London Wider Waste Strategy - London - Greater London Authority

in London. 22 The research included interviews with representatives from SMEs in four
target sectors – serviced offices, business services, catering, and printing and publishing.
Themes which emerged included the need to engage with businesses on their own
terms, provide sector-specific expert advice and continuity, and link environmental
advice provision with wider support initiatives.
4.137. London Remade provides educational resources and programmes associated with the
eco-sites it has assisted. To some extent these are targeted at businesses, particularly
businesses associated with recycling and reprocessing, although a major focus of most
activities is on the wider public such as schools and community groups.
4.138. Barriers to waste minimisation and recycling cited during consultations included
management time and effort required and the bundling of waste disposal costs with
other services (such as in serviced offices) removing the financial incentive to minimise
waste. These are particular issues for SMEs. Waste minimisations clubs can be
successful but receive minimal resources at present and may be best targeted at clusters
of similar businesses to ensure that the advice meets their specialist needs.
Recommendation 13: In order to provide further support and advice on sustainable
waste management for public sector and non-commercial organisations, it is
recommended that consideration should be given whether relevant information
and assistance could be provided by Government through or alongside
Envirowise.
4.139. Envirowise focuses its advice on waste minimisation as a way of increasing profit,
although there is also considerable reference to wider environmental issues. While it is
generally thought that Envirowise is targeted specifically at SMEs, it is actually aimed at
all business and many of the services can be accessed by companies of all sizes. This is
highlighted by the fact that on its Retail Therapy promotion, Envirowise is presenting
certificates for high achievement to companies that include Halfords, W H Smith, The
Body Shop, Boots, Manchester United, and Centre Parcs as well as smaller companies.
4.140. The services offered by Envirowise include:
• A wide range of publications on resource efficiency that are available free on-line
and in hard copy for all companies (over 350 publications have been published to
date);
• A wide range of events such as conferences and workshops on resource efficiency
that are free for any representatives of any organisation to attend (over 200 have
been run to date)
• Free advice of up to two hours for all organisations on the Environment and Energy
Helpline which is staffed by experts;
• Free “Fast Track” visit on waste issues to SMEs by independent experts (one visit of
up to 8 hours);
• Promotion of waste minimisation clubs
• Development and promotion of a range of tools, spreadsheets and presentations
available to all organisations to promote waste minimisation
4.141. As indicated above, Envirowise is aimed at business. Whilst any organisation can access
its web-site and download publications, the helpline and visits are for commercial
22 Sustainable Business Development. Final Report. Brook Lyndhurst. March 2004.
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