Environmental Effectiveness

Over 50 candidates working (under supervision) in 11 SMEs in the North West of England enrolled for the Environmental Effectiveness Award.

The aims of the pilot were:

1. Facilitate candidates in achieving the EAL Level 2 Environmental Effectiveness Award.
2. Demonstrate tangible reductions in the environmental impacts of participants work practices
3. Produce an Environmental Effectiveness Workbook of supporting materials and competence based activities.

This award encourages an active involvement for employees. The key aim is to make and implement suggestions to improve work practices that reduce negative imapcts on the environment. This does not require boring lectures, just clear tasks to undertake.

Action Energy /Future Energy Solutions followed up this pilot to creat a number of case studies which are available free of charge from Future Energy Solutions from AEA Technology, B153, Harwell, Didcot, Oxon OX11 0QJ quoting reference numbers GPCS 420, GPCS 421, GPCS 422.

These demonstrate savings to the bottom line averaging £2000 per candidate !

Click for Full Report of NW Pilot (pdf)

Suggestions

While candidates made recommendations which were implemented, sometimes they could not demonstrate their own role in implementation - which is crucial to assessing their competence.
e.g. one suggested changing to green energy, but could only turn off monitors in practice

Here are examples of environmental practices that were implemented as a result of candidates suggestions:

Reduce paper wastage and place recycling bin next to printer
Introduce flaking machine for plastic cups to make more recyclable
Make use of extraction waste - set waste in cardboard so it became hard-core instead of waste
Use of lighting in factory and office areas
Reduce amount of ordinary waste going in 'special' waste bins
Introduction of wood burning stove
Monitors turned off while not in use
Turning monitors off
Monitor use of paper
Eliminate one compressor - estimated saving £8k/yr
Reduce waste from 903 Grades - est. £38k/y savings
Maximise Roll lengths - cuts waste of time and materials and operatives
Clean and replace roof or ceiling lights
Management of cardboard products via bailing
Fit automatic time out on motors and presses, starting with verbal method
Crush and bail waste before landfill. Waste reduction est. saving £6k/yr
Label and switch off lights/printers recycle cartridges
Identify any faults and all yarns,
Plastic and glass segregated
Space heating savings

The award ceremony was held ay Northern Technologies, Nelson, Lancashire

Recommendations from EPaW

Candidates felt there was too much repetition with units (internal communication) and unit 4 (external) and that it is virtually impossible for supervised people to have time and access to people outside work. As a result, candidates can choose either unit to complete.

© ep@w Publishing Company Ltd. 2000
2003 Edition