20:20 mobile makes a £6,000 saving

A LEADING mobile phone distribution company has made a massive energy efficiency saving of £6,000 at its Crewe headquarters thanks to help from Groundwork Cheshire .

 
In September 2008 Groundwork began a series of free government funded environmental audits at 20:20 Mobile Group’s offices on Weston Road as the company looked to find ways to reduce its carbon footprint and energy consumption costs.


The great escape

If you’re planning to take a break from work by flying abroad this summer, Groundwork Cheshire is asking you to think green and compensate for your carbon emissions by donating to carbon reducing community projects right here in the Northwest.
Energy efficiency 'can help tackle climate change'

More than two-thirds of the carbon emissions reduction needed by 2020 can be achieved through energy efficiency, a new report has suggested.

 
The study by The Climate Group found that changes to lighting, buildings and vehicles and reducing deforestation levels could all help in the battle against climate change.


£3.7 million in rural grants available

The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) is pleased to announce that rural businesses, farms and community ventures based in Greater Manchester and Cheshire can apply for £3.7 million in grants.

 

Eligible bodies can now submit an Expression of Interest (EoI) to the NWDA for projects which will boost the rural economy.


5 Key Tips

Groundwork Cheshire is offering businesses five steps to reduce carbon footprint:

 

1. Commission a Carbon Footprint Audit of your site/business.

 

2. Start an awareness campaign promoting “Good Housekeeping” i.e. switch off lights, lower temperatures etc.

 

3. Consider switching to a green electricity tariff and review you company’s car fleet policy to encourage low CO2 cars.

 

4. Invest in Low Carbon Technology such as new heating controls or automatic lighting systems

 

5. Investigate the use of renewable energy such as ground or air source heat pumps, bio fuel, or solar hot water systems.

 

For further advice on how your business can reduce its carbon footprint please contact Groundwork’s E3 team on 01606 723175.

Legal Update - Hazardous Waste Regulations amended

The Hazardous Waste ( England and Wales ) Regulations 2005 were amended on 6 April, 2009 .

 

The Regulations set out procedures for businesses and individuals to follow when disposing of, carrying and receiving hazardous waste.


The amended regulations principally widened the scope of the exemption from hazardous waste producer registration.

Meet the Groundwork Team

Karen Szmidt - Resource Efficiency Specialist

 

Karen started her environmental management career with Groundwork Stoke-on-Trent in June 2002.

 

Starting in Environmental Business Services (EBS) as an EBS Assistant, where she gained knowledge of Environmental Management Systems to ISO 14001 standards.

Carbon labelling expands internationally

The world’s first carbon label for consumer products is set to go global with the announcement that Australia is to join the UK in using the Carbon Trust’s system.

 

The Carbon Trust, an organisation backed by the UK Government, has signed an agreement with Planet Ark , a leading Australian environmental organisation, to establish its Carbon Reduction Label in Australia . The first products bearing the label are expected to hit Australian supermarket shelves in 2010.



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Disclaimer

The e-bulletin is produced in good faith. Groundwork, and its suppliers/contractors will make every effort to ensure the information provided through this e-bulletin is appropriate and accurate, however only the courts can authoritatively interpret the law and only acts and regulations have force of law. The final decision regarding any advice/information provided by Groundwork is the commercial responsibility of the business receiving this email.

Groundwork cannot accept responsibility for errors/and or omissions within this document or loses occasioned to persons acting or refraining from action as a result of the material in this document.

2009 Environmental standards brochure

BSI: British Standards has published its 2009 Environmental Management and Sustainability brochure.

The new brochure provides businesses with detailed information on new and existing Standards relating to:

 

·           Greenhouse Gas Management

·           Environmental Auditing and Related Investigations

·           Environmental Management Systems

·           Sustainability

·           Environmental Labelling and Life Cycle Assessment

 
For more information visit www.bsigroup.com
Did You Know?

Renewable facts:

 

·           100 litres of water falling 1 metre equates to 1kW of electricity

·           Air source heat pumps can give 5kW of heat for every kW of electricity used to drive them.

·           Evacuated tube solar hot water panels produce water at 65C.

·           In 1921 Albert Einstein won the Nobel Prize for his experiments with solar energy and photo voltaics.

·           The UK is the windiest country in Europe

·           An average wind speed of 14mph is required to produce electricity

·           Wind turbines are available for chaotic (turbulent) wind and low average wind speed sites.

 

2010 should see the introduction of feed-in tariffs helping to make a sound economic argument for investing in micro generation.

It pays to be green!
It pays to be green!

Recent research by the Carbon Trust shows that consumers are becoming increasingly likely to purchase a product or service if they know that a company is environmentally aware.

 

A study has shown that 63 per cent said that they would be more likely to use a company which is aiming to reduce its carbon footprint, 58 per cent said that they favour companies aiming to limit their greenhouse gases and almost three quarters want businesses to help them to make better environmental decisions.

 

Euan Murray, General Manager for carbon footprinting at the Carbon Trust, said “Retailers and producers who are committed to reducing their products’ carbon footprint get ahead by responding to this increasing consumer demand.”

 

Calculating your carbon footprint shows a commitment to reducing your carbon emissions and will increase your appeal in the market and attract a broader customer base.
Interest Free Loans Improved For SMEs
Interest Free Loans Improved For SMEs

The Carbon Trust is to improve the access of over £100m interest – free and unsecured loans to small and medium sized businesses.  

 

The minimum loan amount has been reduced to £3000 and the maximum amount has been doubled to £400,000. The loan is to help cut both energy costs and carbon footprints, by installing new energy saving equipment.

 

Clean tech revolution: the £70 billion race is on
Clean tech revolution: the £70 billion race is on

The UK can profit from leading the world in the clean tech revolution, new analysis from the Carbon Trust reveals today, quantifying for the first time the economic benefits of investing in a range of clean technologies.

 

By taking a bold new approach to commercialisation, the UK could generate up to £70 billion for the economy and almost 250,000 jobs in offshore wind and wave power alone.