ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES

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Alcoa Publishes New Sustainability Reports for Australia and Jamaica

Alcoa has announced that it has published new sustainability reports from its Australia and Jamaica locations. Each report details the efforts the two regions have taken to achieve all facets of sustainability. The reports are available at http://www.alcoa.com/sustainability.

Following are some highlights from the reports:

Alcoa in Australia
* Australia's Pinjarra refinery upgrade completed in 2006 included the installation of new emissions control mechanisms using best-practice technology, resulting in improved environmental performance, reduced emissions and an increase in alumina production capacity. The equivalent of 1,500 full-time jobs were created during the construction period.

* Setting a new benchmark for the global alumina industry, Alcoa of Australia developed an innovative carbon capture technology that locks up carbon dioxide by mixing it with bauxite residue, a waste from the alumina-refining process. The first carbon capture plant is now fully operational at Australia's Kwinana refinery and there are plans underway to roll out this technology at other locations in Australia and around the world.

* The Make an Impact programme was initiated in 2006. This programme, developed with funding from Alcoa Foundation, aims to support employees' environmental commitments to reducing their personal greenhouse footprint. Alcoa Australia distributed Make An Impact kits to employees and their families that include an Internet-based greenhouse calculator and other advice on reducing energy and water consumption, and waste.

Jamalco
* Improving the energy efficiency of the Jamalco refinery was a key area of focus. Jamalco reduced the amount of energy it needs to make one ton of alumina, increasing efficiency and lowering the emissions of greenhouse gases.

* Construction is underway for a new residue drying area using dry stacking technology, an innovative technique to store bauxite residue that reduces environmental effects, uses less land, and makes the byproduct accessible for alternative uses. Longer term, Jamalco will incorporate the carbon capture system developed by Alcoa Australia.

* Jamalco reported a significant decline in its Total Recordable Injury Rate in 2006 as a result of continued focus on the refinery's Behavioural Safety Observation programme.

About Alcoa
Alcoa is a leading producer and manager of primary aluminium, fabricated aluminium and alumina facilities, and is active in all major aspects of the industry. Alcoa serves the aerospace, automotive, packaging, building and construction, commercial transportation and industrial markets, bringing design, engineering, production and other capabilities of Alcoa's businesses to customers.

In addition to aluminium products and components including flat-rolled products, hard alloy extrusions, and forgings, Alcoa also markets Alcoa® wheels, fastening systems, precision and investment castings, structures and building systems. The company has 116,000 employees in 44 countries and has been named one of the top most sustainable corporations in the world at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. More information can be found at http://www.alcoa.com.

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Construction Industry Supports better Approach to Dealing with Waste

Proposals to cut the 109m tonnes of waste produced annually on construction sites in England and Wales have been broadly endorsed by the building sector.

Responses published on 1st October to a Government consultation show that 75 per cent of respondents support the idea of legally binding Site Waste Management Plans (SWMPs) to reduce illegal waste disposal and improve efficiency. The views will now feed into Defra's preparation of regulations to come into force in England in 2008.

The Minister for Waste, Joan Ruddock, said: 'This level of support for our proposals is very welcome. The Government is determined to drive down waste production and increase recycling and re-use. It is very good to have the backing of the industry as we move towards new Regulations.'

SWMPs aim to reduce the quantity of materials used and to encourage reuse and recycling, as well as environmentally sustainable disposal where necessary. Around 13 per cent of all the solid materials delivered to construction sites goes unused, and up to one third ends up in landfill.

The plans would require an assessment of the waste to be produced on a construction site and detail how it would be reused, disposed of, or recycled.

During construction, the plans would be updated to record what actually happens to the waste, including the legitimate disposal of materials that cannot be reused or recycled. This audit trail would reduce the potential for fly-tipping and increase the accountability of contractors. They should also help the construction industry to get maximum value out of its waste and make better use of resources.

The issues addressed in the consultation included whether to make SWMPs a statutory requirement or to continue the existing voluntary approach, the minimum level at which a project should require a SWMP, the level of detail they should offer, and how the SWMP can improve resource efficiency.

Responses to the consultation were mixed on the criteria and the threshold to be used in setting minimum requirements for SWMPs. Project value was generally felt to be the most practical approach to setting criteria and Defra will now do further analysis of the costs and benefits for different types of construction activity to inform decision-making on the threshold level.

The responses also stressed the need for effective enforcement, publicity and training, and the need for support for the SME sector.

Once the regulations are finalised, Defra will produce guidance to help businesses prepare for and implement them.

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It's Official - Steel Windows are the ‘Green’ Option

All steel windows manufactured and supplied by members of the Steel Window Association are produced with steel sections that are themselves manufactured 100% from recycled steel.

At the end of their very long life (usually the life of the building) steel windows can be recovered from site and recycled.

Now comes official confirmation that steel is the ‘green’ option.

The Belgian Government recently announced plans for a new tax on packaging that will penalise materials whose production generates the highest carbon emissions.

A basic tax of €0.35/kg would be imposed on all packaging materials, which would then be multiplied by a material-specific coefficient which the Belgian authorities say reflects the amount of carbon generated by that material's production.

The proposed coefficients are 0 for paper, one for glass, five for steel, seven for polystyrene and PVC and 18 for aluminium.

Until the day that windows can be made from paper, these figures confirm that steel is the ‘green’ window option.

For more information call the Steel Window Association on 020 7637 33571, e-mail: info@steel-window-association.co.uk or look at its website: http://www.steel-window-association.co.uk.

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PEET Puts Wind into the Sails of Building Turbine Project

'Deployed selectively micro wind could make a significant contribution to making the UK more energy efficient ..... but over-optimistic and technically naïve initial marketing has already made this end point much tougher to reach.’

The most comprehensive study of building mounted wind turbines in the UK has received financial support from the Pilkington Energy Efficiency Trust (PEET) which, with other high profile backers, is enabling the evaluation of 23 sites across Britain in the Warwick Urban Wind Trial Project. Pilkington, one of the world's largest glass makers, provides the income to PEET (http://www.pilkington.com/peet) which has provided funding for a large number of academic and practical energy efficiency projects. These do not have to be glass-related.

Recently extended to carry on until August 2008 to allow more time to evaluate the full range of sites, the Warwick Urban Wind Trial Project is the brainchild of Matthew Rhodes and Encraft, the firm of consulting engineers he heads. Encraft provides specialist consulting engineering services to optimise the use of low carbon technologies in building projects, developments, and existing property portfolios, employing a team of chartered mechanical, electrical and manufacturing engineers and low carbon consultants registered by CIBSE.

The project is evaluating sites spread as far as Cornwall and Scotland, with others in London, Blackpool, Milton Keynes, Nottingham and Birmingham and Warwick, with two in conservation areas. Specifically PEET is funding the monitoring of 10 turbines located within Warwick, with sites that include gable end mounted turbines in urban and rural sites, and six on 6 and 14 storey blocks of flats on top of a hill. The latter are also being monitored using CCTV and a webcam, and live pictures will be available on the trial website (http://www.warwickwindtrials.org.uk) from mid-September. All turbines are commercially available from a range of manufacturers. Additional funding for sites within their area is provided by Warwick District Council, participating homeowners, and Encraft.

Technical and social science objectives
The trial includes both technical and social science research. The technical element includes evaluation of the relative performance of similar machines from different manufacturers, on different building types. Encraft is measuring the energy output over time, and also energy drawn into the turbine control electronics when the systems are not operating. This data is correlated with wind speed on site at the hub height of the turbine and on a small number of sites wind direction is also being monitored.

The social science element of the research looks at the extent to which social attitudes may create barriers to take up of the technology. Most importantly the research is looking at whether the presence of a relatively large number of turbines in a local area makes the population at large more aware of energy efficiency.

Open access to data
One of the key tenets of the research is openness, with findings being made freely available, particularly to members of the public upon whom the acceptance and take-up of renewable energy systems ultimately depends. The results of the trial are published regularly on the trials website (http://www.warwickwindtrials.org.uk) and there are discussion forums and links to manufacturer information.

Initial findings
Head of the project Matthew Rhodes summarised the findings so far: ‘The most surprising early finding of this project was that the biggest barriers in the market were not public perception, planning or regulatory, but largely the over-optimism of some of the manufacturers themselves. Wind speeds measured close to rooflines are 50-75% lower than modelled predictions and with turbulence effects energy outputs are 5-10 times lower than would be expected in a clear wind flow.

‘However, the trial has yet to secure results from the higher flat roof sites and reference site in Cornwall, but the team are expecting outputs from these sites to be of the order of 10 times the output from the lower urban locations.’

The public have been overwhelmingly supportive, says Rhodes: ‘Public opinion surveys conducted by the project and local media have consistently indicated over 80% of people support the technology and would be happy to have one installed next door.’

The key early message from the trial is that urban wind is a great technology for exciting public interest in energy, but sites need to be chosen with great care.
Explains Rhodes: ‘Deployed selectively micro wind could make a significant contribution to making the UK more energy efficient and increasing public understanding of energy technology, but over-optimistic and technically naïve initial marketing has already made this end point much tougher to reach.’

More information on the trial is available from the project website at http://www.warwickwindtrials.org.uk, or direct from Encraft at http://www.encraft.co.uk. Information about Pilkington Energy Efficiency Trust may be found at http://www.pilkington.com/peet.

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Focus DIY's Search for the Nation's Green Hero

This month sees the launch of Focus DIY's nationwide campaign to find the country's Community Green Hero 2007. Running in stores and on its website, the activity is part of the Green Thinking from FOCUS environmental awareness initiative. It is supported with a regional radio campaign featuring celebrity eco-designer Oliver Heath, POS, plus trade and consumer PR.

From the recycling queen to the composting king, FOCUS is looking for consumers who go the extra mile to help protect their local environment. Each regional Green Hero will win £125 of FOCUS vouchers and be entered into a national draw with the chance of winning £1,000 cash to donate to an environmental charity of their choice.

Jo Hirst, Environment Manager for FOCUS, comments: 'Research shows that three quarters of people have taken positive steps to go green and save the planet for their children and grandchildren. Despite this, there's still a lot to be done.

She continues: 'As part of our Green Thinking from FOCUS campaign, we want to recognise the efforts of people who work hard to protect the environment. We are looking forward to hearing how members of the community are taking steps to become more environmentally friendly.

'At FOCUS, we are keen to support the environment, think green and raise awareness of environmental issues among our customers. As a company we are committed to the protection of the environment and to developing our business in a sustainable way.'

For further information on FOCUS DIY's products or to find your nearest store, log onto http://www.focusdiy.co.uk or call the freephone helpline number on 0800 436 436.

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WHS Halo Saves a 'Virtual Village' in Carbon

Environmental measures by WHS Halo to reduce its carbon footprint have resulted in C02 savings equivalent to the annual emissions of a large village of 1500 people. A raft of carbon-saving measures by the company in the two years from March 2005 to March 2007 achieved a footprint reduction of 7,475 metric tonnes of CO2.

Given that the UK average 'responsibility' for CO2 is 5 tonnes per person per year; WHS Halo's carbon tonnage reduction represents a significant environmental achievement - and is impressive when compared to personal and local community CO2 emissions.

The measures have not only reduced the company's carbon footprint, but have also served to realise simultaneous 'lean manufacturing' economic benefits too. Among the measures taken by the company - some of which remain commercially sensitive - are:

* The replacement of fluorescent lighting battens with T5 lamps. T5 lamps are up to 22% more efficient than more traditional systems - and through their deployment, WHS Halo's electricity cost for these items was reduced by a staggering 2400%. Furthermore, the company has also installed intelligent PIR operated lighting controls to administration and office areas, which has led to further energy savings.

* The purchasing of only high-efficiency EFF1 machinery motors for its machinery - and a decision to no longer rewind motors. Electric motors use 65% of all electricity in industry; and OEM manufacturers' claim huge financial and energy savings from EFF1 motors, over the course of their lives, compared to standard efficiency (EFF2) counterparts.

* The installation of Variable Speed Drive pumps in the company's pump room. By installing a new VSD pump; the operation of two further pumps has been rendered unnecessary - and has reduced running costs by a huge percentage and many thousands of pounds.

Other more incremental measures include the rigorous tackling of compressed air leaks; and an enhanced education programme whereby staff are allowed time to attend energy awareness training sessions.

Mike Stevenson, WHS Halo Marketing Director, said of the achievement, ‘WHS Halo considers itself as a leading driver of sustainability within the PVC-U systems sector - whether in respect of our products, or of our manufacturing and management processes. This saving of a village worth's of carbon emissions over the past two years is indicative of our ongoing practical commitment to sustainability, and reflects the wider environmental culture of the company’.

Tel: 0121 749 3000
Web: http://www.whs-halo.co.uk

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Total Glass Puts the 'Wind' in Windows

Wind power to help make windows could be a reality - and an industry 'first' - if a proposal being actively researched by Total Glass proves viable. The Liverpool-based fabricator is stepping up its commitment to environmentally-friendly business practices by exploring an even 'greener' route to supplement its energy needs.

It is researching the feasibility of installing electricity-generating wind turbines within its 100,000 sq ft factory location at Knowsley - a move which could save significant sums on power bills and reduce carbon emissions.

Working with the Carbon Trust and a local Cheshire-based environmental consultancy, Total Glass claims it could be one of the first fabricators in the industry to embrace the new technology.

‘After labour and material costs, electricity bills are by far one of our biggest overheads, so any potential savings in energy costs has to be good for both our bottom line, and the planet,’ comments Julian Wetherall, Total's Development Director.

‘At this stage, we don't know how much energy the wind turbines would provide. But energy specialists are analysing our electrical usage data, broken down by the half-hour, to assess the specification of the equipment required.’

He continues: ‘Given the size of our premises, there's plenty of room and it would be ideal for siting wind turbines. However, if it proves feasible, we would have a few more hurdles to negotiate, such as planning permission, but we are actively pursuing this project. Total Glass has a firm commitment to sustainability and the technology is developing all the time to enable us to go greener.’

Eight months after implementing energy-reducing measures recommended by the Carbon Trust, the company is already seeing 20% savings on bills. Moves such as turning off unnecessary lights, not leaving computers on standby and repairing leaking compressed air lines are contributing to an estimated £18,000 annual saving.

‘Better energy usage and control is definitely making a difference and our energy conservation efforts have the full support of staff. If the wind turbines prove a viable power-generating proposition, we will be further enhancing our ‘green’ credentials within the industry’ adds Julian.

For more information, contact Stuart Waring or Julian Wetherall on 0151 549 2339 or visit the website at http://www.totalglass.com.

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Permadoor Opens the Door to a Greener Future

Social housing specialist composite door manufacturer and supplier Permadoor has secured the environmental accreditation ISO 14001.

Specialising in the supply of made-to-measure, low maintenance exterior entrance doors to the social housing market, Permadoor operates three state of the art manufacturing operations in Upton-upon-Severn and Malvern.

As part of company's ongoing commitment to improve the efficiency and sustainability of its operation, Permadoor carried out a comprehensive review of all aspects of the business to identify its environmental impact and to assess and act upon opportunities to minimise it.

Steve Perks, environment manager, said: ‘The impact of business on the environment is clearly and rightly under greater scrutiny than ever before.

‘As a business we have not shied away from our responsibilities and have been working to establish a strong policy that reduces the impact our operation has on the environment.’

Employing environmental consultants Eco Group, Permadoor identified a number opportunities to reduce the amount of waste it generates. This included expanding existing paper and cardboard recycling facilities to segregate wood and plastic off cuts. Permadoor has also invested in new fully automated shrink wrapping equipment to eliminate cardboard waste and in new bailing equipment to facility more effective recycling of polythene.

Closing the loop on the process, the waste and off-cut PVC-U generated by the production process is recycled by Permadoor and used in frame reinforcement and edge-capping.

As part of the ISO 14001 assessment, the company has taken steps to reduce the amount of waste that it generates, for example, cutting the amount of waste paper that it generates through better stock control, increased use of double-sided printing and where possible submission of electronic rather than printed tenders.

Permadoor has also carried out a full review of its energy use and is currently working with the Carbon Trust to reduce its consumption.

As part of its accreditation programme, Permadoor ran a series of workshops to raise environmental awareness amongst its employees and to make them aware of their responsibilities.

Steve Perks said: ‘It was hugely important to get staff on board, we went to great lengths to make sure that they understood what we were trying to achieve and their role in getting their. Their response was great and we have since identified three 'environmental champions for each of our three operations, who are helping to drive the process forward.’

He adds that in addition to the environmental drivers, the ISO 14001 accreditation also made good business sense.

He said: ‘The costs of raw materials, energy, water and disposal of waste are all rising. By making additional investment in our operation by introducing new measures to minimise our impact on the environment we are also making our business more efficient and effective.’

Web: http://www.permadoor.co.uk

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Advantage Goes Green

Advantage Windows and Conservatories Ltd, the Cheshire-based trade fabricator has implemented a new environmental policy that is saving money and reducing the amount of general waste as well as increasing the amount of recycled waste material.

Advantage's purchasing manager Kieron Byrne is responsible for the new green policy and has undertaken a thorough audit of the company's waste disposal and recycling activities. Operating four factories and manufacturing over 2,000 frames and in excess of 100 conservatory roofs per week, the company employs just short of 200 staff. PVCu profile has been collected and recycled for many years but as the company has grown, the amount of other materials that need to be disposed of, such as cardboard, paper and polythene has dramatically increased.

Prior to the changes, the company was disposing of its cardboard, paper and general waste in two skips that were emptied twice a week and a compactor that was emptied once a week. The overall costs totalled over £1,500 per month. Not only was this a high price to pay for disposing if the company's waste, it was not particularly environmentally friendly as there was still a mixing of different types of waste material.

After Kieron's audit, he looked carefully at different solutions. One option was to buy or rent a baleing machine but this proved uneconomical and labour intensive and so it was decided to bring in a giant 10 metre long metal container. It is only used for pre-flattened cardboard and is large enough to take everything from all three factories plus the cardboard waste from a neighbouring factory that shares the cost. He has also organised for all the waste polythene to be bagged and collected by the company that collects the PVCu off cuts and all the waste paper generated from office activities is collected separately in special 25 kg bags and taken for recycling.

By carefully looking at how its collects and recycles its waste material, Advantage has made savings of around £20K per year as well as dramatically increasing the amount of waste material that can be effectively recycled.

'Whatever way you look at it', says Kieron Byrne, 'it's a win win situation. However, we're not stopping there. We are continuing to look at all aspects of how to use our resources more efficiently including our use of light, power and water. Much more progress can be expected in the near future.'

Tel: 01625 856488

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PEET Backs Young Campaign to Tackle Climate Change

Pilkington Energy Efficiency Trust (PEET), the organisation established to give financial support for energy efficiency research, testing or evaluation projects for the built-environment, has backed the Woodcraft Folk and its ambitious C-Change Project (http://www.switchonswitchoff.org) by funding the development of a key element of the project, Climate: Mobile, a mobile-phone based carbon calculator for young people primarily in the 11-21 age group.

The aim of the application is to assist young people, to whom the calculator will be available free of charge, in making informed decisions about life-style changes they can make to reduce their carbon footprint. By the age of 12 nearly all young people (94%*) own a mobile phone and they are amongst the next generation of consumers and decision makers most likely to be affected by climate change. Woodcraft Folk therefore believe it is important to influence this group using channels of communication that they are familiar and comfortable with.

Using data from the Centre for Alternative Technology’s carbon calculator – a tool that is highly regarded by major sustainability organisations, Climate: Mobile asks a series of life-style questions to estimate the user’s carbon footprint with questions covering home energy, transport, flights, food and general consumption. The calculator shows total emissions, emissions broken down by sector, and a comparison with UK averages. Once the user has answered all of the questions they will be given tips on reducing their emissions relevant to the response they give.

Climate: Mobile will be distributed free from the C-Change website and by text and Bluetooth transfer. The calculator is being advertised and distributed at events including the Glastonbury Festival and others which are being organised as part of the C-Change project, and through Woodcraft Folk publications and website.

This research element of the project will evaluate the effectiveness of mobile technology, such as Climate: Mobile, in bringing about attitude and behaviour changes with regard to energy use by young people.

PEET was approached by Woodcraft Folk to provide funding for the Climate: Mobile element of C-Change, and funding was approved by the independent Board of Trustees that decides on which projects are backed. Julie Thorpe, Project Coordinator for the Woodcraft Folk C-Change Project, says ‘The backing from PEET has meant that the Climate: Mobile idea has been put into practise. Mobile phones are so central to young people’s lifestyles that it seemed like an excellent way of getting the climate change message across. We hope that thousands of young people will use Climate: Mobile and pass it on to their friends.’

The Woodcraft Folk – established as an educational movement and charity in 1925, - have developed the C-Change project with a grant from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs’ (Defra) Climate Challenge Fund, following research that highlights young people are relatively unaware of the need to take action about climate change. The Woodcraft Folk C-Change project, developed in association with de Montfort University and the Centre for Alternative Technology, seeks to change the attitudes of young people towards climate change and their role in tackling it by providing education about global warming and ways in which they may take an active part in reducing its effects.

Pilkington, one of the world’s largest and most innovative glass makers, provides the income to the Pilkington Energy Efficiency Trust (http://www.pilkington.com/peet) which has provided funding for a large number of academic and practical energy efficiency projects. Projects submitted do not have to be glass-related.

*Source: The Mobile Life Youth Report 2006 from The Carphone Warehouse.

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Going Green at Crystal Direct

You only have to open your daily paper to see the impact of climate change and government initiatives trying to tackle it. The latest suggestion is for homeowners to pay for the rubbish they don't recycle.

‘Homeowners are encouraged to do their bit but businesses can make a huge impact on the waste the UK is producing,’ says Martin Randall, Chairman of Crystal Direct. ‘At Crystal we want to lead by example. Our Operations Director, Brian Geraghty, has been communicating with all our suppliers so we can recycle all our packaging.’

Brian explains: ‘We're already doing a lot - all of our packaging and glass is recycled. But I want to educate the company and our suppliers so everything - from coke cans to swarf - is recycled. We've introduced recycling bins throughout the factory and offices to reduce wastage. By the end of the year more than half the waste we produce will be recycled.’

Tel: 01462 489900
Web: http://www.crystal-direct.co.uk

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Social Housing More Energy Efficient than Private Sector Homes

Council houses are among the most energy efficient homes in the country, according to a major Government report into house conditions published on 6th June. The new report will reveal that social sector housing, currently undergoing a £40 billion overhaul, is much more energy efficient and is being improved at a faster rate than privately-owned housing.

The English House Condition Survey (EHCS) 2005 Annual report finds that social sector housing, for so long associated with draughty post-war tower blocks and cold council flats, is more likely to have effective insulation than privately-owned housing.

Over three quarters (77 per cent) of social sector housing has cavity walls, compared to just over two thirds (67 per cent) of private homes. Just a quarter (27 per cent) of private homes have adequate loft insulation, while almost a half (44 per cent) of social sector houses have 150mm of insulation or more.

Housing Minister Yvette Cooper said:

‘This report shows the multi-billion pound investment in council houses in helping the environment as well as families' fuel bills. Council houses are now much greener than private homes.

‘It shows that major refurbishment's to deliver decent homes are far more than Changing Rooms-style makeovers. Modern central heating and insulation is being installed alongside new kitchens and bathrooms.

‘It was shocking that at the end of the twentieth century, two million council houses failed basic decency standards and many lacked proper insulation or central heating. Now we are well on the way to making all council houses decent, with 95 per cent of social housing to meet the decency standards by 2010.’

Over £20 billion has been invested in improving social housing since 1997. The total investment will rise to at least £40 billion by the end of 2010.

The main measure of energy efficiency used in the report is based on annual space and water heating costs. An index is used to rate homes on a scale of one (highly inefficient) to 100 (highly efficient).

The social sector has an average rating of 57, compared to 46 in the private sector. The social sector has improved more than the private sector since 1996, rising 10 points up the index. The private sector has risen only five points over the same period. Almost all social sector housing (96 per cent) has a rating of more than 30.

The most energy inefficient stock tends to be older, privately owned, larger housing and is often amongst the most valued housing.

Other findings from the 2005 survey are:
* Housing conditions continue to improve. Between 1996 and 2005 the number of non-decent homes has fallen by over three million, from 9.1 million (45 per cent) to six million (27 per cent).
* Social housing conditions are improving at such a rate that in 2005 there is little difference with the private sector as a whole (29 per cent and 27 per cent non-decent respectively), although conditions in the private rented sector (41 per cent of homes are non-decent) are considerably worse than other tenures.
* There has been significant improvements in housing conditions in the 88 most deprived districts since 1996. The number of non-decent social sector homes in these areas has reduced by 680,000 since 1996 and 300,000 since 2001. In the private sector, there are almost 900,000 less non-decent homes in these districts than in 1996.
* Across all tenures, housing conditions of the poorer and most vulnerable households (including families and elderly people on benefits) are improving faster than those of more affluent households, and consequently the gap between them is closing. The number of vulnerable households in non-decent homes has dropped by almost a quarter (23 per cent) since 1996, compared to a 14 per cent fall for other households.
* In areas where homes are predominantly local authority-built flats one in four households live in poor quality environments. This affects both social and private sector households living on these estates.
* On average, houses are getting bigger. However this is because of a tendency to build houses with more bedrooms than in the past. Houses with any given number of bedrooms are actually getting smaller (e.g. three bedroom semi detached).

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Swish Building Products on the Road to a 'Greener' Future

Roofline social housing and new build specialist Swish Building Products has secured certification for Environmental Management Standard ISO 14001.

Specialising in the supply of low maintenance roofline and cladding systems, Swish operates two state of the art manufacturing facilities in the West Midlands at Tamworth.

As part of company's commitment to continuously improve the efficiency and sustainability of its operation, Swish has carried out a comprehensive review of all aspects of the business to identify its environmental impact and to take positive action to minimise it.

Michelle Miller SHEQ manager, said: ‘The impact of business on the environment is clearly under greater scrutiny than ever before and Swish has not shied away from its responsibilities’.

As part of the ISO 14001 assessment process, the company has taken steps to reduce the amount of waste that it generates, and to increase the waste it recycles. Anything that can be recycled is now recycled. All waste material generated from start-up, cutting down, accidental damage and even saw dust is now collected and recycled internally. Cutting systems that do not generate saw dust are fitted to newly installed extruders to reduce energy consumption.
Packaging materials are returned to suppliers or separated and bundled, ready for recycling along with all paper waste from across the company.

With the support of the Carbon Trust and environmental consultants Energys, Swish has carried out a full audit of its energy and water consumption and has introduced energy reduction systems and targets, and practical water conservation measures across all aspects of its business.

Swish has replaced its entire delivery fleet with low-emission, Euro4 compliant vehicles. Full 'air management' kits have been fitted to these already fuel-efficient trucks, and 'air ride' suspension ensures that wear and tear of the road surface is reduced. More efficient delivery routes have been developed and vehicle capacity utilisation has been increased to 85 per cent. The company has also invested in driver training to further promote fuel economy.

Michelle adds that the ISO 14001 accreditation not only makes environmental sense but also makes good business sense.

She said: ‘The costs of raw materials, energy, water and waste disposal are all rising. By making this investment and minimising our impact on the environment, we are also making our business more efficient and effective.’

Swish Building Products environmental policy is available online at http://www.swishbp.co.uk or call 01827 317200.

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Mumford & Wood is Environmentally Sound

Mumford & Wood, Essex-based manufacturer of premium quality timber windows and doors, has announced the company's full achievement of ISO 14001 Certification, the recognition of a company’s environmental processes and interaction with the world in which we live. A company’s carbon footprint and waste programmes make an increasing impact on our environment, a fact that has become an important global issue.

At Mumford & Wood the assessment procedures undertaken in ISO 14001 certification have gained the full commitment of senior managers in developing an environmental policy which is compliant with legal and regulatory requirements.

Leading and coordinating the efforts of the ISO 14001 team, Mike Harris, Technical Director Mumford & Wood, has worked closely with the Carbon Trust to introduce measures that will make a real difference – from small but obvious actions such as switching off lights in an unoccupied room, to introducing new waste collection services that recycle a minimum of 70% of daily waste, to the implementation of extraction systems that recycle heat back into the factory premises after a filtration process.

'As a manufacturer we have always been environmentally conscious and aware of our impact – from where and how we source our materials, the finishes we use for low impact and sustainability, disposal of our waste for recycling – so for us the application for ISO 14001 recognition has not been especially difficult,' says Mike Harris of Brentwood, Essex. 'Importantly, it underlines the commitment from our management and staff that we must continue to access our activities and ensure that improvements in our procedures are made as an on-going discipline.'

A special ISO14001 in-house Task Force has been set up to interpret and integrate the requirements of the environmental procedures which relies heavily on education and training programmes, induction training for new employees, the gauging of customer expectations and delivery of actions to ensure implementation at every level, as well as continual assessment of activities.

'While the team has masterminded these procedures we mustn’t lose sight of the workforce who have all adapted so well and worked within these new disciplines, and to whom we thank for their continuous suggestions for ways to help reduce waste and save energy,' states Mike Harris.

The ISO 14001 assessment was undertaken by third party Independent European Certification Limited who wasable to award certification at the highest level to Mumford & Wood for compliance on all counts.

Tel: 01621 818155
Web: http://www.mumfordwood.com

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