Sheffield's First Eco Business Summit Success
Sheffield's first Eco-Business Summit brought together a mix of politicians, corporate leaders and eco-evangelists to brainstorm eco-friendly business ideas, work practices and policies last month. The city's first Eco Business Summit, organised by award-winning, ethical business, Bag It Don't Bin It as part of the Love2Be in Sheffield Festival, was held at Pizza Express on Friday 29th February.
Local politicians, Jillian Creasy, Paul Scriven, Martin Lawton and Andrew Lees spoke about the importance of business contributing to a greener planet and recognised that this very much depended on a partnership between government and the corporate world.
Julia Gash, event organiser and director of Bag It Don't Bin It, then presented several case studies, highlighting eco-friendly products, work practices and initiatives, before the politicians steered group discussions between thirty corporate leaders and eco-evangelists, over pizza and wine.
"Many, simple, workable and creative ideas for companies were generated during the Summit," said Julia." One of the ideas that was suggested was that companies could identify and reward Eco-Champions at all levels and sectors of business. Sheffield could introduce a Gold, Silver and Bronze Green Award status for companies who met certain criteria. Companies could nominate an "Eco-Employee of the Month" i.e. the employee who is most/improving eco-friendly in the workplace and inspires others towards a greener work environment." She adds.
A website called "Our Sheffield" was also suggested, backed by a monthly E-newsletter, which could act as an easily accessible, one-stop, green, resource for businesses and individuals. Companies discussed ways in which they could lobby suppliers, government and introduce initiatives that empower employees to work in a healthy work environment and to do the obvious such as turn off lights when they leave a room. Providing recycling points for different waste streams for staff and banning plastic bags from company premises (whilst giving staff a branded company, eco-bag) were proposed
Julia Gash, comments: "In summing up, it was obvious that keeping it simple and avoiding red tape as well as incentivizing companies and individuals was key in enabling change to happen. If all companies just carried out one or two of the proposed actions, then it would make a big, visible difference within their organisation and have a knock on effect on other companies".
Bag It Don't Bin It have produced an Eco Business Summit Summary packed full of ideas to green your company. Email kate@bagitdontbinit.com for a free e-copy now!
Keep It Cool Campaign
Recent statistics reveal the extent of the problem of wastage caused by the production and use of plastic bags and the potential for change:
13 billion plastic bags are used by consumers in the UK each year
UK retailers spend £64 - £80 million per year providing plastic bags to their customers
UK retailers have signed an agreement in February 2007 to reduce the overall impact of their carrier bags by 25% by the end of 2008.
If achieved, the 25% reduction target could reduce carbon dioxide emissions by up to 58,500 tonnes a year, the equivalent to taking 18,000 cars off the road each year.
* Source: www.defra.gov.uk
Bag It Don't Bin It Mission Statement
At Bag It Don't Bin It, it is our mission to help keep the world cool ...
We aim to provide businesses and organisations with the option to purchase re-usable, 100% cotton and jute, branded bags, which have been made without using environmentally harmful chemicals. In doing so, Bag It Don't Bin It will help to replace the national trend for using disposable, plastic bags, which damage the world's eco-system.
We aim to produce a good quality, competitively priced, product, which is backed by a reliable door-to-door delivery service. As such, we aim to become the leading supplier of eco-friendly, branded, cotton bags in the UK.
In addition to our economic and financial goals, we acknowledge and abide by our social responsibilities and specifically aim to enable our workers, and those of our overseas partners, to enjoy beneficial employment conditions and a good quality of life as well as protecting the environment.
As corporate social responsibility is an integral part of our mission, we have implemented our own Environmental (40K pdf) and Fair Trade Policies (45K pdf). In doing so, we will ensure that our business success is not compromised in any way by practices that harm the environment or disempower others.
By running a 'Keep It Cool' campaign, it is our aim to encourage other businesses and individuals to adopt eco-friendly working practices and lifestyles and to Bag It Don't Bin It!