Manufacturing sustainability report

This report assesses dairy manufacturing’s overall environmental performance based on key performance indicators.

The report is undertaken every three years based on key environmental impacts: 

• energy 
• water and chemical consumption 
• greenhouse gas emissions 
• solid waste production 
• packaging reduction initiatives 
• wastewater discharge

Highlights of the Australian Dairy Manufacturing Industry Sustainability Report 2007/2008

Australia’s dairy manufacturers have made significant environmental, economic and social achievements over the past three years despite prolonged drought, reduced water availability, and a reduction in raw milk production.

Over the past three years surveyed manufacturers have: 

• invested more than $27 million in areas such as water, waste, packaging and energy 
• realised savings of just over $2.5 million 
• saved over 6000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions

Energy

Over $600,000 has been spent on alternative sources leading to more than $1.5m in savings.

Water

Two-thirds use wastewater treatment systems, and of the 13,900ml of wastewater that was generated, 47 per cent was used to irrigate local farm land.

Packaging

40 per cent have introduced packaging reduction initiatives.

Solid waste

One third is recycled or reused