East Perth Consultancy receives Switched on Business Award

David and Gabby Locke and the Entire Tech team receiving their Switched on Business Award from City of Armadale Mayor and Chairperson of the South East Regional Energy Group, Ruth Butterfield. They were joined by Cr Aaron Adams (City of Gosnells / SEREG delegate), City of Melville Business Development Advisor Stuart Tomlinson and Sustainability Engagement Officer Jess Sutherland. Photo credit: City of Melville. 
(Pictured Left to Right) Cr. Ruth Butterfield (SEREG Chair & Mayor City of Armadale),
Amy Sutton (Managing Director – Anthologie) & Lord Mayor Basil Zempilas (City of Perth)
Photo: Scott Simpson (City of Perth)

The Switched Your Thinking team, City of Perth staff and representatives from the South East Regional Energy Group (SEREG) headed to East Perth in February to present a Switched on Business Award to Anthologie – a human-centred design and technology consultancy which prides itself in contributing to a better world.

About Anthologie

Anthologie works with government agencies, businesses and the not-for-profit sector to help address some of the world’s most important challenges. Recognised as a certified B Corporation, Anthologie’s team utilises its skills in design, strategy and digital technology to shape a better world. Since 2015, Anthologie has undertaken a wide range of impactful projects including the creation of a platform for the department of Communities to help support people experiencing homelessness. Anthologie are working on a global slavery index report and website on behalf of the Minderoo Foundation’s Walk Free campaign. And to top it all off, the team have recently built a Carbon Calculator in collaboration with Carbon Positive Australia.

A ‘Beyond Carbon Neutral’ business

In attendance on the day to present a Certificate of Recognition to Anthologie was Perth Lord Mayor Basil Zempilas, who was thrilled that the Switched On Business Award was going to a City of Perth business. Both the Lord Mayor and the Chair of SEREG, Cr Ruth Butterfield, emphasised the important role businesses have to play in achieving the goal of reduced global greenhouse gas emissions. They acknowledged Anthologie’s achievement in becoming the first Western Australian strategic design consultancy to go Beyond Carbon Neutral, meaning they offset above and beyond the organisation’s yearly greenhouse gas emissions through a partnership with Carbon Positive Australia.

A look at the workspace

Managing Director Amy has gone to extraordinary lengths to breathe new life into a previously dilapidated warehouse – an old bottling factory – in East Perth which had initially been scheduled for demolition. The result of this passion project is a bright and welcoming premises – Amy has managed to retain some of the former factory’s ‘industrial’ characteristics whilst providing a modern, multi-functional and sustainable workspace for her employees and their clients. The refit involved a complete re-design of the floorspace and the installation of a range of energy efficient technologies including LED lighting, solar panels, water saving taps and fittings, energy efficient appliances as well as a new electric hot water system connected to the renewable power generated on site.

Managing Director Amy Suton showcasing Anthologies layout & energy efficient features to SEREG Chair & Armadale Mayor Cr. Ruth Butterfield & Perth Lord Mayor Basil Zempilas.
Photo: Scott Simpson (City of Perth)

Climate impacts

Since their installation in May 2022, Anthologie’s solar panels have generated 10.41MWh of electricity, reducing the organisation’s greenhouse gas emissions by more than 5.52 t/CO2-e. – the equivalent to 141 trees planted, or 22,138km of car travel! Between 2020 – 2021, Anthologie offset 37.19 CO2-e emissions with Carbon Positive Australia, which is more than 166 diverse trees and natural bushland being regenerated.

Staff inclusion is the key to success

The approach Amy has taken to embedding sustainability within the organisation has had a significant impact on their achievements to date. Attendees were treated to a presentation by the Anthologie sustainability team who highlighted some of their internal initiatives including…

  • Actively working to reduce waste generation by setting up an office recycling system.
  • Launching a Containers for Change account that donates the refunds received to Foodbank.
  • Minimising obsolescence, by refitting the office with recycled furniture.
  • Regularly prioritising sustainable and local procurement from suppliers through to clients
  • Establishing a paperless administration system.
  • Avoiding the use of single use kitchen items and encouraging staff to use reusable alternatives.
Anthologie sustainability team member
Kate Shelton gives a briefing.
Photo: Scott Simpson (City of Perth)

It was clear from the smiles on everyone’s face that this is a happy workplace. A large part of this can be attributed to the encouragement Amy gives her team to develop and run with their ideas and have a say in decisions that have an impact on the business. This was reflected in the nomination Switch Your Thinking received from Amy’s team, in which they stated that the Switched on Business award would be…

a wonderful recognition of the efforts our management has taken to better planet and people and encourage other creative agencies in Perth to take steps to reduce their impact.”

Switch Your Thinking was very impressed with Anthologie’s efforts to create an inclusive sustainable workplace and maintain a Beyond Carbon Neutral Footprint. It is important to emphasise the dedication it has taken from all involved to reach this incredible milestone. Congratulations to Amy and her entire team for all that they have done and are doing to enable better outcomes for both people and planet.

Amy Sutton (Managing Director) and part of the Anthologie team with SEREG Chair and
Armadale Mayor Cr. Ruth Butterfield and Perth Lord Mayor Basil Zempilas.
Photo: Scott Simpson (City of Perth)

During the most recent round of the Switched on Business Award, the South East Regional Energy Group also acknowledge the efforts of the Marjorie Mann Day Care Centre and Rosen Australia Pty. Ltd.. Both received a Certificate of Commendation for their work toward embedding sustainable practices in their workplaces.

Switch your Thinking developed the Switched On Business Award to celebrate and recognise sustainability action in local businesses across Switch Your Thinking partner councils in the Perth metropolitan area. For more information about the next round and to nominate a local business, contact mail@switchyourthinking.com or visit our website.