Going Green

The Sustainable Business Networks (SBN) are the forward facing business support system run by a number of partners in Hampshire. The partnership is currently running 3 local networks across Hampshire in the North, Central and South of the County.

Local quarterly network meetings bring together engaged and like-minded businesses in an informal setting to consider a different sustainability issue each time. Past meeting themes have included Environmental Management Systems (EMS), Transport, Energy, Marketing yourself as a Sustainable Business, Sustainable Procurement, Staff Engagement and many more.

Free morning and afternoon events combine high-quality presentations from experts within the field, a practical workshop element and networking opportunities. Network members also receive a regular e-mag with news from the sector, information from the SBN and events listings. They also have access to a SBN helpline, a comprehensive website and discounted environmental training.
About SBN
The Sustainable Business Network aims to increase the number of businesses operating to sound sustainable business principles, and to position Hampshire as a leader within the UK’s low carbon economy.
This means helping and influencing businesses to take action on the environmental, social and economic impacts, for example through improved resource efficiency, waste minimisation activities, community engagement, investment in staff and delivering “value added” to the local economy, stimulating demand for green and low carbon products, and representing and promoting Hampshire businesses at the local, regional and national level.
To achieve this it engages with a wide range of public and private sector organisations who share this common interest in order both to provide direct support and assistance to businesses in understanding and acting on sustainable business principles, and to help shape the local, regional and national policies which drive this activity forwards.

Environmental Management Systems

An Environmental Management System is framework to help businesses manage their impact on the environment and comply with Government legislation. Having an EMS can not only help you to reduce your environmental impact but it can also achieve cost saving and demonstrate your commitment to improving your performance to clients. You can set up your own EMS as an internal management tool. Alternatively, there are recognised national and international standards that provide accreditation and external recognition of the standards achieved. EMS standards recommended by Defra include:

• ISO 14001
• EMAS
• BS 8555

To fully contribute to an improved environmental performance, a good EMS should:

• Be implemented at a strategic level and integrated into corporate policy and plans.
• Identify the organisation’s impact on the environment and set clear objectives and targets to improve their performance.
• Be designed to deliver and manage compliance with environmental laws and regulations.
• Incorporate assured performance metrics that demonstrate all of the above.

To search for Going Green options available to you, click here

Six things your business can do to love our planet

Encourage sustainable travel: Got a travel scheme at work? Why not reward those who cycle, walk or car share on their commute.

Create a living wall: Adding indoor foliage can improve air quality in what can often be a stale office environment.

Turn it off: Every night, without question, turn all your appliances and equipment off. Not to standby, off. Apart from the fridge.

Cut down packaging: Get rid of elaborate waste. Consider outsourcing your product packaging and switching to a less wasteful supplier.

Stock green: Try to use environmentally products where possible. Take a hard look at what you are currently using – are your products recyclable? Are they harmful to the environment? Avoid non-replenishable materials such as petroleum bi-products and metal.

Think local: Reduce your transport footprint dramatically by converting to local suppliers. Not only is it good for the environment, it also adds a much needed boost to your local economy.

Find out more here

Environmental Legislation and Your Business

There’s lots of government legislation in place to ensure that UK businesses meet the minimum standards required to minimise their impact on the environment.  How these regulations will affect you will depend on the size and type of your business, as well as the sector you operate in and the process you have in place.  UK environmental regulations focus on a number of key areas:
Air: Related to the amount of smoke, dust, noise, odour and solvents emitted by your business.
Hazardous substances: Regulations cover the collection, storage, handling, processing, use and disposal of various substances including: oil, ozone depleting substances, pesticides and biocides, radioactive substances, animal by-products and hazardous/special waste.
Waste: Regulating the handling, storage, transport and disposal of trade waste, as well as the recycling of products.
Water:Pollution, water abstraction and the discharge of trade effluent to public sewers.
Packaging: Covering the production, use and handling of packaging or packaging materials.
Land: Regulations cover the usage of contaminated land and landfill sites for disposal of business waste.
For more detailed information on how these regulations might affect your business, please click here