Organisations

Businesses can also benefit by increasing profitability whilst reducing environmental impact. For small organisations, a family style approach is fine, but for larger groups, a more coordinated policy may be needed. See energy / waste audit section for more details

Energy Saving

Switch off appliances after use: leaving them on standby uses a lot more energy than most of us think; include plugs incorporating transformers eg mobile phone chargers and wireless phones

Change to low energy light bulbs: there are a wide variety of designs now available

Turn down your heating: by one degree on your thermostat or one setting on your gas or electric fire

Change transport habits: fill your car with people before making a trip; walk on journeys less than 1km; take the bus, tram or train; get on your bike and cycle; consider running your vehicle on locally produced bio-diesel

Change procurement habits: purchase green energy; use local office supply companies; buy recycled paper

Upgrade the insulation in your office or premises

Upgrade your heating system: for example condensing gas boilers are an energy efficient choice

Install alternative energy such as solar thermal water heating systems and wood fired space and water heaters

Recycling

Commercial Waste: the City Council’s contractor currently does not recycle commercial waste but has recently sent questionnaires out to it’s customers and plans to introduce a scheme during the next financial year

Ink and toner cartridges: check if your office supply company has a scheme to take these back; there are local businesses that exchange spent cartridges with refilled ones

Food waste: all left-overs except meat can be easily composted

Batteries: use rechargeable types for remote controls, torches and radios; anything that uses sizes AAA to PP3. Most light to medium ‘weight’ power tools use rechargeable supplies

Drinking water: if you drink bottled water, try a stand alone gravity filter or install a filter system that taps into your water supply

Rain and ‘grey’ water collected from the roof or from non hazardous processes using for example mild detergents can be used to supply toilets or other processes and are relatively ‘low tech’ and easy to install

Energy / Waste Audit

There are many organisations that can help you reduce costs in this area. Energy and waste figures are compiled using a questionnaire. The results are used to prepare a reduction strategy and action plan, which can lead to formal certification via British or International standards. Follow the links below for organisations and further information

Solutions - The Carbon Trust

How green is your workplace? Energy Saving Trust

Groundwork EBS

Environmental audits - Envirowise

Black Country Resource and Energy Efficiency Club

NISP

Energy Saving

Cycling - posted on February 25th 2008 by Mick Jones.
Wolverhampton Car Share - posted on February 25th 2008 by Mick Jones.
Bioenergy West Midlands - posted on February 22nd 2008 by admin.
The Phoenix Project - posted on February 21st 2008 by Mick Jones.
Transport Direct - posted on February 20th 2008 by Mick Jones.
Traveline - posted on February 20th 2008 by Mick Jones.
Lion Victory Bio Diesel - posted on February 20th 2008 by Mick Jones.

Recycling

Pride in Penn Fields - posted on February 21st 2008 by Mick Jones.
ASAN Green-Works - posted on February 21st 2008 by Mick Jones.

Environmental Auditing

National Industrial Symbiosis Programme (NISP) - posted on February 25th 2008 by admin .
Black Country Resource and Energy Efficiency Club - posted on February 25th 2008 by admin .
eco3 - posted on February 25th 2008 by admin .
Envirowise - posted on February 22nd 2008 by Mick Jones .
Groundwork EBS - posted on February 21st 2008 by Mick Jones .
Energy Saving Trust - posted on February 21st 2008 by Mick Jones .
Carbon Trust - posted on February 21st 2008 by Mick Jones .
Groundwork Black Country - posted on February 21st 2008 by Mick Jones .

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