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MEDIA RELEASE: NOVEMBER 2007

THE GLASS IS GREENER: EXPRESS GLASS LEADS THE WAY

Express Glass, Australia's number one supplier of emergency glass to business, has announced some key environmental initiatives to increase the company's focus on sustainable operations and minimal environmental impact.

"We've been proactive to broaden our environmental awareness and monitor our impact," says Managing Director, Adrian Grocott. "Our efforts have always encompassed recycling but we are now seeking more partnerships with environmentally aware and active suppliers and extending out from this to support essential initiatives such as Greenfleet.

Offsetting our impact

Greenfleet is a non-profit organisation which focuses on improving long-term environmental conditions through its 'emissions offset' tree planting program. Express Glass' contribution will add to the two million trees planted since 1997 on behalf of Australian motorists and fleets, and will offset the CO2 emissions of its entire fleet. The program involves planting native trees using seed gathered locally to preserve genetic integrity. The planting also reclaims degraded and cleared land, repairing the habitat for native wildlife.

"The very existence of an organisation like Greenfleet is of tremendous assistance to industry. It means that where it is not currently viable or practical to make the changes we'd like to make, we can ensure that our operation is sustainable environmentally, by offsetting any impacts through tree planting and other activities," adds Adrian.

Sourcing lower CO2 glass

Express Glass' major glass supplier is Pilkington, an Australian company that is set to spend some $130m upgrading their plant in Dandenong, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The upgrade incorporates a state-of-the-art five beam chemical vapour deposition (CVD) coater that will allow for production of new, environmentally efficient glass products, including energy saving glass for buildings, self-cleaning glass and glass that will be used in solar energy production.

Everyday practicality

Express Glass has recently introduced Quattrolifts' 'Nomad' system, an efficient way of transporting large and heavy panes of glass. This is a unique invention that uses manual energy (people power) to handle glass in the factory and on site. "By using this system, we replace the need for powered forklifts, mini-cranes and other powered support vehicles that were previously used for glass handling. Employing the Nomad lifts also minimises disruption to traffic when we are working in city areas of high traffic volume which would normally require closing of street," says Adrian.

Multi-faceted corporate responsibility

"We've always had a diverse range of activities supporting charities, non-profit organisations, events and sports teams and individuals. However, it's refreshing to see the growth in environmentally-focused corporate responsibility. From our major clients, such as Westpac, through to our key suppliers, as with Pilkington, there's a whole chain where companies are joining together to find sustainable solutions and to work with companies that have similar values with respect to supporting community and environment," says Adrian.

We will continue to develop new approaches and work with other companies to ensure that our environmental impact is minimised," concludes Adrian.

Express Glass is Australia's number one supplier of emergency glass to the corporate sector, nationally. Since 1984, the Australian-owned company has supplied emergency glass repairs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, through its network of glaziers across Australia.

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