Electric Vehicle

Hume, along with Baker Motors, have leased a Mitsubishi i-MiEV, (Mitsubishi innovative Electric Vehicle). The car is one of very few fully electric cars Mitsubishi is bringing into Australia. The car is powered by 100 per cent renewable energy when charged at Hume (solar energy) and will mean that there are zero carbon emissions and zero fossil fuel usage.

In 2011, a Toyota Hybrid Camry was added to Hume’s small fleet of pool cars.

Solar Panels

Late 2009, Hume received a $115,000 grant from the Australian Government’s Green Building Fund to help reduce its carbon footprint. Hume used this funding to install 90 solar panels on the roof of Head Office in Olive Street, Albury.

Generating 21kW of power, the project has seen close to 20% decrease in Head Office’s annual electricity bill as well as emitting 87 tonnes less of CO2 each year. This is equivalent to saving 1.74 million black balloons of carbon pollution.

During off-peak energy use times (after hours and weekends) excess power generated is put back into the grid.

Motion Sensor Lighting

In 2003 the CBUS system was installed at Head Office. This system turns light off in offices after a period of 10 minutes of inactivity. The CBUS system also turns off all lights once the alarm is activated at the end of the day.

More energy efficient lighting has also been achieved through the installation of Digital Volt Regulation Units - which reduce the electrical voltage to the light saving up to 14% power usage.

Sustainability Advantage Program

To strengthen our commitment to the environment, Hume currently participates in the Sustainability Advantage Program as part of the Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water NSW commitment in helping businesses to identify further initiatives to become more sustainable.

Tree Planting

Each year Hume staff plant over 800 trees to offset the carbon emissions from Hume's small fleet of company vehicles.

eStatements

To reduce paper usage, customers can elect to receive their account statements electronically via email. To find out more about eStatements, or to sign up, click here.

Carbon Neutral Stationary

Hume uses carbon-neutral paper for the majority of its stationery including account statements, letterhead and envelopes.

Other Hume initiatives include:

• Recycling bins for paper, plastic and organic waste
• Biodegradable sponsorship bags used for events and school fetes
• Reduced printing through electronic storage
• Environmentally-friendly paper receipts in Hume ATMs
• Regular maintenance of heating/ cooling systems to ensure efficient operation