The Rippleffect was enormously successful in helping businesses tackle water inefficiency last year. As well as renewing the Rippleffect in 2009, Envirowise is using a similar approach to develop advice on waste for manufacturers and engineers. There is a real demand for support from the industry with around 20% of last year's Rippleffect members from the manufacturing sector – and it is also recognised that this sector has been particularly hard hit in the economic downturn.
As the sector continues down the road to recovery we've partnered with EEF, the manufacturers' organisation, to create an interactive online training initiative.
Rethink Waste is open to manufacturers across England and will particularly help small and medium-sized businesses in this industry to identify and minimise waste at their sites – but it will also help them to maximise their profits through resource efficiency. It is particularly tuned to help three key subsectors of the industry: machinery and electrical equipment manufacturers, automotive firms and the metal working industry both for basic metals and fabricated metal products. The training will incorporate resource efficiency and other aspects of waste reduction best practices appropriate to these subsectors.
This initiative will particularly benefit production and operations managers, HSE managers and quality assurance managers but owner/managers and managing director level representatives will also gain important strategic understanding of the solutions possible within their sector. The emphasis is placed firmly on practical steps and quick wins, to help businesses make quick and effective changes that will help aid their survival and recovery in these challenging times.
Registration opens from 1 October for a stimulating three month training package starting in January, which will include a variety of elements including downloadable training modules, audio casts, a web conference and a virtual factory tour. It will help firms understand the potential for resource efficiency throughout the aspects of their business from the supply chain and design through to warehousing, machine shop operations, sandblasting, finishing, testing, packaging and dispatch.
You can find out more about Rethink Waste and help your company profit from resource efficiency at www.envirowise.gov.uk/rethink
.