Sustainability

SMCT is committed to sustainability. We have extensive recycling, renewable and green technology programs in place, across the many sites we manage.

We actively foster a culture of sustainability and look for improvements across all areas of our operations. We regularly monitor our performance and adopt new technologies and processes to reduce our footprint.

SMCT views environmental responsibility as part of good governance, always seeking improvements for the long-term benefit of the communities we serve.

SMCT aims to:

• Provide ongoing education to encourage behavioural change

• Incorporate environmental objectives into our everyday practices

• Measure and report publicly on our environmental impact

• Demonstrate organisational leadership in the area of sustainability and environmental best practices.

SMCT manages 374 hectares of public land and waterways across 11 cemeteries and memorial parks in metropolitan Melbourne and the Bass Coast. We hold a unique responsibility and commitment to protect and enhance these spaces for generations to come.

Our commitment to environmental sustainability has delivered exceptional results to date. In our inaugural Environmental Strategy 2022–25, SMCT exceeded all environmental targets, including a 55.2 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, 100 per cent renewable energy use, a 35.5 percent reduction in waste to landfill, and improved biodiversity across our sites. These results show that cemeteries can meet their perpetual care responsibilities while also leading in environmental performance. They are the product of teams working closely together with industry and community to innovate and collaborate in this space. 

Building on strong foundational achievements and partnerships, our SMCT Environmental Strategy 2026-2030 reflects our ambition to go further, be smarter, and more deeply embed sustainability across our operations. Our approach aligns with Victorian Government targets, focusing on:

• Sustainable resource use – renewable energy, water conservation, and responsible procurement. 
• Reducing emissions – continuing our progress to net zero. 
• Waste reduction – Avoiding waste and maximising resource recovery. 
• Climate resilience and biodiversity – restoring habitats and protecting ecosystems.