Untouched World Energy Saving Awards launched

Untouched World Energy Saving Awards launched

Leading New Zealand fashion company Untouched World today launched the inaugural "Put a Sock in it" Energy Saving Awards to boost power savings in the next 10 weeks.

The `Put a Sock in it' campaign ends on July 31. All Canterbury businesses and organisations are invited to take part.

Participating organisations will purchase on behalf of their staff (on a slow repayment scheme), energy saving light bulbs, hot water cylinder wraps and Merinomink possum socks to fight the power crisis.

The winners in three categories of organisation size will be announced at the Untouched World Energy Saving Awards gala ceremony attended by Energy Minister Pete Hodgson in Christchurch in August.

The Canterbury Employers' Chambers of Commerce, the Redesigning Resources Group, the Orion power company and Landcare Research NZ are backing the venture.

They are using their expertise and networks to appeal to businesses throughout the region to take part.

The awards scheme is the brainchild of Untouched World / Snowy Peak Ltd chief executive Peri Drysdale who wanted to inspire businesses to make energy savings as New Zealand faces a serious power shortage this winter.

``We trialled this scheme throughout our company last year as part of our sustainability programme. Households saved up to 33 percent of power in the winter months,'' Ms Drysdale said.

``This year we want to see all Canterbury companies / organisations encouraging staff to change to low energy light bulbs, add thermal wraps to their cylinders, wrap up in woollies and turn the heat down.

``Power saving bulbs use 80% less energy than normal light bulbs. Hot water makes up 47% percent of power used in an average home.''

Canterbury Chamber of Commerce chief executive and Redesigning Resources chairman Peter Townsend said the power crisis this winter was a wake-up call for all New Zealanders. For both short term and long term interests it was vital New Zealanders saved electricity.

``The initiatives being advanced by Untouched World and Peri Drysdale can help us do just that and save us all money, now and into the future. We are pleased to support this endeavour," Mr Townsend said.

Ms Drysdale, last year's South Island Businesswoman of the Year, said the awards scheme was a solution to the power shortage and a contribution to the deeper issue of global environmental sustainability.

Organisations lining up will enter the website: http://www.untouchedworld.com/putasockinit .to order. There will also be a direct mail-out to Canterbury organisations.

The three category-winning organisations will go into a draw to win the grand prize of an Untouched World at Walter Peak Experience (corporate trek) for four, valued at $16,000. Other prizes detailed on the website will be presented by the Minister at the Untouched World Native Garden restaurant gala award ceremony.

© Scoop Media