Resource efficiency club

Introduction

Resource efficiency involves the optimization of processes to reduce waste of whatever sort, e.g. wood, coating, packaging, general waste, office waste and energy. It also involves trying to reuse and recycle unavoidable waste rather than sending it to landfill.

In 2005, around 15 BFM and SEFTA members received a visit from Alistair Bromhead as part of a feasibility study to evaluate the potential for resource efficiency savings. This study concluded that between them, these companies had the potential to save over £300,000 p.a. an average of £24,000.

The actual project started in 2006, through which savings of £977,000 were identified for this group alone - with £354,000 of savings implemented by March 2008. This success was followed by a second year for an extended group and a second initiative based in Nottingham.

The initiative was able to take place thanks to funding obtained from Envirowise, a Government funded initiative designed to secure cost savings through resource efficiency and cleaner technology, to run a resource efficiency club for a year.