EQ ISSUE 13
Welcome to issue 13 of EQ. Despite the blustery autumn weather we are keen to make this edition as positive as possible. With ‘Make a Difference’ day having just recently passed us by, we want to focus on how small changes can still make a lasting difference to limiting our impact on the environment, and why any business (large or small) should be looking to enhance their corporate responsibility. We have two varied case studies demonstrating what assistance we can give to your company and what the benefits are. As well as an elaboration on what the Foundation climate fund actually is and how companies in the Northwest can become involved. Finally, one of our resident experts will be answering your questions on how to make your compressed air systems more efficient.
Contents Case Study: Baerlocher
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Foundation
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Case Study: Jackson, Jackson & Sons
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Ask the Expert
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Groundwork Specialist Services
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Training & Events Programme
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Changing Process to Increase Productivity and Savings
A climate fund for the Northwest.
Working towards long-term benefits.
What can be done to help you with your compressed air.
A team away day with a difference.
This publication is funded by:
Enjoy!
Climate Change: Say Yay not Nay to May Day Pledge The Prince’s May Day Network is the UK’s largest group of businesses committed to taking action on climate change. Over 1,100 businesses of all sizes have now signed. The network provides businesses with practical support and profiling of their low carbon activities. You can join the Prince’s May Day Network today for free. To join you need to commit to one or more of the following six pledges: 2 EQ 13
Measure and report your business’ carbon emissions publicly or to business in the Community Manage your carbon emissions, develop a carbon action plan and set a reduction target. Take action to reduce your business’ carbon emissions Engage your employees to take action on climate change Work in partnership with suppliers to reduce carbon emissions in the supply chain Engage customers’ to take action on climate change Signing up to voluntary commitments such as the
Prince’s May Day Pledge is going above and beyond what British business has to comply to; meaning legislation does not bind them to it but adds to a company’s Corporate Social Responsibility. Corporate Social Responsibility has become a leading factor not just for multinationals but smaller businesses wanting to improve their organisation for their clients, stakeholders and employees. The latest Grant Thornton International Business Report demonstrates that the top drivers for Corporate Social Responsibility are: recruitment and retention cost management and brand building For further information on the May Day Pledge or
Groundwork please contact your local Groundwork office: Manchester, Stockport, Salford, Tameside, Trafford and Wigan Jackie Carter: 0161 220 1020 Oldham & Rochdale Kate Harcus: 0161 624 1444 Bury & Bolton James Winfield: 0161 724 3770
Bury based Baerlocher Lead by example by going Lead (Pb) Free Baerlocher are a Bury based manufacturing company that produce stabiliser additives for PVC products, supplying into the window profile, pipe, sheeting, and cable extrusion industries. Traditionally this industry uses a percentage of lead in the manufacturing process. Baerlocher is leading the move to produce lead free formulations. As Groundwork Bury and Bolton conducted an environmental audit and discussed how the company is proactively taking steps to ensure that they keep their competitive edge both within the context of operational matters (NVQ training, Manufacturing Excellence in association with the Manufacturing Institute) and the wider working environment provided for staff.
Additional investment was made during 2008 in a new plant suitable for calcium based production thus allowing the company to now offer both lead based and more environmentally friendly calcium alternatives. An investment of over €500,000 was made which gives the company greater flexibility as to the grades they are able to produce as well as enhancing their environmental image. Graeme Knox, Site Manager at Baerlocher, commented: “Baerlocher are leading the industry with statistics showing that more than 50% of our production is now lead free.”
These initiatives have enhanced the company’s environmental performance and reduced its costs. When A well managed absolute the site completes its move HEPA filtration system away from lead and switches reduces waste within the to 100% calcium based air monitoring (£1,000 pa) process by allowing any alternatives, cost savings virgin material to be collected will be made in a number of reduction in PPE – and re-entered. The benefits areas: Personal Protective this has brought to the Equipment (£2,000 pa) company include 75% less no requirement for PPC toxic waste being sent (Environment Agency – no ADR requirement – to landfill saving both on Pollution Prevention and lower transportation cost disposal costs and many Control) Permit (£4,000 times more on raw materials pa) Corporate social which are now recycled, responsibility is high on resulting in £40k per annum employee blood lead the agenda at Baerlocher saving. tests (£6,000 pa) as well; the company have recently established a small ecological haven at the rear of the site. Warehouse Supervisor, Paul Cook, elaborated: “This came about when the company decided to stop mowing an area of grass land to the side and rear of the premises. We started to see all sorts of wildlife appearing. We now have a resident fox, owl, rabbits, falcon and voles.”
As a company, Baerlochers ethos is one of continual improvement. In the future Graeme insisted that the company will make further environmental improvements, invest in machinery and extend their Corporate Social Responsibility. To book your free Diagnostic Review contact the Resource Efficiency Team: Manchester, Stockport, Salford, Tameside, Trafford and Wigan Jackie Carter: 0161 220 1020 Oldham & Rochdale Kate Harcus: 0161 624 1444 Bury & Bolton James Winfield: 0161 724 3770
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Foundation: A chance to make a difference to your local community Foundation is a unique local climate fund that gathers up donations from businesses and individuals and uses them to support a variety of community-based carbon reduction projects across the Northwest region. If you’re a business, no matter how large or small, Foundation offers you a
new way to compensate for your unavoidable carbon emissions, help meet Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) requirements and improve your image with stakeholders and consumers. It doesn’t matter whether your business is already an environmental champion or only just adapting to a low carbon existence, Foundation offers the perfect partnership of tackling climate change and helping local communities in one fell swoop. One recent business to start working with Foundation is Manchester based Shiply. com, an on-line logistics agency that arranges loads for vans and trucks that would otherwise make an empty return journey. Already the winner of numerous environmental wards; from this November Shiply.com are giving haulage companies the opportunity to contribute to Foundation on a per mile basis for journeys made in the Northwest and help them expand their green credentials.
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Contributions made to Foundation support projects such as domestic energy efficiency improvements, renewable energy installations, behaviour change initiatives and carbon capture schemes. All of the projects result in real carbon savings that are closely monitored and subject to independent scrutiny. As well as seeking projects that reduce carbon emissions, Foundation looks for projects that show their commitment to improving deprived areas or challenged communities, delivering wider environmental or biodiversity benefits and prioritising local skills, technology and materials. To find out how you can work with Foundation to compensate for your carbon emissions, meet your CSR requirements and invest in your region, contact the Foundation team on 0161 237 3200 or visit www. climatefund.org.uk.
Jackson, Jackson & Sons: Building on Sustainable Practices This consultancy involved providing guidance on WRAP’s best practice tools and further guidance on being resource efficient within the construction industry. Jackson, Jackson & Sons have since signed up to WRAP’s halving waste to landfill commitment.
If you believe your company could benefit from a consultancy project then money could be available to fund it through the ENWORKS programme.
Following this a formal assessment was undertaken In understanding this, of Jackson, Jackson Jackson, Jackson & & Sons sustainable Sons are committed to procurement system, reducing this impact by using a sustainable through efficiencies made procurement assessment to their utilities and fuel framework. The completed consumption, raw material assessment demonstrated use and waste to landfill. the corresponding areas They are now looking to pass for improvement for the these benefits down their company’s procurement supply chain by incorporating policy. a sustainable procurement strategy into their buying As a result of the procedure. consultancy Jackson, Jackson & Sons are Groundwork Oldham & implementing new measures Rochdale commissioned to their procurement environmental consultant procedure. Beverley Sexton, Daniel Whittaker to examine Health, Safety, Environment their current policy and and Quality manager at procedures and identify Jackson, Jackson & Sons areas for improvement. elaborates:
Manchester, Stockport, Salford, Tameside, Trafford and Wigan Jackie Carter: 0161 220 1020
Jackson, Jackson & Sons are a construction company based in Rochdale specialising in new-build/ refurbishment and employ 98 members of staff. They have an Environmental Management System certified to ISO 14001 and are fully aware of the impact their business has on the local and global environment.
For further information please contact your local Groundwork office:
Oldham & Rochdale Kate Harcus: 0161 624 1444 Bury & Bolton James Winfield: 0161 724 3770
“We are currently putting together the names of companies from whom we will be able to source sustainable materials and/ or equipment for the construction sites. We will be inviting representatives from these companies and then putting together a register for use by our tender staff, Quantity Surveyors and Buyers.”
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About Compressed Air Q 1. Why are compressed air systems so costly to run?
Q 4. What pressure should I ideally set my compressed air system at?
A Producing compressed air is very expensive (typically around 50p/kWh). It takes more than ten units of electricity to provide one unit of compressed air. Furthermore, each system requires tubing around the building making it more likely for leaks to occur within the system.
A More energy is needed to generate air at high pressure. If you generate compressed air at lower pressures, you save money! Typical generating pressure is 100psi (7 bar); however if a pressure of 85psi (6 bar) is sufficient; costs can be reduced by about 4% to 7% depending on the system.
Q 2. What can I do to keep a compressed air system running as efficiently as possible?
Q 5. I have heard blowguns are one of the largest inefficiencies for compressed air, is this true?
A A regular leak test and repair programme will be beneficial. Leaks are responsible for the largest proportion of waste (typically about 40% of all losses). Losses through a 1.6mm diameter hole (a match head) require 1 kW of power to compress the air lost. Groundwork Trusts offer compressed air leak detection surveys free for SMEs and heavily subsidised for larger businesses.
Q 3. What other problems may there be within my compressed air system? A There are several other factors within a compressed air system that may be causing inefficiencies. For instance, redundant pipe work is a potential source of significant leakage. Unless it is correctly isolated, the pipe work has to be pressurised at the start of each shift. This wastes money.
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A Because of the high cost of compressed air it is ill advised to use compressed air purely for the purpose of blowguns. It would be better to use alternatives, such as battery-powered tools. However, if blowguns are a necessity to your organisation; reduce your blowgun pressure to 30psi from a general system pressure of approximately 100psi; this will reduce operating costs by 60%.
Q 6. Are there any other tips you can offer for improving my compressed air system for the future? A Easy tips are ensuring filters are kept clean and that the air is drawn from the outside as cold air runs far more efficiently. If you are looking to actually make modifications to the machinery, consider installing variable speed drives to reduce energy consumption.
Nicholas Wright, Groundwork Oldham & Rochdale Nick is an Environmental Business Advisor with Groundwork Oldham and Rochdale. He is an associate member and registered auditor of the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA). Nick has been delivering on the ENWORKS resource efficiency programme for 2 years. As well as conducting resource efficiency reviews he also delivers on Groundwork Oldham & Rochdale’s consultancy work including thermal imaging, data logging and compressed air leak detection surveying.
Groundwork Specialist Services: Team Away Days A Groundwork organised Team Away Day is the perfect opportunity for your workplace to get a taster of what volunteering is all about! We can provide you with an environmentally friendly away day tailored to what your company wants, whether it is an afternoon spent helping out on one of our nature sites or planting trees for the future.
Our Team Away Days: Are a great way for companies to boost employee morale. Help staff to develop new skills and encourage better working across teams.
For further information on our Team Away Days or other services we provide related to corporate responsibility please see the contact details below.
A fantastic way to boost your business reputation and do something that has huge benefits for the local community and environment.
All this can be achieved, and more, by making your business more resource efficient.
improve your environmental performance; a process that will save you money, make you more competitive within your market place and will help improve your business reputation.
Through the ENWORKS business support programme, Groundwork can provide FREE resource We provide the technical efficiency support to expertise to help: eligible Small to Medium Enhance the bottom line Sized enterprises (SMEs) through minimisation of throughout Greater waste generation Manchester. Non SMEs are Increase efficiency still able to access a FREE with better use of raw resource efficiency review materials, labour and and access highly subsidised utilities additional support. Decrease waste sent to landďŹ ll At Groundwork, our resource efficiency programme Improve your image with is designed to help you stakeholders
To book your FREE Resource Efficiency Review, please contact: Manchester, Stockport, Salford, Tameside, Trafford and Wigan Jackie Carter: 0161 220 1020 Oldham & Rochdale Kate Harcus: 0161 624 1444 Bury & Bolton James Winfield: 0161 724 3770 For further information, please visit us online at: www.groundworknw.org.uk
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Training & Events Programme Energy Saving Trust Driver Efficiency Training 8 x 1 hour lessons on 20/01/10, 21/01/10 and 22/01/10 Cost: FREE to SMEs, non-SME price: £25
CIWM Waste Awareness Course
1 day course taking place in Manchester on 27/01/10 Cost: FREE to SMEs, non-SME price: £130
CIEH Environmental Management
5 day course taking place in Trafford on 02/02/10, 09/02/10, 16/02/10, 23/02/10, 02/03/10 Cost: £517.50 for GBA members and £575 for non members
CIEH Environmental Awareness Course 1 day course taking place in Bury on 11/02/10 Cost: FREE to SMEs, non-SME price: £150
We can offer FREE places to attend some of our Environmental and Waste Training for SMEs. Please contact us for more information. All prices are subject to VAT. If you have training needs which are not satisfied by the course or timing detailed above then please let us know. We will record your interest and look to provide additional training subject to demand. Groundwork can provide a range of accredited and non-accredited courses, tailored to your business, to be run on your site at a preferential rate.
For more details or to book onto any of these courses, please contact your local Groundwork business advisor: 0161 220 1020 for Manchester, Salford, Stockport, Tameside, Trafford and Wigan 0161 624 1444 for Oldham & Rochdale 0161 724 3770 for Bury & Bolton
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