By Alana Mitchelson
A BERWICK dental clinic has been selected as one of 30 finalists from across the state for the Premier’s Sustainability Awards.
Beaconsfield Dental’s environmentally friendly building design and dedication to using biodegradable products has placed it among the most sustainable businesses in Victoria.
Principal dentist and owner Robert Panjkov said Beaconsfield Dental was committed to the environment.
“We’re proud to be a finalist. We aim to stand out with our professional dental care while providing our patients with exceptional modern facilities, technological advances, environmental sustainability and all persons access,” he said.
“Our environmental assets include solar hot water and 60 solar panels which have a wireless device that displays the electricity generated, carbon dioxide and money saved. On a good day, the panels can generate over 100kW of energy. Patients are regularly shown the wireless device to educate them as it is kept in one of the treatment rooms.
“The design of the building includes low-allergy paint, double glazing, LED lighting, and wall, ceiling and floor insulation. The water tanks have a capacity of 10,000 litres which are fed into the toilets and the 500-plant indigenous garden drip-sprinkler system.”
Beaconsfield Dental also uses biodegradable dental products, and environmentally friendly cleaning and kitchen supplies including a compost bin.
Mr Panjkov said staff were educated about recycling paper and encouraged to reduce printing by viewing documents on the computer.
Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio said this year’s entries were much broader than in the Awards’ 14-year history.
“It’s a testimony to the international standard of Victoria’s sustainability efforts,” Ms D’Ambrosio said.
“I congratulate each finalist for their exemplary work to mitigate the impact of climate change and to reducing emissions. It’s great to see such ingenuity and innovation in the way Victorians approach sustainability.”
Awards will be presented across 10 categories ranging from teaching builders and construction workers about environmentally responsible worksites, to urban green roofs that help reduce waste in hospitals.
There will also be two overall winners receiving the Premier’s Regional Recognition Award and the Premier’s Recognition Award for “exemplary innovation“.
Winners will be announced at the Premier’s Sustainability Awards ceremony on Thursday 20 October at the Plaza Ballroom in Collins Street, Melbourne.
The Premier’s Sustainability Awards are Victoria’s highest honour for sustainability, recognising excellence in a wide range of sectors from small to large business, education, community, health, government, environmental protection and the development of innovative products and services.
For more information, visit www.sustainabilityawards.vic.gov.au.
