SOUTH WESSEX WASTE MINIMISATION GROUP: 18Th March 2015, the Crown Hotel, Blandford

SOUTH WESSEX WASTE MINIMISATION GROUP: 18th March 2015, The Crown Hotel, Blandford

MINUTES OF MEETING

1.  Present

(see attached)

2.  Green PEA scheme (Simon Harrison and Rachel Sharpe)

Simon Harrison is one of the Directors of Green PEA and provided an introduction to the scheme.

The Green Positive Environmental Action (PEA) scheme has been specifically designed to enable businesses to contribute towards the Local Area carbon reduction targets. It is a voluntary certification scheme designed to encourage businesses and organisations to think about their carbon emissions and then undertake activities in line with expert recommendations.

The Borough of Poole through Involvement with the E.U. Covenant of Mayors, set a target to reduce emissions by 20% by the year 2020. Consequently, the Poole Environmental Partnership was developed along with a number of sub-committees, of which the Business Action Group (BAG) was one. The BAG consists of Poole-based businesses and representatives from the Borough of Poole and the Poole Chamber of Commerce. It was the BAG, in 2013, who devised the concept of Green PEA to help local businesses reduce their energy usage and therefore contribute towards the Borough of Poole's local area carbon reduction target. The take-up from Poole business was so encouraging, and the results so effective, that the Green PEA CIC (Community Interest Company) was formed.

•  Aims to support organisations in reducing energy costs, improving their green credentials, reducing carbon

•  Free to join certification scheme

•  Members: LUSH, Brittany Ferries, Dolphin Indoor Bowls and many smaller independent organisations

The Certification scheme works as follows:

P1 FOUNDATION

Letter of support

Free initial appraisal and energy surveys

P2 IMPROVED

Achieve at least 2 recommendations

P3 ADVANCED

Achieve at least 5 recommendations or staff engagement

P4 DISTINGUISED

10% carbon emissions savings

P5 EXCELLENCE

20% carbon emissions savings including 1 renewable

It takes different lengths of time to progress through the levels.

P1 Foundation level is free and from thereafter it is up to the member to progress.

Green PEA’s delivery partner AVC have a funding offer that members can use to progress through the levels if required: Energy Performance Contract

•  Funding of energy upgrades from energy savings

•  Implementation of energy efficiency or renewable energy project

•  Remuneration is based on demonstrated performance.

•  No lower limits to project costs but payback period must be a maximum of 5 years.

There are 5 Green PEA CICs Directors:

Paul Cooling – Borough of Poole

Jon Cullum – Green Wing UK

Tony Fisher – Switched on Savings

Simon Harrison – Callisto Communications

Anita Potten – Star Consultants

There are a number of delivery partners who deliver a wide range of energy saving services to members. These include:

•  Switched On Savings (Energy Contracts)

•  Greenwing UK (Fuel efficiency magnets)

•  Star Consultants (Telecommunications)

•  LED Zip (Lighting)

•  Save Energy Group (Renewables)

•  Renewergies (Energy efficiency)

•  Workplace Sense (air leakage)

•  Airius Europe (destratification)

•  Hamworthy Heating (heating systems)

•  Climateq (Air conditioning efficiency)

•  Callisto Communications (Marketing)

•  Rugged Data(Paper reducing mobile technology)

Green PEA have also obtained several awards including Green Apple Award, NEF Innovation Award and Regen SW Awards.

Rachel Sharpe (Christchurch and East Dorset Councils) then discussed the Christchurch and East Dorset Scheme. Green PEA was launched in the area in November 2014. Over 30 organisations requested further information and 9 have registered as Green PEA members. Areas being looked into include lighting, new boilers, PV panels and energy procurement. There will be an official launch on 17th June at Dudsbury Golf Course.

Simon then explained that currently there are 42 Green PEA members. Current savings over a ten year period: from installed recommendations, members will save: £108,418 and 519,232kg CO2.

The scheme has set various targets:

Ø  6% of local businesses (720) to achieve excellence by 2020

Ø  Reduction in carbon emissions of 95,200t CO2 by 2020.

Ø  160 Green PEA members by 2016

The scheme are also looking at priority sectors: schools, hotels, GP Surgeries, industrial estates, faith groups and the top 10 consumers (in Poole).

EU funding is also being sought through the Dorset LEP.

For further details about the scheme:

www.greenpeascheme.org.uk

e-mail:

3.  Introducing Green Business Dorset (Lynda Sparks)

Lynda provided an overview of Green Business Dorset which is an E-magazine and supporting E-Newsletter.

In support of environmental management, and encouraging a buy local culture, Green Business Dorset is a dynamic package of e.magazine, e.newsletter and events programme aimed at providing an educational resource and environmental hub for the County.

Green Business Dorset supports businesses with legislation, customer demand, tendering, ISO14001, ESOS etc.

Helping to change purchasing decisions without compromising on quality. Sharing information on reducing your running costs.

Guiding a step by step, affordable approach to sustainability

Further details can be found at www.greenbusinessdorset.co.uk

You can sign up for the newsletter:

Contact: 01202 577 400/

4.  The Printers Environmental Partner (Heather Brewer: J&G Environmental Ltd.)

J&G Environmental Ltd. kindly sponsored the meeting and Heather provided an overview of the services offered by the company.

Blandford-based J&G Environmental are specialists in waste control to the printing industry, providing expertly-managed collection, treatment, disposal and recycling services to thousands of customers throughout England and Wales including many of the UK's leading print houses and newspaper groups. The company forms part of Cleansing Service Group Limited, one of the UK's largest privately-owned waste management groups.

The company started out as Armstrong Enterprises 30 years ago and in 1991 merged with J&G Metals and in 1998 J&G Environmental was formed. The company was purchased by CSG in 2008.

The company have won many awards and has achieved the ISO14001 and 18001 standards. Other awards include the Green Apple award last year (Gold), Investors in People etc. The company are also members of the BPIF (British Printing Industries Federation) and IPIA (Independent Print Industries Association).

The company are also involved in sponsorship, training and education and sponsor the Green Goals project. Dozens of local special interest or community groups have taken the opportunity to access funding of up to £1,000 from the Green Goals Community Fund to kickstart imaginative projects.

Activities have ranged from litter picks to tree and wildflower planting; Climate Week schools workshops to waste recycling, and girls' football coaching to BMX bike maintenance courses

Heather then explained the services offered by J&G which include advice and waste audits. Through CSG they also offer a rapid spill service.

There are currently 15 lorries operated by the company, all drivers are ADR and CPC qualified.

Many waste streams are handled including: Aluminium Litho Plates, Blanket washes/Solvents, Developers/Fixers, Coaters, Fluorescent Tubes, Ink + Cartridges and Tins, Plastic Packaging, WEEE Waste, Cardboard etc.

All liquid waste is sent to their site in Manchester to be treated, there is a plastic wash plant and shredder in Blandford and cardboard is made into JeeGee bedding and sold to stables and equine centres locally. Aluminium litho plates are baled and recycled, Fluorescent tubes and WEEE are taken and processed at other treatment sites.

There is also a take back programme working with suppliers such as Kodak and Hewlett Packard.

In January 2015 the company launched its own range of pres room consumables – JAG Products.

In the future the company want to: Continue to source recycling routes for waste, Continue to promote environmentally friendly waste management, To constantly improve the technical service we provide, Invest in an ongoing training programme, Improve Environmental Awareness.

For further details go to: www.jg-environmental.com

5.  Intelligence Led Enforcement (Ian Percy and John Wiles: Environment Agency)

John explained he would be talking about incident response and enforcement in the EA. John stated that investigations involve:

• Warranted Officers

• Giving the Caution

• PACE Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 Codes A-H

Code B Code of practice for searches of premises

Code E Code of practice on audio recording interviews with suspects.

The EA comply with the Enforcement and Prosecution policy which takes into account the following for any offence:

• Environmental Effect

• Nature of Offence

• Financial Implication

• Impact on Legitimate Business

• Deterrent Effect

• Intent

• History

• Attitude

• Offenders Personal Circumstances

• Foreseeability

Gathering evidence is an important part of an investigation and includes entering premises, taking photos, samples, measurements, seizing items, taking witness statements and interviewing suspected offenders.

John provided information in regard to the equipment the EA use to enable evidence to be gathered i.e. telemetry, water testing kits, taped interviews etc.

John showed some photos of illegal activities including illegal waste transfer stations, illegal elver nets, water pollutions etc.

Ian then explained the change to modernising enforcement and intelligence.

He stressed the importance of evidence having provenance - information that has now been evaluated and put into context. He then explained how the EA record intelligence in order that information can be shared and links forged. There are many intelligence/information sources such as letters, newspapers, google, e-mails, observations etc. Surveillance is another way of gathering evidence.

Some examples of cases were then explained including an illegal waste tyre disposal which involved 6 individuals and 2 companies being interviewed, 5 individuals pleading guilty in court, stopped 96,000 tyres going to Vietnam, the illegal waste activity cost the de-frauded farmer £70,000 in clean up costs, the bank was left to clear 90,000 tyres at £150,000 when the company declared itself bankrupt.

For further information go to: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/environment-agency-enforcement-and-sanctions-statement

6.  Up-Cycling: What a load of rubbish! (Chris Nowell – More Bins)

Chris provided a pictoral history of the development of the collection bins for recyclables. In 1998 bins were borrowed with customised material signage. Workshops were used to create signage at flags as festivals. Chris showed the various innovative ways he has collected recyclables over the years.

In more recent years broken camp chairs and abandoned tents have been part of the waste stream at festivals. These provide very good material to make products from such as tote bags, wallets, poi’s etc. Workshops have been developed and kits so that individuals can make their own recycled items.

Jurabelle was then formed which is an up-cycled quality brand with originality – but sadly it’s not a sustainable option to make these products in this Country and in order to be feasible will need to be manufactured abroad.

Chris still looks for synergies and partnerships for different waste streams.

For further information go to: www.morebins.co.uk

7.  Legislation Update (Tessa Bowering: Environment Agency)

Tessa provided a brief update in regard to:

Hazardous waste

Various changes to the 2005 regulations to commence in June 2015. These will include changes to thresholds for some hazard properties, addition/amendment to a handful of EWC codes and WM2 will become WM3.

The Energy Opportunity Savings Scheme (ESOS)

ESOS is a mandatory energy assessment and energy saving identification scheme which has been introduced by the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC). The scheme operates in 4 yearly compliance phases and organisations or groups will qualify if they have at least one large undertaking on 31 December 2014 (employs over 250 people, has an annual turnover exceeding 50m euros and a balance sheet exceeding 43m euros). The scheme will help organisations recognise energy saving opportunities and help them save money.

Participants will need to complete an assessment unless they are fully covered by ISO 500001: 2011. The assessment must calculate their total energy consumption and identify areas of significant energy consumption. The assessment must be signed off by an approved lead assessor and the EA must be notified (event if covered by ISO 500001: 2011) on GOV.UK between 1 January 2015 and 5 December 2015.

The Isitwaste tool

This is a free easy to use assessment tool that will help businesses check whether a waste or surplus material is a by-product or achieves End-of-Waste status and can be considered product. Further details can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/isitwaste-tool-for-advice-on-the-by-products-and-end-of-waste-tests

Update to some standard rule permits

The EA has proposed a number of changes to SR permits to bring them in line with EU law and introduce new rules on asbestos, fire prevention and metal recycling. 12 SR permits are being updated to reflect the requirements of IED (The Industrial Emissions Directive).

Separate collection of waste paper, plastic, metal and glass

From 1 January 2015 public and private waste collectors must follow the regulation on collecting certain waste stream separately: paper, plastic, glass and metal.

You must collect the 4 waste streams separately if it’s both:

- necessary, to produce high quality recyclates (the necessity test)

- technically, environmentally or economically practicable to do so (the TEEP test)

The EA has the responsibility to see that the legislation is applied.

Collectors are being asked to supply information on current collection methods and the level of compliance will determine the level of intervention. Further details can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/separate-collection-of-waste-paper-plastic-metal-and-glass

8.  Any Other Business

Ø  Tessa informed the group of some free workshops available to business on circular business models. For further details go to CIRCULAR BUSINESS ADVANTAGE WORKSHOPS - start 25th March at Met Office, Exeter

Further details in regard to an offer to business for free in-depth support to develop and financially model circular business ideas can be found at:

Working for WRAP on REBus - circular business models for growth

Ø  Tessa has had a request from another member in regard to Save a Cup in London. If anyone has had dealings please contact Clive at Augusta Westland at

Ø  Tessa reminded the group of the Producer Responsibility Events that are being held in Wimborne on 25th March and in Taunton on 30th March. For further details contact Tessa at

Ø  Anna Frizzell (RNLI) briefly mentioned the decommissioning that is currently underway on a number of lifeboats. For further details contact Anna at

9.  Date and Venue of next meeting: Wednesday 17th June 2015, Merley House near Wimborne