Green Business Initiative – A Waste Prevention Project for SMEs Keiron Phillips - OCLR
What is Green Business Initiative? � Project to drive waste prevention in SMEs � Provision of support/tools to small business � Number of elements/projects within GBI � GBI aims to influence behaviour and generate outcomes � Outcomes should be measurable Overall Goal is show businesses examples of what can be done and help them to do it!
What is the need for the GBI? “SMEs don’t think strategically.” Chairman of a small business forum
Elements for a Successful Waste Prevention Project � Outside Technical Knowledge and Support � Integration of new and existing networks � Involvement of regional authorities � Demonstration element � Outside funding � Company buy in � “Heroes” driving the WP agenda in companies
Ethos of Green Business Initiative � Transparency and openness – trust is an issue � “Greenbusiness.ie” - distinct identity, “independent” from EPA � Emphasis on user friendliness, relevant content � Holistic view (waste/energy/water) � Integrated with other prevention projects (e.g. LAPD), linked to other delivery groups (e.g. Local Authorities, Enterprise Ireland, IBEC, Sectoral organisation etc.) � Recognition that businesses are profit motivated
What’s in it for me? Ray – “I've done everything I've been asked to do. I didn't understand, but I've done it. I haven't once asked what's in it for me.” Shoeless Joe – “What are you saying?” Ray – “I'm saying, ‘What's in it for me’?" Kevin Costner – “Field of Dreams”
An Economists Viewpoint…… � “ Jeez Dude, these guys know all of this stuff already. You can bet if there was money in it, these guys would be doing it already” Sean Blacklocke – Environmental Economist
“Cash on the Table” � A fundamental principle of economics � Two economists went to lunch….
What’s actually in it for the business? � Increase profit through decreasing waste handling and disposal charges, reduced energy and water bills, more effective use of raw materials � Access to specialist help � Been “seen to be green” within sector and local community � Legislative compliance � Recognised award scheme for successful participation GBI needs to help SMEs to recognise the advantages, and provide the tools to realistically realise them!
Main Current Elements of the GBI � Greenbusiness.ie � Sectoral Study - Greening Irish Hospitality � Case Studies � Case Study Implementation Project – CSI Elements to come….. � Further sectoral projects � Waste Exchange Project � Resource Tracker (through greenbusiness.ie) � Award
“Greenbusiness.ie” � Focal point of tools and resources � Waste Audit Tool (WAT) � Water Audit Tool (WaAT) � Link to “Energy Map” (SEI Tool) � Telephone/e-mail help lines � Site visit and individual report tailored to individual business � Legislative guidance in “non-legalese” terms � Sectoral guidance � Links/news etc � Resource Efficiency Audit & Comparison Tool (REACT) � Public face and “brand” to GBI � Enviros Consulting Ltd successful bidder
Greenbusiness.ie
“Greenbusiness.ie”
“Greenbusiness.ie
Waste Audit Tool � Step by Step guidance on how to measure waste � Podcast video clips � Waste catalogue with illustrations � Sectorally tailored � Produces hard copy audit sheets � Input data from your audit � Produces a generic report on your waste profile � Will allow updating and comparisons to be made to show improvement � Integrates to site visit to maximise value � Water Audit Tool and Resource Tracking Tool to be similar
� www.wasteaudittool.com Waste Audit Tool
Changes to the RAW Tool � Made more appropriate to businesses � Users able to update data fields more easily � Volume/weight calculators added � Baler calculator added? � Rebranded to GBI � Hints/Tips section made more relevant and prevention focussed � Reports section streamlined and more indictors added � Currently establishing users trials with SNS
Water Audit Tool (WaAT) � 2 different elements to the WaAT � Benchmarking tool � Comparator to similar businesses � Allows businesses to see “how they are doing” � Possible best practice benchmark? � Simple water balance tool � “water in/water out” � Information from bills � Allows businesses to decide if water is a significant issue to them
Greenbusiness.ie – Forthcoming Milestones � WAT/WaAt development completed – May 08 � User trials and feedback – May/June 08 � Site Visit protocols developed – May 08 � Soft launch/pilot phase – June/Dec 08 � Full launch – Spring 09
Sectoral Studies � Detailed examinations of activities and best practice � Provision of direct support to sectors � Selection criteria to identify a mix of sectors � Producers of large amounts of waste � Sectors with good existing structures/projects underway � Acknowledge and integrate with suitable existing guidance I.e. metal finishing, hotels/catering � Greening Irish Hospitality – 4 year project, underway � CTC/HSC successful bidders with “Green Fáilte Awards”
History of Green Fáilte Awards � Has been in existence since 1999 � Incorporated best practice from CGPP � Operates in 7 Counties with c. 80+ members � Cork, Waterford, Limerick/Clare/Kerry, Carlow/Kilkenny � Supported by Chambers of Commerce, Local Authorities, Local Companies � EPA funding for 4 years, c. €1.6m � Total member target 2008 – 200+ � See www.greenfailte.ie for details
Progress to Date � Launch event 23 April 2008, Clarion Liffey Valley � Over 130 hotels, including Radisson SAS, Hilton, Clarion, Carlton, Talbot and others � Radisson SAS adopted the scheme as its own Standard � Possible benefits of project implementation may include: � C. €1000 per room per year saving to hotels � €100m p.a. to hotels if best practice adopted � >150,000 tonnes waste � 4.5 million cubic metres of water saved � 162,000 tonnes of CO 2 saved � Template likely to be used in other sectors � Green Fáilte to rebrand later in year
Case Studies � Panel of 12 consultants formed � Submit case studies they have worked on � Recruit case studies from other sources and write them up for us (3 pages, strong financials) � Bounty for each case study � Take case studies from our projects and “direct market” them via CSI � CSI is a demonstration project
Case Study Implementation – CSI � Feasibility Study of sector carried out by EPA � Consultants selected � Contact Plan worked out with sectoral representatives � Initial demonstration visit � Sign up of participants (10-15) � Training & support (& mentoring) � Follow up � Write up as more case studies
Case Study Implementation – CSI � Cleaner Greener Production Programme – Phases 1-3 � 29 Case Studies carried out (in Phase 1) � 4 case studies selected for scoping by EPA � Concrete pre-cast – (Unsuitable after scoping) � Fish processing - Ongoing � Hospitals – (Extension of Hotels and Hospitality?) � Construction and Demolition – (Specialist Sectoral Study)
National Waste Exchange Schemes � Existing ROI Schemes � Dublinwaste.ie � Jumbletown � SNS pallet exchange scheme � Macroom-e Waste Matchers � NI Scheme � National Industrial Symbiosis Project (NISP) � Feasibility of Looking at a national scheme � Challenges – critical mass � Identifying matches � Legislative constraints � Regional Schemes might be better?
Summary � Tools/support provided so businesses can help themselves � Development of stakeholder networks � Emphasis on profit, payback times and user- friendliness � When it comes to prevention, what’s good for business, is good for the environment � Not a briefcase full of money, more a set of directions
k.phillips@epa.ie Thank You
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