Godfrey Hirst Carpets – South Geelong
A $3.5 million upgrade at the Godfrey Hirst Carpets South Geelong plant is helping Australasia’s largest carpet manufacturer save up to 250 million litres of water each year.
The commissioning in October 2010 of a water treatment facility is an example of a regional industry taking action to create wiser ways to use water and energy.
The Victorian Government through Regional Development Victoria provided funding of $800,000 towards the new infrastructure project.
With a philosophy of minimising the impact of its operations on the environment, Godfrey Hirst Carpets has introduced a number of sustainability initiatives to its business.
The first of its kind in the Geelong region, this innovative project was recognised as the overall winner at the Premier’s Sustainability Awards 2011.
The dual treatment system harvests 75 million litres of urban storm water from the South Geelong area and recycles 175 million litres of used production water.
The water is treated to Class A equivalent standard for use in the plant’s boiler house and textile dyeing, saving the company 250 million litres of water each year.
As well as saving water, the project saves energy and reduces waste, including reducing annual energy use by 5 per cent a year and trade waste discharge by up to 70 per cent a year.
This project has provided ongoing benefits to the environment, Godfrey Hirst and Geelong area.
The project has made Godfrey Hirst more competitive, helping sustain it as a leading carpet manufacturer and one of Geelong major employers.
