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OVERVIEW
Since establishing Savory in 1941, it’s been our mission to put people first by prioritising social economics, sustainable development, and our team’s well-being. Making this our purpose is one of the reasons Savory is among the most trusted and established construction companies in the Auckland region.
We’re constantly seeking ways to raise the industry’s sustainability standards, and this effort is a part of our ongoing partnership with the NZ Green Building Council. Working alongside the NZGBC, we strive to improve green practices throughout construction and encourage more Green Star certified ventures.
In addition, we’re continually working with independent sustainability consultants to develop more sustainable solutions for our daily operations. This is an ongoing journey that focuses largely on improving foundational aspects, like our waste disposal system, to ensure that all waste is collected, separated, weighed, and recycled effectively.
A team of builders and professionals that collaborate to deliver quality building projects
Conduct business with integrity through honesty, ethics, respect of others and do the right thing
People are our family and our point of difference that makes us successful
Trust developed through partnerships across the industry
Safe and sustainable mind, enviroment and actions
FRAMEWORK FOR CHANGE
ENVIRONMENTAL ACCREDITATIONS
Savory aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set up by the United Nations. These 17 goals have challenged the world to strive towards a better future for all, and we’re committed to doing our part.
As part of our effort, we’re in the process of optimising our Environmental Management Systems to ensure the responsible use and disposal of all resources. This development will significantly improve our ability to make future advancements.
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SUSTAINABLE PURSUITMENTS
Aotearoa’s Green Star rating system is an adaptation of Australia’s system, which was created in 2003 by the country’s Green Building Council. Established to encourage a greener construction industry, the rating system recognises sustainable building practices and has done so for nearly two decades.
Six of our employees have become Green Star Accredited Practitioners and two of them have become Accredited Professionals, two are NABERS Accredited Professionals and 1 is a WELL Accredited Professional which has given them a thorough understanding of the Green Star assessment process. The assessment criteria are holistic and comprehensive; two reasons why securing Green Star status is a significant accomplishment.
For a building to be Green Star certified, it must receive a minimum rating of 4 out of 6. But while the ultimate goal is to increase the number of certified projects, we still focus on making sustainable improvements with every project. Environmentally conscious solutions are always at the forefront of Savory’s approach to construction.
OUR PLEDGE
We’re actively looking for ways to lessen our impact on the planet. To discover the most important areas for us to make a change, we frequently review Savory’s ESG (environmental, social, and governance) metrics. Though we’re also continually seeking expert guidance from external support to ensure we’re making the most impactful changes possible.
Currently, we are undertaking a 3-phase endeavour in our ambition to reduce waste and carbon emissions. This effort is a contribution towards the Auckland City Council’s ‘Zero Waste by 2040’ initiative.
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Our recycling initative to ensure all buildings provide Recycling bins and practice sustainable measures.
OUR PLEDGE
We run a full audit of all material usage, waste management, and energy efficiency to determine what needs improving.
With the information gathered from our audit, we develop and implement new methods to make valuable improvements.
After these advancements, we analyse the impact and look for opportunities to make further changes towards sustainability.
OUR PLEDGE
We take responsibility for our impact on the planet and actively search for more sustainable solutions.
During our work for a recent Green Star accredited project, we removed and repurposed approximately 100m2 of tiles and screed. Instead of going to waste, the material found a new purpose in another one of our projects.
In addition, by carefully separating and sorting through all remaining scrap materials, we successfully recycled 75% of all other waste. The project was a great success, and we worked closely with waste removal specialists to make it happen.
Tiles from Level 17, 188 Quay Street taken to Mercedes Benz site to be used as backfill.
Fly ash is a byproduct of pulverised coal burned in power plants. Worldwide, more than 65% of fly ash produced is disposed of in landfills and ash ponds, which is largely counterproductive to protecting our environment. However, there happens to be a much better use for the fly ash, and that’s in strengthening concrete.
To reduce the amount of fly ash waste, we aim to incorporate a minimum of 15% of landfill destined fly ash into our concrete mixes. It’s another step we make toward reducing carbon emissions and comes at no additional cost to our clients.
INITIATIVES
We strive to provide our employees with a safe and healthy workplace and enhance their quality of life. To see this happen, we consistently monitor our business practices to ensure our operations reflect our values.
Business areas we regard as top priorities:
These are all incorporated in the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 (HSWA) which Savory complies with.
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Staff enjoying our Savory Staff gym at head office.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
One of our current local partners is Mount Wellington’s Panama Road School. We’ve offered the school funding, materials, and labour for building projects to improve the school grounds and day to day operations. While this support takes some stress off the administration, our partnership has been particularly beneficial for the students, many of whom are challenged by traditional avenues of learning.
We’ve encouraged those who have shown an interest in the construction industry to explore this path by offering an introduction to the workforce with paid work experience programs — the end goal being an apprenticeship to set them up for future success.
Savory’s community outreach is a programme that we are especially proud of. When partnering with local schools and organisations, we focus on connecting with low socio-economic communities to create equal opportunities. A great part of this outreach involves educating students, offering work experience opportunities, hosting mentorship programs, and assisting with apprenticeship enrollments.
Fig 1. Jayden from Panama Road School joining the team from our community outreach programme.
Fig 2. Jayden in our joinery factory on his paid work experience program.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Savory was one of the first partners of MATES in Construction when it launched in 2019. The organisation is non-profit and industry-funded, established to bring awareness to the alarming number of suicides in the construction industry.
To support the mental health of Aotearoa’s construction workers, MATES offers a free programme called ‘MATES on Site’. The programme teaches our workforce how to recognise signs of decline in their colleagues’ mental health and equips them with tools to intervene where possible.
All employees on Savory worksites undergo the General Awareness Training from MATES, which teaches them how to help coworkers who may be struggling. After this training, our employees can volunteer to become Connectors (people trained to connect at-risk individuals to professional help). And furthermore, employees can enroll in ASIST training, which teaches them how to help people in crisis situations and create a plan for immediate safety.
Savory currently has four trained Connectors, and more employees enrolled in Connecter and ASIST training. As a people-first company, it’s our priority to care for one another, and we’re actively pursuing ways to make sure that happens.
Our team being awarded their certificates for completing ASIST and General Awareness training with the team from MATES.
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