Sustainable business

Introduction

Sustainability is a business issue. In energy use, waste disposal and management or procurement, actions taken today will influence the ability of business to prosper or even survive tomorrow. For small businesses there is free environmental guidance on how to comply with environmental legislation available at www.netregs.gov.uk.

Medway Council recognises that it must set an example to the local business community, to influence the adoption of good practice on sustainability and to deliver tangible benefits. This is demonstrated by the Medway car share scheme (www.medwaycarshare.com) which reduces congestion and cuts the cost of fuel and parking.

The council is committed to improving its own performance and has initiated a number of projects that will affect:

• energy – an audit of energy use and proposals for improvement;
• waste – seeking ways to reduce the amount of waste produced;
• procurement – new policies and guidelines to introduce ‘green’ criteria.

Sustainable business practices are very much bound up with the theme of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), which is becoming a key issue for major corporations. Business information and support on sustainable business issues can be found on the Business Link Kent website (www.businesslink.gov.uk/bdotg3/action/layer?topicId=5000431510&site=43&r.s=m) and SEEDA (www.seeda.co.uk/Work_in_the_Region/Business/Sustainable_Business).

The council's goals are to raise awareness of sustainability, to encourage and influence the adoption of best practice and to provide advice and assistance to local businesses for the benefit of the environment and the wider community. To find out more about reducing your company's carbon footprint please request a resource efficiency pack from the LA21 coordinator using the contact information at the bottom of the webpage.

Business outreach

Medway Council is undertaking a number of projects to assist businesses on a range of issues. The business outreach programme is built around 10 themes:

• environmental management systems (EMS);
• commercial waste mitigation;
• supply chain reviews;
• business travel plans;
• green procurement;
• clean transport fleets;
• information via the web;
• encouraging local employment;
• pre-application planning assistance;
• environmental businesses.

Environmental management systems

Medway Council is partnering the Kent Sustainable Business Partnership (KSBP) to help up to 10 of its own suppliers to gain accreditation under the Kent Green Supplier Scheme (KGSS). More and more large companies are looking for environmental standards in their supply chains.

Information about controlling energy costs is available from the Carbon Trust.

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Commercial waste mitigation

Commercial and industrial waste remains a major challenge for Kent and Medway. The council will work with private sector partners to find opportunities to mitigate its effect. Commercial and industrial waste is estimated to account for 59 per cent of the total (excluding construction and demolition waste). The Landfill Directive will reduce opportunities to dispose of waste (particularly hazardous waste) by landfill and the reduction, re-use and recycling of waste will become priorities.

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Supply chain reviews

The council will help local businesses to review their supply chains and where possible, identify locally-based suppliers.

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Business travel plans

Medway Council already encourages local businesses to enter into voluntary agreements to promote sustainable modes of travel and to reduce business mileage. It will work to extend those schemes at business parks across Medway.

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Green procurement

The council will make available template procurement policies for businesses to adopt and adapt to encourage the take up of green procurement through the supply chain.

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Clean transport fleets

The council will promote the use of alternative fuels, such as biodiesel and LPG, and support initiatives to introduce other types of power system in transport fleets.

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Information via the web

The council’s web site, web portals such as the Medway Business Portal and programmes like Wired Medway (www.medwaybusiness.co.uk/aboutus.htm) will be developed to deliver information on the environmental characteristics of local businesses and opportunities for environmental businesses.

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Local employment

The aim of JobsMatch Medway is to encourage more local people to work locally. The council will help local businesses that have employment needs that can be met from the skills of local workers.

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Planning

The council can assist local businesses with enquiries on sustainable development prior to the submission of planning applications.

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Environmental business

The council will promote and assist existing businesses in the environmental sector and new business start-ups, including social and voluntary enterprises.

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Bulletins

Environmental legislation is being enacted at a breathtaking pace. This places obligations on existing businesses, while creating opportunities for new businesses and even new business sectors to develop.

Sustainable Business Bulletins (SSBs) are concise and readily understandable notices for local businesses that deliver the critical information needed.

Web resources

There are numerous web resources on business sustainability. These are the key links:

Government agencies

• Envirowise (www.envirowise.gov.uk)
• Environment Agency (www.environment-agency.gov.uk)
• Net Regs (www.netregs.gov.uk)

Regional or county agencies

• ReMaDe (www.remade-kentmedway.co.uk)
• KSBP (www.egeneration.co.uk/kent/index.asp)

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