FAQs

*These FAQs applied to the Drink For Change campaign in December 2008

How can a cafe be nominated?

The general public can nominate a local/favourite cafe by clicking on 'Nominate A Cafe'. Fill out a few personal details and add the name of the cafe to the list (if it hasn't already been nominated). The Drink For Change team will contact the nominated cafes and encourage them to register for the Drink For Change program.

Can any cafe be involved?

The campaign is targeted at cafes across all regions of Victoria. If unsure, please contact the Drink For Change team via email.

Can restaurants be involved?

Restaurants are welcome to participate and can adapt the campaign materials and processes to suit their situation.

What incentives are there for a cafe to be involved?

Cafes can expect to save water and money from the actions they implement. They can also:

• Improve relationships with their customers by demonstrating their contribution to water conservation
• Learn about new water-saving products, technologies and services available
• Attain a competitive edge over other, less-conscientious cafes
• Advertise their pro-activity through case studies and media coverage
• Learn how to incorporate resource efficiency into their core business in order to continue improving their environmental impact

Are customers obliged to donate money if a glass of water is requested?

Customers are under no obligation to donate – this is a voluntary donation for the first week in December.

Are cafes going to continue charging for water?

No. It's voluntary and only for a week. Drink For Change aims to highlight water conservation opportunities now so that water remains available to cafe goers in the years to come.

How much should a customer donate?

It's totally up to the customer. Every little bit counts - the more change donated, the stronger the message that customers really want their local businesses to contribute to water conservation.

Why should customers give money to business when saving water should be a part of their core activity?

Unfortunately in these tough economic times and tight margins, saving water is often NOT core business. Customers are in the influential position of being able to drive the way that businesses operate. By supporting local businesses, the community can work together to achieve real change.

How are the cafes demonstrating their commitment?

At the end of the week-long campaign, cafes can match the total donated value, at least dollar-for-dollar. 100% of the money raised will then be used solely on water-saving initiatives.

How do we know the money donated will be used on water-saving devices?

Upon registration, cafes are asked to list the action/s they aim to implement. During the campaign, cafes will SMS or email their donation totals to Drink For Change at the end of each day.

After the campaign, each cafe will submit information detailing the total amount of money they've raised and the actions they've implemented. This will be made available to the public via the Drink For Change website.

What's in it for the customer?

Apart from the valuable water that will be conserved as a result of their participation in Drink For Change, customers will have access to take-home information that will assist them to save water in their own home and workplace.

The customer can also feel satisfied that they've helped at least one small business reduce their environmental impact.

Are we able to track the actions that registered cafes are implementing to reduce their water consumption through this campaign?

During the campaign, participating cafes will be required to publicise their targets through the use of Drink For Change posters, which will also be on public display in the cafe.

After the campaign, actions implemented by cafes will be promoted through the Drink For Change website and through various media channels. Staff at each cafe will also be happy to provide more information.

What types of actions and subsequent reductions in water consumption can be expected from a cafe?

The opportunities are limitless. Possible actions could include anything from adding flow restrictors to taps and improving signage, to installing dual-flush toilets and rainwater tanks. The scale of action a cafe implements will depend on how much money it is able to raise.

All reductions in water use are valuable – every drop counts. Collectively, Victoria's cafes have a great capacity for achieving significant results.

Many of the actions Drink For Change cafes will implement can also be applied in the house and workplace.

For other ideas of where water use can be reduced, here are a number of useful links:

Grow Me The Money: www.growmethemoney.com.au
savewater!: www.savewater.com.au
Department of Sustainability and Environment: www.dse.vic.gov.au

Or talk to your local water authority.