A new initiative could help manufacturers in Greater London to unlock thousands of pounds in cost savings and completely change their approach to the way they deal with waste.
Rethink Waste has been launched by sustainability experts Envirowise with support from manufacturers' organisation EEF and will help companies discover the 'true' cost of waste to their business.
For example, Envirowise experience has shown that manufacturers taking action to reduce waste and improve their resource efficiency can save up to £1,0001 per employee. Across the UK, around £500 million could be saved annually2.
Companies can register at www.envirowise.gov.uk/rethink from October 2009 and the course begins early in 2010. Three advice-packed online modules will take businesses through the key steps of collecting benchmarking data, developing an action plan and then implementing a waste saving strategy. Participants will also have access to a virtual factory tour, audiocasts and an online resource efficiency conference.
Envirowise Regional Manager for London, Sophy Greenhalgh, said: "While many UK manufacturers have enthusiastically adopted recycling measures3, there are more opportunities to reduce and re-use materials as well – actions that could substantially benefit their bottom line. With landfill tax set to rise to £48 per tonne in 2010/2011 the economic imperative to minimise waste at every opportunity is clear."
Head of Environment at the EEF, Gareth Stace, adds: "As outlined in EEF's recent 'Manufacturing Our Future' report, climate change is a long-term challenge that manufacturers will need to face if they are to survive and thrive. We welcome additional support to help the sector get the best from its resources. Free initiatives such as Rethink Waste offer a practical and accessible route to resource efficiency and we will be encouraging our members to take part."
Manufacturers can register for Rethink Waste before 31 December 2009. Registrations can be made at www.envirowise.gov.uk/rethink.
[ENDS]
1. Estimate by Envirowise
2. Figures based on quantification of business benefits of resource efficiency report oakdene hollins.
3. Measuring performance – Environment Survey 2008, Published by EEF & Envirowise
About Envirowise
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 £1bn by enabling them to significantly reduce their environmental footprints.
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. Services include:
- The Envirowise Advice Line on 0800 585794
- An encyclopaedic website (www.envirowise.gov.uk) of valuable and relevant information
- Over 200 events each year, from Product Design Workshops to major exhibitions
About EEF
EEF, the manufacturers' organisation is the representative voice of manufacturing in the UK together with ECIA, the Engineering Construction Industry Association and UK Steel. The EEF has a growing membership of almost 6,000 companies of all sizes, employing some 900,000 people from every sector of engineering, manufacturing, engineering construction and technology-based industries.