In the first of our series focusing on lesser known legal requirements, we will have a look at the Waste Hierarchy. if you want to understand more about your environmental legal requirements, why not attend the SBEN Legislation Update in February 2020, or give us a call on 01902 771 311 for a discussion.
The Government is currently consulting on the design of a new tax on the production and import of plastic packaging which contains less than 30% recycled content. The aim of the tax is to make plastic packaging a more cost effective option than new plastic. It is proposed that the tax will be introduced before…
Aarti Chamba In February, I attended an enlightening talk on natural capital presented by Nick Grayson at WSP. Nick demonstrated the impact small changes in our environment can have and the capacity at which they can negatively affect the earth’s ecosystem. The term refers to the earth’s ‘natural’ assets such as soil, air, water and…
By Judith Dix (Environmental Consultant and Trainer at ESP Ltd) I’d like to thank all of the delegates who came out to take part in the 2019 SBEN Environmental Legislation Update Event at the gorgeous Rodbaston Hall in Staffordshire. This is the second year in a row I have run this event and, though nerve-wracking,…
Recently, it came to our attention that a client had suffered a fire at inside their property due to waste self-combusting over night during the summer. When the client tried to claim for the damage caused, their insurers directed them to a clause within their contents insurance that stated that waste had to be removed…
In December 2018, we were very excited to hear that the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority planning committee resolved to grant planning consent for the deepening of Swinden Quarry (subject to a S106 agreement). ESP conducted the Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment (LVIA) for this project. Swinden Quarry, near Cracoe in North Yorkshire, has developed…
How does a person who is going to book onto an environmental course distinguish between just a training company and one that is: Professional Has a background in environmental expertise Can assure good value? All of these qualities can be achieved by booking with an “IEMA Training Centre”. To provide high standards of quality…
An environmental management system (EMS) is a formal framework for improving environmental performance, managing risk and providing thought-out processes for efficient and leaner operations. When being proactive about management, the right thing for the environment doesn’t have to be the wrong thing for a business. An EMS is a powerful tool for reducing waste, energy,…
ESP has been the perfect stepping stone towards fulfilling my career aspiration of becoming a Chartered Urban Planner since graduating from the University of Leicester with a 2.1 Honours Degree in Geography. Studying a Bachelor of Arts degree, I considered specialising in urban development and attained a place at the University of Birmingham in the…
As of April 2019, companies who hire a minimum of 250 employees or exceed an annual income of £360m and an annual balance sheet of £18m are legally required to announce their energy usage and carbon emissions. The Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting (SECR) regulations have been designed to simplify carbon and energy reporting…
31st October 2017 We are very pleased to announce that Karen Brewer has joined our Environment Team as our Principal Quality Consultant. Karen is a highly experienced and competent consultant and auditor, with over 30 years experience of quality management in a local housing group. Karen has been an associate for ESP for several years,…
15th June 2017 ESP is proud to welcome our Environment and Landscape Assistant for 2017-2018, Keren Bucknall. Keren is studying BSc Geography at Coventry University and will be assisting both our landscape and environmental departments through a variety of projects over the coming year.
9th February 2017 This month we are pleased to welcome Judith Dix to our team. Judith has an MSc in Environmental Consultancy and a BSc in Geology, as well as experience in the waste and minerals sectors. She joins the team to manage business development for ESP, cultivating opportunities and partnerships to support our Landscape and Environmental departments.
ESP has been working closely alongside Wedgwood who have been aiming to achieve ISO 14001:2015 and are proud to congratulate them on achieving their goal. This month, Wedgwood officially became ISO 14001:2015 certified and as such, can call their company environmentally friendly and save on running costs. Due to the scale of Wedgwood being a prestigious,…
The revision of ISO 14001 in September 2015 provides an opportunity for organisations to further enhance environmental and sustainability performance. This one day course is specially designed for experienced environmental management systems (EMS) auditors, both internal and external, so they are able to undertake effective EMS audits. This will help organisations achieve the full benefits of…
28th September 2016 Staffordshire Business Environmental Network (SBEN) has launched the ‘Low Carbon Business Evolution Programme’ (LCBEP) which is designed to help businesses across Stoke on Trent and Staffordshire reduce their carbon footprint and increase energy efficiency. The project is part funded by the ERDF programme and delivered by Staffordshire County Council in partnership with…
The course, which covers everything from environmental risk to the opportunities of energy efficiency measures, is run through City & Guilds, with the help of Andrew Fletcher from partner organisation, Environmental Solutions through Partnership (ESP). The launch of the course has been described by industry experts as “a game-changer for sustainable business and a sustainable economy, reportedGreener Business. The…
The ESP designed shceme at Ardley recently won the Overall Winner of the Innovation category in the MPA Biodiversity Awards for the work in partnership with Smiths Bletchington. DEFRA Minister, Lord de Mauley, praised members of the Mineral Products Association (MPA) for their valuable contribution to nature conservation at MPA’s prestigious Restoration and Biodiversity Awards at the Royal Society…
This 62 page e-book is a concise and thoughtful explanation as to how sustainable behaviour can be achieved in households, whilst commuting and within organisations. Its chapters take you through a considered thought process, and by doing so, gives the reader an understanding as to why sustainability is not adopted, on the whole, intrinsically as a…
The briefing will explain how a certified EMS can create efficiency savings and drivenvironmental performance in social housing organisations. A key feature of the event will be a business case presentation on ISO 14001 from Sandwell MBC, as well as insights into certification from SGS. The event will be held on Friday 7th June 2013 at Wolverhampton Science…
A survey of 100 firms by certification body NQA has revealed that working towards ISO 14001 certification helps organisations to cut costs by encouraging them to be more resource efficient. More than 80% of those surveyed confirm that they have benefited financially from actions to certify their environmental management system (EMS), including introducing recycling regimes, improving…
Plan for the Planet looks at the Global threats to the planet and advocates the use of an interconnective plan to address these issues – wow! The attention to detail that the authors have taken in describing the mechanism of the plan and then how government, business and people can take part in the plan…
There are many ways of becoming a Chartered Environmentalist through a diverse array of “environmental” Institutions all licensed to award CEnv by the Society for the Environment. This is a guide through one of the application process’ via the Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management (CIWEM). The e-book is a very easy read and…
ESP (Environmental Solutions through Partnership), the Environmental Consultancy based at Wolverhampton Science Park, is celebrating two events. Firstly, the Company has been shortlisted in the “Best Sustainable Consultancy of the Year” category at the National Inside Housing Sustainable Housing Awards to take place on the 21st October. Secondly, John Sharpe, the experienced leader of Environmental…
ESP are proud to announce that Sandwell Homes have been nominated for an EMAS award as the UK representative in recognition for the work they have carried out on resource efficiency in the Large Public Administration Category. The European EMAS Awards is the most prestigious award in environmental management and has been handed to top companies and…
Sandwell Homes has improved on their success of gaining 27th place in the 2009 Best Green Companies Award by gaining 21st place in the 2010 list. The list also demonstrated that they were also second in their sector of bigger companies with a lower impact. The list, which was published on this week, demonstrates how the…
ESP has recently worked both Lift & Engineering Services and Danescourt Roofing to help them to get an EMS to the standard of ISO 14001. These are both companies which went through the Going Green process at Sandwell Homes and were keen to make their processes even better and manage their risks in a more formal manner. Both…
Sandwell Homes’ innovative Eco Champions campaign is starting to gain momentum. The campaign aims to highlight what residents can do to become more environmentally friendly. The project involves getting the volunteer residents to try out different environmental friendly technology to see what difference it has on their utility bills and the way they carry out their…
Bateswood ESP are please to announce that Wolverhampton Homes has had their Environmental Management System (EMS) accredited to the international standard, ISO 14001:2001. This standard recognises the great work which Wolverhampton Homes has carried out to reduce their environmental risks and to comply with environmental legislation. It is thought that this recognition will have a dramatic effect…
Whilst making room in the office for new staff ESP has used an innovative website to dispose of some old furniture. Freecycle is a website where people can post unwanted items which other people collect free of charge. this means that the unwanted furniture can be disposed of in a more sustainable way. To make room for a new…