower heads which use less hot water during grooming
- maintain and clean equipment to help them last longer and work more efficiently
- use chamois cloths instead of towels as it reduces drying time and washing towels
- recycle plastic containers, cardboard and paper
- consider changing to green or renewable electricity sources
- consider carpooling to work with Poppy to help reduce fuel usage
- investigate where he can purchase disinfectant, shampoo, conditioner, soap and treats from an Australian owned business. He could also explore whether their shipping is 100% carbon neutral. Matteo could also consider buying these products locally as it would reduce the salon’s upstream GHG emissions.
Matteo wants to further increase energy efficiency and reduce GHG emissions from the salon over the next several years. He investigates other controls which can help him with this:
- install blinds and use them on hot days to keep the salon cool
- replace the old clothes dryer once it has reached its end of life with a more energy efficient one
- replace the old washing machine once it has reached its end of life with a more energy efficient one
- replace old pet dryers, clippers and trimmers with new and more energy-efficient models
- replace the water heater with a more energy efficient unit
- install solar panels to reduce electricity use
- install solar batteries to stabilise the power supply from renewables.
Matteo has a routine of inspecting his existing controls. This is to make sure they are working as intended, he checks:
- the motion light sensors only turn on when rooms are occupied then turn off when not occupied
- the computer, lights and all electrical appliances are turned off every night
- the central heating and cooling temperature controls are set to heat or cool
- the clothes dryer and washing machine are regularly serviced and maintained
- pet dryers, clippers and trimmers are regularly cleaned and/or oiled, serviced and maintained
- the salon’s electricity bills to see if the controls he put in place are reducing the salon’s GHG emissions
- the salon’s water bills to see if the controls he put in place are reducing the salon’s water usage
- the refrigerator and air conditioner for leaking refrigerants.
Matteo uses the template found in the Guideline for minimising greenhouse gas emissions, publication 2048(opens in a new window) on page 39. This helps him develop a simple GHG Emissions Action Plan for the salon. The plan outlines and tracks when controls have been checked to make sure they are working as intended.
Matteo reviews and assesses the salon’s GHG Emissions Action Plan once a year to make sure it is still current and relevant. He reviews his electricity and water bills to see whether his usage has reduced in comparison to previous years. It also gives him an indication of whether the controls he put in place are helping his salon be more energy efficient.
Matteo also keeps himself up to date with relevant information about new technologies and practices that support sustainability and energy efficiency in the pet grooming business industry. Doing this also supports Matteo’s state of knowledge and helps him keep up with new ways of working.
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