Posts Tagged ‘Business’
The Benefits Of Social Business Enterprises
May 17, 2012 | 
Author Social business enterprise refers to a company that does not focus on giving dividends or maximizes on profits. Its main objective is to meet a given social need. Any money that the company gets through its day to day activities or through funding is used to expand research findings and to provide solutions to the problem that the company seeks to address. Investors who put their money in such companies, as earlier mentioned, are not entitled to any dividends, but instead the returns on the investments are recouped and ploughed back into the company.
Some of the social needs that such companies address are healthcare for the less fortunate people in society, financial services for those who cannot afford, nutrition for the not-so-well fed individuals and also providing safe drinking water for people living in unhygienic and unsafe places. The sustainability of social business enterprises clearly indicates that the company is in business and doing well.
The key requirements for these companies have been captured in three main points. The first one being social responsibility. For a company to qualify as a social business enterprise, it must be prepared to meet a specific social goal, by identifying a need to be addresses and putting up a plan on how to meet the need. The second requirement states that the company must be based on a non-profit distribution. This means that investors must not take any dividends or share in any profits.
Thirdly, the company must have the poor people in mind. Infact, it could be owned by the poor. This ensures that the objectives of the company are tailored accordingly and they are specific to where the need bites most, as the owners express the need.
How Can ISO 14001 Benefit My Business?
Environmental Issues are now of paramount consideration by company directors, owners and employees worldwide.
Since the 14001 EMS includes everyone in the organization and all areas of the organization that affect the environment, it can improve an organization’s environmental performance in many ways. This improved performance comes at a cost to the organization, a cost which can be recovered by aggressively seeking benefits.
Some of those benefits are as follows:
All environmental policies and procedures are now in the same format
All documents are now more accessible to employees so compliance has improved
Regularly scheduled EMS reviews are ensuring both legal and ethical obligations are met in a timely fashion.
Increased Profits
The quantity of materials and energy required for manufacturing a product may be reduced, thereby reducing the cost of the product, material handling costs, and waste disposal costs.
An EMS can help reduce incidents of pollution and the associated expense of recovery.
Recycling manufacturing waste and unused inputs could increase revenues. Recycling need not be within the same facility, but with another one that can use the waste as input to their production.
Employee health and safety can be improved, thereby improving productivity, decreasing sick days, and reducing insurable risk.
Insurance claims may be reduced, thus reducing the costs of coverage and settlements.
This is just a sample of the benefits available to business; the list of benefits and potential benefits is considerably larger.
Posted in Carbon accounting, carbon emissions, Carbon footprint, Carbon management, carbon reduction, Carbon Reduction Commitment, Climate Change, CO2, CSR, Environmental accounting, Footprint, ghg emissions, Iso14001, Social Responsibility | 
Tags: Benefits, Business, carbon reduction, Change, Climate, Corporate, CSR, EMS, Enterprise, Environment, ENVIRONMENTAL, environmental management system, Global, Green, Greenhouse, ISO 14001, Management, Money, Social, Social Responsibility, Solutions | 
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Importance Of Csr And Business Ethics
1. Importance of CSR and Business Ethics
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and business ethics have grown considerably in developed and developing countries over the past decades. The CSR and Business Ethics are concerned about the caring the human beings and its society. Because of this, CSR has emerged as an unavoidable concerned to the leaders of every nations. Still efficiency could not be gained as targeted.
The growing importance of business ethics and CSR in recent years has helped in “promoting the human rights in China” and it can be important to raise the interest “awareness on corporate, labour, social and environmental practices” as per Backgrounder (2008). This is the reason why the Communist Party enacted the Labour contract Law in 2008 in order to provide minimum protections to workers.
Development of human rights, labour standards, environment and anti-corruption is essential elements in business as stated in the “10 Principles in Business Activities” by the UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan at the World Economic Forum on January 31, 1999.
Corporate Social Responsibility along with business ethics plays significant roles in the success and failure of the business. CSR plays an important role in forecasting and decisions making. Kitzmueller (2008) focus on the CSR as an essential building block of the firm’s strategy. The study further added that the investors based their investment decisions not only on financial but also on social and environmental performance criteria. The importance of CRS is gradually rising day by day and general people are more aware on this issue.
2. Political Perspective of CSR
The need of CSR is rising from the past decades. The people who share the power at top level are gradually taking the issue of CSR in their interest. Each and every responsible people including stakeholders, government are taking the various issues of corporate social responsibilities in a serious way. Political and business people are doing it for their own interest and prospects.
According to UN (2007), “The concept of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) aims both to examine the role of business in society and to maximize the positive social outcomes of business activities.” The study further made analysis on the why developing country governments should be interested in CSR. The study made analysis on two reasons for low income countries to engage for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). They are “defensive and proactive justifications which are not mutually exclusive”. Defensive justification is more related to minimizing the adverse effect of CSR on local communities, environments and markets. The study further deals on the example of Vietnamese garment and footwear industries on increasing national competitiveness through improved CSR practice. Vietnamese Chamber of Commerce and Industries (VCCI) provide the CSR support trainings on CSR skills and practices as a result the company is able to receive the Corporate Social Responsibility Award 2006. The study gave more focus on the importance of government to provide CSR training to its companies to increase its competitiveness because the foreign investors basically bring the expertise knowledge with them from the abroad. It is necessary for the local companies to compete them.
United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) has been working in the field of CSR especially for developing countries. The organization is contributing to make the individual and cluster companies of developing countries to compete with foreign multinational companies in the field of CSR. UNIDO (2006) says, “CSR has frequently been misleadingly equated simply with ‘corporate philanthropy’ and ‘charitable giving’, which in turn are often separate from their core business and without an underlying strategic plan behind it”
There are many cases where that the CSR has failed in recent days. Despite of positive views, there are alternative views that show CSR policies have no real impact on society and people. The political systems and business man are just bringing the new issues to highlight themselves and coming to the media and among the people. The study of Gill (2007) made criticism on CSR as “ill defined”. The study focused on the lack of validity for measuring the CSR. The studies of Doane (2005, cited Gill 2007) view CSR by stating the “political complexities”. The study further states CSR as a “myth” and argues on the corporate moral obligations and licence given to operate the business by the political parties. This shows that the CSR can harm the societies by creating the competition among the business houses. This leads to negative effect on society and corporate governance due to the lack of transparency on “corporate decisions, social activities and policies” as per Crane and Matten (2007).
3. Debates on Corporate Social Responsibilities
CSR holds many issues of debates. Different organizations and environmental rating agencies are keeping more records and track on the issues that the organizations and political parties are making. Most debates are more concerned about the transparency policy of the organizations. CSR has become a tool for defending the competitors.
On the other hand, government is no more proactive like in the past. The study of Ascoli (2009) explains that the government involvement is increased when a global economic crisis took place. The study focused on sign of more “good governance” in CSR practices.
In the words of Ascoli (2009), “Government led CSR promotion faces several challenges” The study states that the effort for promoting CSR for the companies as a volunteering action do not guarantee proper implementation.
It is hard to match the interest between the general public and private organization as the CSR the managers have to focus on attaining a balance between the stakeholders and strategic planning. It is sometimes debated by the organization that the private sector should purely involve in profit maximization and government should only think about the social and environmental issues.
United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) has been working in the field of CSR especially for developing countries. The organization is contributing to make the individual and cluster companies of developing countries to compete with foreign multinational companies in the field of CSR. UNIDO (2006) says, “CSR has frequently been misleadingly equated simply with ‘corporate philanthropy’ and ‘charitable giving’, which in turn are often separate from their core business and without an underlying strategic plan behind it”
4. The Responses of Companies to CSR
The ample of studies and research works on CSR show that the companies and politicians are positive towards the CSR. They are forced to adopt the policies of CSR for defensive reason in order to be secured in the market. CSR clearly impacts our corporations, society, and educational organizations. It provides a powerful driver for continual efficiency across the national boundaries.
Each and every activity that the organization does can have the ripple effect. The company should take account of such effects and work for the mutual benefits of the two parties. The Figure 1 shows the detail analysis of Ripple Effect as suggested by Marsden and Andriof (1998, cited Zappla 2003).
The Coca-Cola Company claims that they are concerned about the business ethics and CSR. The company has published the 2006 reports stating that the water use ratio has been decreased than the previous years. The company has given more focus on the environmental issues by stating the use of waste water after proper treatment. The company is also proud to announce the refillable packaging system. For this it has already opened the recycling plant in Austria. During the economic crisis, usually firm are ready to help the people and communities on growth and welfare in the sake of creating future customers. Coca-Cola companies is doing this for creating the values for stakeholders and societies by bring new concept like “Going Green”.
Governmental organizations are increasingly focusing their attention on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) practices. According to Maloni (2006), “CSR continues to evolve in practice, and its reach now often extends to supply chain partners including suppliers, customers, and logistics providers.” The study gave the example of failure of CSR adopted NIKE regarding the “sweatshop labor issues and its overseas suppliers.”
5. Conclusion
CSR, due to social activities, much attention is given. It enables political and business people to acquire the targeted result quickly. It has become the tool for future prospects of different groups that facilitates receiving the fame in near future.
In underdeveloped and developed countries the growth of CSR has been widespread in recent times. Despite of the controversies, the political elite of the world are continuingly raising the issue of CSR stating the important implications for economic activities although they fail themselves. They are selling the policies for popularity. A study by Hertz (2001 cited Crane and Matten 2007) and Smith (1990 cited Crane and Matten 1997 ) argued that there is more power in individual choice as a consumer than in their choice in the ballot box and consumption choices are for “purchase votes” in the public control of corporations.
Business Carbon offsetting for healthy future
Global warming is more than a hot-button issue these days as the quality of our air continues to decrease. As carbon dioxide (CO2) is a normal part of the air, but it’s also one of the major greenhouse gases. At normal levels, CO2 traps some heat in the earth’s atmosphere and lets some escape. (This process is known as the greenhouse effect.) But high levels of CO2 and other greenhouse gases trap too much heat in the earth’s atmosphere, causing global warming. Scientific investigations over many decades point to human activity as the primary cause of global warming because humans need energy for just about any type of function they perform. Burning fossil fuels as a natural energy resource leads to the emission of vast quantities of carbon dioxide gas (CO2), which is considered a major cause of global warming.
As we all are responsible for global warming and each of us contributes to climate change with our daily activities; businesses cause more carbon footprints by using a great deal of energy. Total amount of greenhouse gases produced to support a business, includes those caused by direct and indirect emissions. Direct emissions are emissions from sources that a company owns or controls such as vehicle fleets or natural-gas fired boilers. Indirect emissions are a consequence of actions at a business, but occur at sources owned or operated by another company such as emissions associated with electricity, heat and/or steam use. The challenge of dealing with the impact of carbon emissions is an area that has been long overlooked by the global community.
Because businesses play an important role in climate change, they should be aware about their carbon footprints. A starting point for addressing the carbon footprint of business operations is to assess current carbon emissions. It is important to measure your business’s carbon footprint because if you cannot measure it, you cannot change it! By reducing your company’s consumption of electricity, fuel and resources like paper; you can reduce your greenhouse gas emissions. Another option to address the carbon footprint of business operations without making any of the changes your resources is to purchase carbon offset credits. These credits are an investment in environmentally friendly projects, such as tree planting projects, and are a form of compensation to the environment for the harm caused by business operations.
Reducing emissions can benefit your business in many ways, including reducing costs, boosting your market positioning and branding, and improving efficiency and competitiveness. Your efforts to reduce your organization’s carbon emissions will also demonstrate a real commitment to environmental responsibility. Business has the power to change the world – and you have the power to change business. As an employer it’s your responsibility to estimate Carbon Footprint of your business to reduce CO2 emissions and ensure healthy future for your employees and coming generations. You should take your step towards carbon offsetting as quickly as possible to avert the most damage.Business carbon offsets gives you the power to reduce your carbon emissions by making your business “carbon neutral”.
Posted in Carbon accounting | Tags: Business, Carbon Accounting, Future, healthy, offsetting | No Comments »
WEEE Recycling: Data Destruction is Essential
Your company data may no longer be of value to you once you have done what you need to do with it, but it is gold dust to your competitors. That is why any media, from paper to Flash memory cards, that contains business data must be thoroughly wiped before disposal.
The risks of disposal of disks containing data that you may believe has been wiped but has really just been lightly erased include putting yourself or your customers at risk for identity theft as well as making data available to unscrupulous individuals. Even recycling a computer to comply with WEEE recycling regulations does not include proper data destruction techniques.
These techniques include degaussing, in which magnetic patterns that conform to actual data are realigned so that the data is unreadable and unrecoverable, shredding, which entails shredding media into very fine bits that cannot be reassembled, and software wiping, in which all HEX values on the entire volume of a disk are overwritten using special software. In the United kingdom, such software must meet Data protection Act standards to be considered effective for data destruction.
Computers, including internal hard disk drives and other internal media storage devices, must be recycled according to WEEE regulations (EU). However, if data remains available on any part of the device before, during or after WEEE recycling procedures, it still poses a threat to your company security. Therefore, devices that hold data and are subject to WEEE recycling regulations must undergo a thorough process of data destruction before recycling should take place.
Hard drive destruction is absolutely imperative before WEEE recycling can start. This is because even when a disk drive is seemingly erased, the information on it can be recovered and made available without your knowledge. Ensuring that an expert with security cleared personnel destroys the hard drive by methods such as degaussing and shredding is the only way you can be sure that any data that was ever available on a drive that is slated for disposal can never be accessed again. Software wiping is recommended only for hard disk drives that will be reused after the data stored on them is fully destroyed.
Media tape drives are also easily accessible if they are not fully and professionally destroyed prior to disposal. Degaussing and shredding are the most recommended techniques for destruction of media tape drives.
Even CD’s and DVD’s which contain sensitive and confidential data should never be disposed of without making the data completely inaccessible. Complete physical destruction of the media through precision shredding that is offered by professional media disposal firms is the only way to ensure that data on a CD or DVD is fully inaccessible.
Flash memory cards, external memory sticks, and similar devices must also be subject to data destruction measures if they have ever held sensitive data. A specialist firm which handles data destruction should be consulted regarding such memory devices as their small size makes it very easy for them to end up in the wrong hands.
At Be Seen Go Green, we offer solutions for a variety of Environmental issues. Please click on the following link to contact us.
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Glasgow WEEE Recycling
What is WEEE?
The Waste Electrical or Electronic Equipment Directive requires countries to improve separate collection and environmentally friendly processing of these items. In the UK, distributors (including retailers) must provide a system which allows all customers buying new electronic equipment the ability to recycle their old items free of charge. Those distributors must either join or set up their own take back scheme and must as a minimum offer all customers buying new electronic equipment free take back of their old electronics on a like-for-like basis.
Look for the “You can now recycle your old electricals with us” If you can’t see this take your business elsewhere.
There is so much talk these days about WEEE Recycling. But what is it exactly?
Why recycle?
End of life electrical equipment is the UKs fastest growing type of waste.
Many electronic items can be repaired or recycled, saving resources and the environment. If you do not recycle, Waste electrical& Electronic Equipment will end up in landfill where hazardous substances will leak out and cause soil and water contamination – harming wildlife and also human health.
To remind you that old electrical equipment can be recycled, it is now marked with a crossed-out wheeled bin symbol. Please do not throw any electrical equipment (including those marked with this symbol) in your bin
Types of WEEE
1. Large household appliances
Large cooling appliances, Refrigerators, Freezers, Other large appliances used for refrigeration, conservation and storage of food, Washing machines, Clothes dryers, Dish washing machines, Cooking, Electric stoves, Electric hot plates, Microwaves, Other large appliances used for cooking and other processing of food, Electric heating appliances, Electric radiators, Other large appliances for heating rooms, beds, seating furniture, Electric fans, Air conditioner appliances, Other fanning, exhaust ventilation and conditioning equipment
2. Small household appliances
Vacuum cleaners, Carpet sweepers, Other appliances for cleaning, Appliances used for sewing, knitting, weaving and other processing for textiles, Irons and other appliances for ironing, mangling and other care of clothing, Toasters, Fryers, Grinders, coffee machines and equipment for opening or sealing containers or packages, Electric knives, Appliances for hair-cutting, hair drying, tooth brushing, shaving, massage and other body care appliances, Clocks, watches and equipment for the purpose of measuring, indicating or registering time, Scales
3. IT and telecommunications equipment
Centralised data processing: Mainframes, Minicomputers, Printer units, Personal computing: Personal computers (CPU, mouse, screen and keyboard included), Laptop computers (CPU, mouse, screen and keyboard included), Notebook computers, Notepad computers, Printers, Copying equipment, Electrical and electronic typewriters, Pocket and desk calculators, Other products and equipment for the collection, storage, processing, presentation or communication of information by electronic means, User terminals and systems, Facsimile, Telex, Telephones, Pay telephones, Cordless telephones, Cellular telephones, Answering systems, Other products or equipment of transmitting sound, images or other information by telecommunications
4. Consumer equipment
Radio sets, Television sets, Video cameras, Video recorders, Hi-fi recorders, Audio amplifiers, Musical instruments, Other products or equipment for the purpose of recording or reproducing sound or images, including signals or other technologies for the distribution of sound and image than by telecommunications
5. Lighting equipment
Luminaries for fluorescent lamps with the exception of luminaires in households, Straight fluorescent lamps, Compact fluorescent lamps, High intensity discharge lamps, including pressure sodium lamps and metal halide lamps, Low pressure sodium lamps, Other lighting or equipment for the purpose of spreading or controlling light with the exception of filament bulbs
6. Electrical and electronic tools (with the exception of large-scale stationary industrial tools)
Drills, Saws, Sewing machines, Equipment for turning, milling, sanding, grinding, sawing, cutting, shearing, drilling, making holes, punching, folding, bending or similar processing of wood, metal and other materials, Tools for riveting, nailing or screwing or removing rivets, nails, screws or similar uses, Tools for welding, soldering or similar use, Equipment for spraying, spreading, dispersing or other treatment of liquid or gaseous substances by other means, Tools for mowing or other gardening activities
7. Toys, leisure and sports equipment
Electric trains or car racing sets, Hand-held video game consoles, Video games, Computers for biking, diving, running and rowing, Sports equipment with electric or electronic components, Coin slot machines,
8. Medical devices (with the exception of all implanted and infected products)
Radiotherapy equipment, Cardiology, Dialysis, Pulmonary ventilators, Nuclear medicine, Laboratory equipment for in-vitro diagnosis, Analysers, Freezers, Fertilization tests, Other appliances for detecting, preventing, monitoring, treating, alleviating illness, injury or disability
9. Monitoring and control instruments
Smoke detector, Heating regulators, Thermostats, Measuring, weighing or adjusting appliances for household or laboratory equipment, Other monitoring and control instruments used in industrial installations (for example, in control panels)
10. Automatic dispensers
Automatic dispensers for hot drinks, Automatic dispensers for hot or cold bottles or cans, Automatic dispensers for solid products, Automatic dispensers for money, All appliances which deliver automatically all kind of products.
At Be Seen Go Green, we offer solutions for a variety of Environmental issues. To find out more on WEEE Please click on the following link to contact us.
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The CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme – A Review
We are now well on the road to the end of the first year of the CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme.
We’ve had the scare stories, the organisations failing to register, or fewer organisations registering than were first thought. Early estimates from the Government suggested 5000 plus organisations would be full participants with a further 20,000 as information disclosures.
We’ve had over 3,700 full participants register, what does this tell us?
For me, based on my research, it tells me that a lot of organisations were confused as to what they needed to do. For example, a car dealership, an example Defra used in their literature, if that dealership was a single franchise, SEAT for example, then if a single SEAT dealer anywhere else in the UK had a half hour meter then ALL SEAT dealerships and SEAT companies were in, under the banner of SEAT, who had the responsibility of collating this information. That’s nice and simple, until you then look at if that same dealership had say SEAT and VW at the same premises, they’re out? Add to that the ability to register independently so the SEAT brand did not have to account for everything that traded under its name . . . confused . . . therein lies the problem!
At least the Con/Dem co-alition government has pushed back the full implementation of phase 1 of the CRC by 12 months, the same for Phase 2.They are also looking at making the scheme simpler, firstly by making it a Tax, no payments from the pot for those that reduce emissions the most, Good or Bad?
For me it’s a bit of good and bad, organisations no longer being rewarded for reducing emissions will need to find some other motivation to reduce emissions! The good side is that it is giving these organisation more time to get to grips with the scheme, however, as experience has shown, a lot of organisation left it to the last minute before registering for the CRC, will they do the same again?
Initially Phase 1 reporting is primarily about Scope 1 & 2 emissions, Scope 1 being based on energy you produce, for example if you had a wind turbine and selling electricity back to the grid, Scope 2 is for energy you purchase.
However Phase 2 of the CRC is interesting, as it suggests that Scope 3 emissions will be included in a company’s declaration, a good way of introducing mandatory emissions reporting for all via the back door. Scope 3 covers everything from Travel to Suppliers.
If we look at suppliers for a large organisation, this could easily be in the thousands, a local authority I recently met with, have in excess of 5000 suppliers, under phase 2 they will need to liaise with all 5000, collate the emissions data for those 5000 and submit under the local authorities umbrella.
This will be an administrative nightmare for the unprepared, both the supplier and the large organisation. This will mean that for those who tender for work from larger organisations it will no longer be just a tick box exercise for environmental policy, such as ISO14001, it will be a detailed report on emissions and those not able to submit such a report, will ultimately, not win any business.
At Be Seen Go Green, we offer solutions for a variety of Environmental issues. Please click on the following link to contact us.
Posted in Carbon accounting, carbon emissions, Carbon footprint, Carbon management, carbon reduction, Carbon Reduction Commitment, Climate Change, CO2, CRC, CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme, CSR, Edinburgh CRC, Energy, Environmental accounting, Footprint, ghg emissions, Glasgow CRC, Global Warming, Iso14001, London CRC, UK CRC | Tags: Business, carbon reduction, Change, Climate, Corporate, Edinburgh CRC, edinburgh recycle, Efficiency, Emissions, Energy, Enterprise, Environment, ENVIRONMENTAL, Footprint, Glasgow CRC, Greenhouse, London CRC, Management, Power, Reducing, Renewable, Responsibility, Social, the CRC energy efficiency Scheme, UK CRC, warming | No Comments »
UK Must cut Emissions By 60%
The Committee on Climate Change has called on the UK to reduce its emissions by 60% compared to 1990 levels over the next twenty years.
In its report ‘The Fourth Carbon Budget – Reducing emissions through the 2020s’ the committee puts the case for creating a new marker in the battle to cut emissions.
Currently most targets are aimed at cuts on 1990 emissions levels before 2050. But to drive the fight against climate change the committee suggests a plan as part of a carbon budget for 2023 to 2027 and a target for emissions reductions in 2030, which would be halfway between now and 2050.
The recommended target for 2030 is to cut emissions by 60% relative to 1990 levels, or 46% relative to current levels, which needs a 62% emissions reduction from 2030 to meet the 2050 target in Britain’s Climate Change Act.
The committee estimates the recommended target can be achieved at a cost of less than 1% of our Gross Domestic Product (GDP), or as it states in the report ‘a fraction of one year’s growth’ over the next two decades.
It also backs that new carbon budgets should be legislated by summer 2011, as required under the Climate Change Act.
Committee on Climate Change chair said: “We are recommending a stretching but realistic fourth carbon budget and 2030 target, achievable at a cost of less than 1% of GDP. “Any less ambition would not be compatible with the 2050 target in the Climate Change Act. “We therefore urge the Government to legislate the budget we have recommended, and to develop the policies required to cut emissions over the next two decades. “The case for action on climate change is as strong as ever: climate science remains robust and suggests that there are very significant risks if we do not cut emissions. And countries acting now will gain economic benefits in an increasingly carbon constrained world.”
The CBI’s director of business environment, backed the new 2030 target. He said: “We support the UK’s existing climate change targets for 2020 and 2050 and businesses are already taking steps to measure and reduce their emissions. “The Committee’s proposal for an extra staging post at 2030 could provide additional clarity for investors, but the feasibility of the proposed target would need to be examined in detail. “Investors will only commit to low-carbon projects if they are confident about the policy framework in the long-term. “The Government’s forthcoming announcements on reform of the electricity market and work to simplify the Carbon Reduction Commitment will be crucial tests.”
At Be Seen Go Green, we offer solutions for a variety of Environmental issues. Please click on the following link to contact us.
Posted in Carbon accounting, carbon emissions, Carbon footprint, Carbon management, carbon reduction, Climate Change, CO2, CRC, CSR, Energy, Environmental accounting, Footprint, ghg emissions | Tags: Business, carbon accounting, carbon emsissions, carbon measurement, carbon reduction, carbon reduction committment, Change, Climate, CO2 reduction, Corporate, CRC, CRC energy efficiency scheme, edinburgh recycle, Efficiency, electrical waste recycling, Emissions, emissions reduction, emissions reporting, Energy, energy efficiency, Enterprise, Environment, ENVIRONMENTAL, Footprint, ghg, Green, green house gases, London, London emsissions, Renewable, warming | No Comments »
Increased fine for Company Charged with breaching waste regulations
A FIRM who broke waste dumping laws had their fine increased more than 11 times to £90,000 recently.
The Court of Criminal Appeal in Edinburgh upheld a challenge brought by the Crown over the level of the sentence imposed on Doonin Plant.
They were originally fined just £8000 for breaking environmental laws as they dumped waste at Bardykes bing between Blantyre and Cambuslang, Lanarkshire.
Lord Clarke said the conduct of the company had involved “a blatant and complacent disregard” of its responsibilities.
The judges said they were satisfied that the original fine was unduly lenient.
(source Daily Record)
Could this be just the start of increased fines for companies flouting the environmental regulations?
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New Plastic Recycling Discovery!
A new method has been devised to recycle plastic which would normally end up in landfill.
At persent approximately 12% of plastic found in household plastic and packaging is currently processed.
Now, however, a process has been developbed by Warwick University which could mean 100% of this type is waste can be recycled.
Municipal plastic solid waste is often too time-consuming and labour intensive to separate and clean and ends up going straight to landfill rather than being recycled.
Engineers at the University have invented a process that can cope with every piece of plastic waste and can even break some polymers, such as polystyrene, back down to its original monomers.
The researchers have devised a unit which uses pyrolysis (using heat in the absence of oxygen to decompose of materials) in a ‘fluidised bed’ reactor.
Tests have shown that the researchers have been able to literally shovel in to such a reactor a wide range of mixed plastics, which can then be reduced down to useful products. Many of these products can then be retrieved by simple distillation.
The products the Warwick team have been able to reclaim from the plastic mix include: wax that can be then used a lubricant; original monomers such as styrene that can be used to make new polystyrene; terephthalic acid which can be reused in PET plastic products, methylmetacrylate that can be used to make acrylic sheets, carbon which can be used as Carbon Black in paint pigments and tyres, and even the char left at the end of some of the reactions can be sold to use as activated carbon at a value of at least £400 a tonne.
This research could have a significant impact on the budgets of local authorities and produce considerable environmental benefits.
The lead researcher on the project, University of Warwick Engineering Professor Jan Baeyens, said:
“We envisage a typical large scale plant having an average capacity of 10,000 tonnes of plastic waste per year.
“In a year tankers would take away from each plant over £5 million worth of recycled chemicals and each plant would save £500,000 a year in land fill taxes alone.
“As the expected energy costs for each large plant would only be in the region of £50,000 a year the system will be commercially very attractive and give a rapid payback on capital and running costs.”
The work will be of great interest to local authorities and waste disposal companies who could use the technology to create large scale reactor units at municipal tips which would produce tanker loads of reusable material.
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