Manufacturers could save thousands by rethinking waste

British Marine Federation (BMF) has teamed up with Envirowise, the Governments environment programme driven to improve business practices, profitability and competitiveness.  Rethink Waste is a FREE initiative developed with support from manufacturers’ organisation EEF, to help manufacturers, including marine manufacturers of all sizes in the UK to reduce waste, improve resource efficiency and save money.

Manufacturers of any product should register for the online initiative before 31 December at www.envirowise.gov.uk/rethink.

While many UK manufacturers have adopted recycling measures, there are also opportunities to reduce and re-use waste. Taking on these measures can substantially benefit the bottom line as the true cost of waste (including waste raw materials, energy and labour) can amount to between five and 20 times the cost of disposal.

Envirowise experience has shown that manufacturers taking action to reduce waste and improve their resource efficiency can save up to £1,000 per employee.*

Rethink Waste will be delivered over three months in three advice-packed online modules:

Data collection
-         Resource efficiency
-         Collecting data - where and how
-         Benchmarking data
-         Waste mapping
-         Employee engagement

Developing an action plan
-         Step-by-step to action plan
-         Obtaining senior management support
-         Understanding costs and benefits
-         Writing an environmental policy
-         The supply chain

Implementing the action plan and measuring savings
-         Prioritising options - Analytical tools
-         Implementing actions
-         Motivating and engaging employees
-         Effectively communicating actions
-         Benchmarking information    

The flexible approach of the modules allows manufacturers to view and participate at their own speed and convenience.

                                                                 
A guidance of around two days per module would allow a manufacturer to fully utilise the templates and information available to them. If time is limited, the modules can be used as a way to gain ideas and tools that can be implemented at a later stage.

Manufacturers can find out more information and register for Rethink Waste until 31 December 2009 at www.envirowise.gov.uk/rethink. The first module will be available to registrants at the beginning of January 2010.

At present, this service is only available to the UK manufacturing sector.  If however, you are interested in reducing your impact on the environment and saving money, but are not currently eligible, please visit www.marinetoolkit.co.uk.  This online toolkit, produced by The Green Blue, following the guidance in BMF’s Environmental Code of Practice (www.ecop.org.uk) provides clear and simple guidance on how you can make positive changes within your business.  For further information on the Marine Toolkit and to register your interest for a site visit please contact Dan Reading on 023 8060 4242.

For further information on the rethink waste scheme and BMF’s involvement, please contact Brian Clark, Environment & External Relations Manager on 01784 223644.

* Data derived from Envirowise onsite reviews and REC club findings.