Northern Ireland Resource Efficiency Support Scheme

UK businesses could save £6.4billion per year and could help create and protect jobs by improving the way they use their resources. With this in mind, ARENA Network, the environmental arm of Business in the Community are offering 40 SME’s throughout Northern Ireland the opportunity to look at their resources and explore how they can become more sustainable.

Funded by the Department of the Environment’s Rethink Waste Campaign, the programme titled ‘Sustainability Meets Efficiency’, will engage SMEs throughout Northern Ireland to become more sustainable by using innovative and proven tools of engagement to develop their environmental management.

‘Sustainability Meets Efficiency’ aims to help SMEs prevent, reduce, reuse and recycle waste. In addition it will also involve reducing carbon (through energy efficiencies), improved resource efficiencies, and at the same time complying with environmental legislation and saving money. Participation in the programme is FREE. Participating SMEs are required to assign a member of staff to manage the programme on behalf of the organisation.

Each participating SME will receive:

• A series of one-to-one meetings with an expert Environmental Auditor, benefiting from the Auditor’s specialist knowledge and experience
• An environmental audit report outlining tailored advice and guidance on resource efficiency and cost savings for the organisation
• Information on environmental legislation that the SME’s must comply with
• An environmental action plan outlining actions for environmental improvements and cost savings specific to the organisation

The programme will improve business awareness and management of environmental impacts by providing practical support, solutions and advice, this will result in enhanced business performance and a competitive edge for the 40 participating SMEs.

To apply for the programme or for additional information please email Keelin Hamill or call (028) 9046 0606

Source: http://www.bitc.org.uk/northern_ireland/what_we_do/planet/sme_sustainability.html