A couple pieces of great environmental news out of Australian malls this week:

Ocean Village Shopping Centre has gone solar. The shopping center has installed a photovalic solar array that generates enough power to keep the lights going in the center’s parking lot and common areas. Here’s more on that story from Byron Shire News:

The photovoltaic solar ‘array’ is the work of Moruya-based company Solar Energy Options – the only ones willing to take on the challenge of constructing what is believed to be the largest solar panel structure of its kind at any shopping centre in NSW, according to Ms O’Dwyer.
…
Set to generate around 15,000 kilowatts of electricity per year, Ms O’Dwyer said the unique design of the massive solar roof also provided shade and weather protection for shoppers.”

And from Australian Food News, information about Westfield Australia’s brand new beverage recycling initiative:

Westfield Shopping Centre today launched a recycling initiative which, once rolled out nationally, is expected to divert 675 tonnes of beverage containers from landfill each year – enough containers to fill nine Olympic sized swimming pools with recyclable material each year.

Parliamentary Secretary to the NSW Minister for Climate Change and the Environment Angela D’Amore MP launched the campaign at Westfield in Burwood, NSW yesterday. She described Westfield’s coordinated recycling service as an Australian first, which would increase opportunities for people to recycle away from home.

The International Council of Shopping Centers has extended the deadline for the 2011 European Shopping Centre Awards to September 14th. European shopping centers and retail projects opened, newly refurbished or extended in the period between July 1, 2008 and June 30, 2010 are eligible.

If you aren’t familiar with the ICSC European Awards, the awards recognize the overall excellence of retail projects. Some of the factors included in the judging criteria are the retail mix, design, commercial performance, customer services, community integration. The awards are judged by a jury made up of top European professionals from all sectors of the industry.

If your shopping center is eligible, be sure to enter. The awards are internationally recognized and quite prestigious, and the application process is relatively simple. You can apply online here. The award is open to ICSC members and non-members alike.

Want to save a little money while planning ahead?

You can register now for next year’s RECon, The Global Retail Real Estate Convention. It looks like the ICSC is offering an extra little discount to the real early birds who’ve already cleared their schedule for the event with a summer savings discount code. Just register by September 15th and use the discount code “RECON50″ when you check out, and you’ll save $50 on your registration.

Next year’s RECon will take place May 22-25 in Las Vegas, Nevada. It’s too early for us to give you much information on what you’ll find at RECon 2011, but it’s always a great conference and a fantastic group of people to meet, learn from and network with. So we’re fairly sure this discount will just sweeten an already great deal.

You can register here. And if you’re planning to head to RECon (or any ICSC conference) and you’re not already a member, you may want to look at joining. The member discounts for registration are deep, and may more than cover the membership (depending on your situation).

British marketers: Have you sent in your submission for the BCSC Gold Awards? If not, drop everything else, because the deadline is 6 August at 17.00.

Your categories for entry are as follow:

In-Town Retail Schemes or Out-of-Town Retail Schemes: These entries will be judged on overall contribution to the regeneration of the town or city or area, commercial success from viewpoint of the tenant’s retail scorecard, architecture and design, center management, contribution to the community, and steps taken to improve sustainability.

Income Generation Project of the Year: This category is judged on innovation; creative use of different formats including advertising, sponsorship, and RMU’s; creative use of new technologies; response by customers; financial success; quality; and sustainability.

BCSC members can also nominate for Retailer of the Year and Shop Fit / Design of the Year. The Awards jury is also on the lookout for the Local Authority Partnership Award, the Established Centre Award, and for entrants deserving of commendation for their commitment to sustainable practices and the BCSC Sustainability Charter.

If you’re looking for more information on applying, click here. The Golds will be announced at the BCSC Annual Dinner and Presentation on Wednesday 1 December at the Grosvenor House Hotel, Park Lane, London.

South African retailers and shopping centers – get your nominations for the South African Council of Shopping Centres (SACSC) Special Star Awards before it’s too late.

Nominate the top retailers and service providers before nominations close on Thursday, August 5. The awards recognize the Regional Retailer of the Year and the Regional Service provider of the year, honoring retailers and services providers who offer exceptional levels of customer service. Such shining examples are a benefit to the shopping center industry, and this is a chance to say “thanks.”

Later this year, the SACSC will host regional Special Star Awards Dinners in Bloemfontein, Cape Town, Gauteng, KZN and Port Elizabeth to recognize the regional winners. The 2010 National retailer of the Year and National Service Provider of the Year will also receive a Spectrum award at a gala event to be held in November.

The SACSC has introduced a special category this year to celebrate the success of the 2010 FIFA World Cup. One retailer will win an award for the best World Cup window display. It’s likely to be a tough category to judge, as South African shops worked hard during the World Cup to welcome visitors and enjoy the celebrations.

You can submit your nominations at the SASC website.