Small builders working in tough economic conditions could unlock valuable cost benefits by using a new waste-saving guide from sustainable business experts Envirowise. Envirowise is funded locally by Invest Northern Ireland.
The free guide - available online at www.envirowise.gov.uk/EN922 - outlines a step-by-step review process which can help businesses identify the main causes of waste around their site and save as much as 40% on waste disposal costs.
Savings could be achieved by making simple low-cost or no-cost changes such as segregating waste at source. For example, reducing waste by 20% can cut a business's waste disposal costs by 40% and waste to landfill by 60%. With annual landfill tax rises recently confirmed until 2013 , there is clearly an imperative for businesses to take action.
Sam McCloskey, Envirowise Regional Manager for Northern Ireland, said: "The Federation of Master Builder's latest State of Trade survey shows that economic conditions for small builders in the UK continue to be very challenging. However, reducing waste costs is a straightforward, effective way to help improve the bottom-line and this new guide demonstrates how to secure significant cost savings with little or no up front investment required.
"Running a resource efficient business can also help builders to better manage their potential liabilities, reducing their exposure to costly fines from improper waste management processes, as well as ensuring they are well placed to make the most of the recovery when it comes."
Olive Hill, Invest NI's Director of Technology and Process Development, said: "This new guide from Envirowise, developed with support from Invest NI, can help companies extract the maximum commercial value from carrying out building works. It will also help improve overall efficiency by embedding within the workforce best practice for reducing and dealing with waste. These changes can make a crucial difference during what is a highly challenging time for the industry. Additionally, this kind of sustainable, waste conscious approach to operations can be a strong marketing angle for businesses in the sector and can help to secure further work as environmental considerations continue to become more influential."
For more general advice regarding resource efficiency in construction, Northern Ireland builders can visit www.envirowise.gov.uk/construction or call the Envirowise Advice Line on 0800 585794.
ENDS
Issued by Trimedia on behalf of Envirowise
For more information please contact Davinia Livock or Rod Dennis on 0117 9292 311 or davinia.livock@trimediauk.com
Notes to Editors
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 585 794
- An encyclopaedic website (www.envirowise.gov.uk) of valuable and relevant information
- Over 200 events each year, from Product Design Workshops to major exhibitions