The Mint monitors its energy use in accordance with Energy Efficiency in Government Operations (EEGO) energy intensity targets. Energy usage for the year was comparable to the previous year, and reflects the Mint’s 24-hour functional requirements as a manufacturing, administrative, tourist and retail facility.

Efforts continued during the year to achieve further energy efficiency gains and reduce energy use. Air conditioning systems were serviced regularly and optimised for performance. Temperature settings were adjusted regularly to maintain comfortable conditions for staff and visitors without energy waste.

A project to sheet the roof skylights with fibre glass was completed at the end of 2018 that improved thermal conditions and reduced operating costs. Following these works, the roof areas were pressure cleaned and repainted with reflective paint to reduce heat loading on the steel roof.

Solar Panel Photovoltaic Energy System

Since becoming operational in 2016, the solar panel system on the Mint’s roof has become essential to reducing energy costs. In 2018–19 the Mint generated 321,737 kilowatts of renewable energy or 15 per cent of its demand for electricity. The Mint consumes all solar energy generated—none is exported back to the grid.

Once approvals have been finalised, an additional solar energy system will be installed on the recently completed secure compound storage facilities. This work is due to start in October 2019, and commissioning of the new system is planned for December 2019. The system will deliver an extra six per cent of solar power to the business, bringing total renewable power generation to 21 per cent.

Water and Waste Management

The higher level of coin production during 2018–19 meant that water usage also increased. While the increase was unavoidable, wastage was kept to a minimum by regular checks of infrastructure to ensure there were no leaking taps or toilets. Garden irrigation systems were used during spring and summer periods only.

A spike during the first quarter of 2019 (see Figure 9) was attributed to intense irrigation of newly landscaped areas between the Mint and Questacon buildings.

The Mint’s waste management disposal and recycling program was consistent during the year, with occasional spikes due to operational requirements from increased coin production.

Facilities Management

‘Reduce Waste’ is listed as the second goal in the 2016–2020 Strategic Plan, and staff always look for opportunities to be a ‘lean mint’.

The Mint’s fourth listed strategic goal, ‘provide a safe, secure and sustainable operational environment’, calls on the Mint to identify and implement opportunities to reduce its environmental footprint. While the Mint is a working factory built in the 20th century, it collectively looks for ways to maximise the Mint’s longevity into the 21st century.

The Mint invites visitors to be proactive in protecting and preserving the environment. Dyson Airblade hand dryers in all staff and visitor toilets have reduced paper towel use to a negligible level.

A recycling program has been implemented through both the factory and staff areas, and in visitor spaces such as the café.

The Mint’s café has this year introduced biodegradable cutlery and takeaway coffee cups, and has eliminated plastic cutlery and packaging. It also has three convenient bottle refilling stations around the site, so visitors do not need to purchase single-use bottles of water.

The Mint is proud to be on the footprint-reduction path, and has shared that journey globally at appropriate international forums. Its sustainability efforts are integral to the vision of ‘excellence as a profitable world class Mint.’

The barbecue and landscaped facilities are extremely popular with visitors, especially school groups.

Another crowd pleaser are the two signage plinths, one identifying the Mint and one featuring oversized Australian decimal coins. The coins were manufactured in the Mint’s toolroom and are an ideal backdrop for social media photographs. Power from the in-built miniature solar panels illuminates the signs at night. The ignition source for the Mint’s barbeque is also powered by in-built miniature solar panels.

Energy and Waste Targets

The Mint’s environmental objectives, actions and achievements have been derived from Strategies 1 to 3 in the 2016–2020 Health, Safety and Environment Objectives and Targets Plan.

STRATEGY 1: IMPLEMENT WASTE HIERARCHY PRINCIPLES

REDUCE

REUSE

REPAIR

RECYCLE

RECOVER

DISPOSE

Recycling and waste disposal (tonnes) 2018-19

Notes:

• Waste hierarchy principles appear consistent as the quantities from March 2019 are reduced.
• Spikes in general dry waste for August and November 2018 resulted from disposals of obsolete packaging.

Solar usage (kWh) 2018-19 - Minimise natural resource consumption

Notes:

• Two solar energy systems generate approximately 15 per cent of business need (to be increased to 21 per cent with the addition of a third system to be commissioned during December 2019).
• Solar generation is affected by factors including weather conditions, length of daylight hours and solar intensity. The Mint consumes all solar energy generated and none is exported to the grid.

Electricity usage (kWh) 2018-19

Notes:

• Spikes in January and March 2019 were due to increased production levels.
• Usage trends appear consistent with previous.

Natural gas consumption GAS (megajoules) 2018-19 - Actual MJ consumption

Notes:

• At May 2019 gas usage was trending consistently with seasonal trends.

Natural gas consumption GAS (megajoules) 2018-19 - Water and sewage: actual KL consumption

Notes:

• A spike during the first quarter of 2019 was attributed to intense irrigation of new landscaped areas between the Mint and Questacon buildings following works to split each block and section.

STRATEGY 3: MONITOR EMISSIONS

An independent consultant performed ambient air testing during late 2018 with negligible emission readings. During December, fume cupboards were upgraded to a two-stage system to further improve results.

Air quality samples were also taken from selected office areas and no pathogens were detected.