Green business

Bedfordshire has developed a strong tradition of green business. Whether this involves the development of products offering environmentally-friendly solutions or simply the implementation of procedures to reduce your carbon footprint, businesses in Bedfordshire are reacting to the need to address environmental concerns. 

Bedfordshire County Council supports a number of schemes that can assist your business in reducing its environmental impact.

Green Business Award

Bedfordshire County Council sponsor the Green Business award at the Bedfordshire & Luton Business Excellence Awards 2008.

The Green Business Award is open to all businesses who have shown outstanding concern for environmental issues and who have taken a lead in introducing innovative sustainable measures into their activities.

The closing date for entering your business for this award is Wednesday 8th October. Entry forms and further details can be found online on the Rising Stars| (new window)website.  

Green Business Network

The Green Business Network| (new window) provides an array of services to help businesses navigate increasing levels of environmental legislation.  This includes a series of annual seminars on a variety of environmental concerns and how business can best react to address these issues.  The GBN also provides direct guidance on compliance with environmental legislative measures and training programmes to help improve your environmental management and resource efficiency systems.

Save Energy with the Resource Efficiency Club

The Green Business Network has re-launched the Bedfordshire Resource Efficiency Club to aid businesses under pressure from rising energy and fuel costs.

Sponsored by Bedfordshire County Council, the REC offers the business community support on how best to manage their resources and maximise the savings these efficiencies can achieve.

Contact the Green Business Network

Tel: 07792 480986
Email: info@gbn-bedfordshire.org.uk|

Bedfordshire Waste Exchange

The Bedfordshire Waste Exchange| (new window) is a materials exchange programme supporting businesses looking to exchange their surplus materials rather than send them to landfill.

The Bedfordshire Waste Exchange programme has been highly successful to date, and in the past year has diverted close to 1,000 tons of waste from landfill and achieved a cost saving to Bedfordshire businesses in excess of £100,000.

Businesses can dispose of a variety of materials through the Bedfordshire Waste Exchange, including furniture, building materials, plant equipment and textiles.

Contact the Bedfordshire Waste Exchange by:

Tel: (01799) 524328
Email: clare.boddy@eastex.org.uk|

The Bedfordshire Waste Exchange is part of the regional EastEx programme, providing a waste exchange for the East of England sub-region.

The Bedfordshire & Luton Sustainable Business Partnership| (new window) provides a wealth of information on the key government organisations and other bodies available to assist businesses looking to improve their sustainable practices.   

NetRegs

NetRegs Is the primary trusted source of guidance on environmental legislation for businesses in the UK.  It provides free, clear guidance for different business types on how to comply with environmental legislation.

You can:

• receive regular updates on environmental legislation by signing up for free email alerts
• use the onlinequestionnaire to assess your environmental compliance
• find your nearest authorised waste contractor or recycling facility by using the online Waste Directory

NetRegs| (new window) is a partnership between the Environment Agency in England and Wales, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency and the Environment and Heritage Service in Northern Ireland.

Using NetRegs will help you protect your business reputation, save money and avoid prosecution.

Don't forget to check the NetRegs Waste Directory| (new window) and access the web page to Assess your environmental compliance| (new window).