Over £73,000. indentified savings for NI based companies

Seventeen companies from Belfast, Carrickfergus, Lisburn and Newtownabbey Borough Councils have participated in the BITES programme and have identified combined resource efficiency savings of over £73,000.

Business Improvement through Environmental Solutions (BITES) is a business development initiative designed to assist the participant businesses to enhance their competitiveness and sustainability through more efficient use and management of resources (energy, water, waste and raw materials). The programme is delivered through a series of business improvement workshops, an externally approved course (Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment Foundation Certificate Course in Environmental Management) and bespoke one-to-one implementation support.

The participant companies were from a range of sectors to include manufacturing, food and drink, accountancy, restaurants and pubs, construction, dry cleaning and professional services. The participant businesses benefited from a range of one-to-one support to include: focused energy and water audits; support to develop and implement waste management strategies and recycling, and assistance to develop key EMS documentation and a Monitoring and Targeting System.

The participant companies attended an Awards Ceremony at Belfast City Hall on Thursday 12 September 2013 where the programme participants were awarded with a certificate formally acknowledging their participation and efforts during in the programme.

On completion of the programme, the participant companies offered the following comments.

“The BITES programme has triggered a complete review of our companies environmental performance. APS are keen to  demonstrate to our customers, suppliers and everyone, that we are committed to an effective environmental management policy. I found the BITES programme informative, well structured, and presented in a positive, professional and friendly manner. BITES has been a very worthwhile business initiative and I would have no hesitation recommending this programme.” APS – Stephen O’Neill

“The BITES process grabbed my attention from day one and focused my mind on opportunities to make economies with regards to waste and utilities management I recovered my fee the first day, when I discovered that my two 120 Litre wheelie bins contained mostly bin liners full of air and was able to reduce my waste to one bin for weekly collection. I now wonder how many businesses fail as I did to check the contents of their waste bins.” Presto Clean – Des Storey

“The BITES programme motivated us at Coolair to establish a clear understanding in relation to how our business impacts on the environment. Through the completion of the workshops, one to one sessions and the introduction of monitoring and measurement we have developed a clear, well structured system for continually reviewing and improving where possible our approach to the environment. I feel that the BITES programme is a great platform for any business to better manage operational costs whilst also enhancing the experience that they provide to their customers.” Coolair Refrigeration & Air Conditioning (NI) Ltd – Chris Rodgers

Recruiting now

The programme is now open for applications for the next cohort of the programme commencing in October/November 2013. Click here for more details or contact Rob Duncan on 028 90 737873 or duncan@mabbett.eu

The BITES project is part funded by Invest Northern Ireland and the European Regional Development Fund under the Sustainable Competitiveness Programme for Northern Ireland. Funding also comes from Belfast City Council, Carrickfergus Borough Council, Newtownabbey Borough Council, Lisburn City Council.