A special graduation is being held today at Queen's University for six Belfast businesses which have managed to improve their environmental operations as well as reduce running costs.

Belfast City Council, in partnership with ARENA Network and QUESTOR, are celebrating the outstanding achievements of businesses that have successfully completed the BITES (Business Improvements Through Environmental Solutions) programme, accredited by the Institute of Environmental Management.

The graduates – two departments within the Royal Victoria Hospital; Semple and McKillop Consulting Engineers Ltd; Smallworld Music; Image Zoo; and AndersonSprattGroup – all completed a one year course which was based on five two-day modules, each having a specific theme designed to improve the financial and environmental operations of the company, followed by a two month implementation period.

-- Advertisement --

As well as classroom-based learning, successful completion of the scheme included a number of site visits and proven efficiencies in resources, energy, water, purchasing and transport.

Throughout the programme, which was funded by the Better Belfast Landfill Tax Credit scheme, businesses were given tools, skills and guidance to develop an improvement plan tailored to their own company's needs.

Councillor Michael Browne, chairman of Belfast City Council's Development Committee, said: "The cost of waste is much higher than businesses realise and the challenging targets set by European directives on waste create added pressure. It's no longer acceptable to rely on landfill as the primary waste disposal option and more integrated waste management solutions are required on a significant scale.

Course participant, Louisa McElvanna, from Smallworld Music, said: "Being involved in the BITES programme has not only changed the way our business operates from an environmental perspective but it has also been a useful tool in our approach to fulfilling the environmental requirements set out in many of the tenders our business applies for."

Seamus McKillop, managing director of Semple and McKillop Consulting Engineers Ltd, added: "The BITES course has helped us to develop and implement a coherent and effective policy on environmental issues."

Due to the success of the programme, another will run next year – this time with 12 companies.

Any businesses interested in signing up should contact Martin Doherty at Belfast City Council on 028 9032 0202 ext 3270

(GK/JM)