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Envirowise
Seventy nine per cent of the UK’s small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) regard environmental issues to be important to their business, and 48% believe they are more environmentally active than a year ago, but a third are yet to take any action at all claims a new survey conducted by sustainable business experts, Envirowise.
The survey involved in-depth telephone interviews with 803 small and medium sized enterprises based in England. It was conducted by Envirowise between April 30th and May 11th 2007.
Envirowise is a Government-funded programme dedicated to putting the sustainable use of resources at the heart of UK business practice.
Since 1994 Envirowise has helped UK businesses save over £1 billion by enabling them to significantly reduce their environmental impact.
Envirowise offers businesses of all sizes and sectors a wide range of free, independent and practical advice designed to genuinely improve their processes, profitability and competitiveness.
Amongst the more common obstacles quoted in the research were a lack of time and not knowing where to start to introduce leaner, more environmentally sustainable practices.
In response, the government-funded programme launched the ‘Enviro Hour’ to help UK businesses usefully spend just an hour a week converting their good intentions to reduce their environmental impact into long-term financial savings.
Erika Coghlan, Marketing Director for Envirowise comments: “There are many simple steps that can be taken by businesses to start the ball rolling. By using the time available efficiently, businesses can start taking advantage of cost savings and an enhanced reputation.”
If businesses only have an hour a week to spend addressing environmental issues, the introduction of an ‘Enviro Hour’, will help them to focus on making the small, simple changes that can have an immediate impact.
She continues: “The best place to start is by nominating an environmental ‘champion’. 71% of the surveyed businesses did not have a dedicated person whose job included minimising environmental impact. They can then get on-track by making use of the free advice available from business support organisations such as Envirowise.”
Things that can be done:
One hour a week: Nominate a champion who takes up the environmental challenge and encourages all staff members to adopt more sustainable working practices.
Contact your suppliers and ask them to look at reducing their packaging so you have less to dispose of.
One day a week: Begin a review of suppliers you work with, to ensure they have their own robust environmental policies.
Begin writing an environmental policy that could be the starting point for a structured approach to managing your environmental issues. It would allow you to demonstrate their sustainable credentials to customers and competitors.
Construction
Envirowise also publishes useful information on, amongst many other things, construction waste.
This is a simplified version of information that is available in greater detail on the Envirowise website:
Waste is ‘any substance or object that the holder discards, or intends to discard’. You have a Duty of Care to know what is in your waste, that the person you are giving it to is licensed to carry it and that it is disposed of in a licensed site. SUB-CONTRACTORS - who give waste to a main contractor, are still responsible for those wastes under the Duty of Care. If you transport your own waste, you need to be registered as a waste carrier with your Environmental Regulator. Most building sites need to be registered if they produce hazardous waste.
If your work produces unacceptable levels of dust and odour, the Local Authority Environmental Health Department can stop you working.
Water and chemicals from the washing of paint and painting equipment are not allowed to enter surface water drains or to soak into the ground.
The Landfill Directive bans the disposal of liquid wastes to landfill. Before you decide to dispose of surpluses of things like paint, assess whether you can use it elsewhere.
Types of waste:
There are three main types of construction waste distinguished by their environmental impact. Each is sent to a different type of landfill site.
Inert waste-includes set concrete, bricks, glass, tiles.
Non-hazardous waste-includes timber, paper, plastic, powder fillers, empty tins and tubes, acrylic filler, linseed oil, wallpaper paste, PVA, putty, emulsion paint.
Hazardous waste-includes solvent based paints, varnishes, sealants, wood stains and wood preservers, some border adhesives, lead paint (and burnt-off lead paint), two-part fillers, some mastics, solvent-based paint remover, brick cleaner, spray paints, lime wash, fire-retardant paints.
Things you can do
We are all aiming for the best practical environmental option - a balance between getting the job done well and considering the environmental impact. Using the best environmental option can also save you money. You should Know the types of waste you produce.
Coming your way soon
The law on environmental issues is constantly changing. Some initiatives you should know about are:
WEEE-Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Regulations affect all forms of electrical equipment, from mobile phones to battery power tools. These will be classified as hazardous waste and need to be deconstructed before disposal.
Batteries Directive-on the use and disposal of batteries.
Site waste management plans-do you have one?
The envirowise website, www.envirowise.gov.uk, is a good place to start if you want to develop a greener policy for your business. It has sections for both retail and construction so should have plenty for any reader of Toolbusiness+Hire to get think about.
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Airstream Business Communications Ltd