€collective Business Environmental Association Reducing Overheads Costs The Environmental ‘Health-Check’ Reducing Overheads Costs The Environmental ‘Health-Check’ Phil Walker, €collective Tuesday 16 th June 2009

€collective Business Environmental Association €collective - A Self-help Association Aims  Comply with Env. Law  Measure & Improve Env. Performance  Minimise Env. Risk  Influence others to do likewise Supported by the EPA and Waterford Chamber.

€collective Business Environmental Association Environmental ‘Health-check’  A free, very informal, review  Around 3 hours – ‘walk & talk’  Includes website support  Focus on energy, water, waste.  Seeks zero- & low-cost savings  Confidential report & recommendations Can be the first step to implementing a formal management system

€collective Business Environmental Association Case Study 1 – Legal Firm Modern office building MeasureFirstCostAnnualSaving Pay-back Time Control landfill bins & review waste contract €0€900immediate Remove excess bulbs €0€800immediate Replace T8 light-tubes with T5 retro-fittings €1,200€ months Totals€1,200€2,500 6 months

€collective Business Environmental Association Case Study 2 – Childcare Facility Purpose built, brand new building. MeasureCostSavingPay-back New waste contract €0€150immediate Use gas - summer water €0€200immediate Fit 7-day gas timers €200€1,000 3 months Remove excess bulbs €0€75immediate Replace T8 ‘s with T5’s €450€ months New electricity contract €0€300immediate Totals€650€2,025 4 months

€collective Business Environmental Association Why seek a ‘Health-Check’?  Costs nothing (a good start)  Identifies real savings (still good?)  Emphasis on zero and low-cost savings Typical SME saving €1,000 p.a. (even better!)  Helps you improve your business.... -and save the planet (so makes you look good too)

€collective Business Environmental Association So, what’s the catch, then? Yes, unfortunately there is one. Wouldn’t you just know it. Our funding is tenuous. So, use us now, or we may be gone.

€collective Business Environmental Association €collective Future Plans  Develop as a low-cost, high-return Environmental Certification Scheme  80% cheaper than the commercial alternatives (Typical SME €250 p.a.)  Based on ‘health-check’, so members will usually save much more than they pay.  Gives a formal certificate, so members can demonstrate their ‘green’ credentials.

€collective Business Environmental Association Thank you for your attention. Prospective new members should contact: Phil Walker Environmental Advisor, Waterford Chamber Tel (dir):