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White goods stores turned green WHITE goods stores have become Queensland's latest army in the campaign to reduce energy use and save more water in households.The state's Climate Change and Sustainability Minister, Kate Jones, has launched a new State Government programme that would see retailers help turn Queenslanders into Australia's biggest carbon busters. Ms Jones said the Queensland Government had so far enlisted nearly 40 major stores across Queensland to better educate their customers that the choices they make can have a huge bearing on their home's electricity and water use, and ultimately, their hip pocket. "For example, two dishwashers of the same make but different model and star rating have recently been compared by my department," Ms Jones said. "Based on six cycles a week, one dishwasher uses 1,240 less kilowatt hours and 13.1 less kilolitres of water than the other dishwasher over 10 years. "The electricity saving equates to 1.2 tonnes of less greenhouse gas emissions, a significant reduction for one household. "And based on current electricity and water prices, the householder could pocket an extra AU$270. "These are the types of information our retailers will be passing on so that more Queenslanders are making better, more informed choices about appliances that traditionally consume the most power and water in a household. "This programme joins a list of other smart initiatives we're using to reach the Bligh Government's Q2 target of cutting Queenslanders' carbon footprint by one third by 2020." Ms Jones said the ClimateSmart Retail Programme involved the State Government training store employees about more efficient appliances and providing customer-friendly material about smart choices. She said it had the potential to reduce Queensland household emissions by hundreds of thousands of tonnes. "I believe all Queenslanders want to reduce our footprint," Ms Jones said. "They can do this by better running their households and they can save money at the same time. "But they need to be aware of how they can make those choices and that's where this programme can help - it's one-on-one advice from a trained ClimateSmart professional at point of sale. "Consumers will now be able to walk into participating stores and get reliable information about a product's efficiency before making the decision to purchase. "Retailers will also benefit from increased sales of more energy efficient appliances which will ultimately reduce greenhouse gas emissions, water use and waste, and help reduce the impacts of climate change. "Through the programme, the State Government has trained retailers about efficiency and savings and provided support materials which highlight the benefits of buying more energy and water efficient appliances. "A wide range of point of sale display materials are provided to retailers to highlight the most efficient products on the shop floor. "A guide for buyers and fact sheets on efficient appliances will be available to help consumers compare product models and make cost effective and greener purchase choices." Ms Jones said the Good Guys, RT Edwards and Retravision stores were the first to come on board and see the enormous potential in becoming ClimateSmart partners. "I now call on other electrical retailers across Queensland to follow suit and become ClimateSmart retailers that promote sales of efficient appliances and products," she said. "I'd like to see 40 participating stores double by the end of the year." To become a ClimateSmart Retail Partner, email climatesmart.retail@epa.qld.gov.au The average Queensland household generates approximately 13.77 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions a year. The average Queenslander's carbon footprint is larger than the rest of the world. |
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