14:52:50
Over the last couple of weeks I’ve witnessed first-hand the steps Peterborough is taking in order to make a positive impact on the environment, and the experience has been a breath of fresh air.
Large businesses have a reputation for being environmentally unsound, and who can blame them – it’s not easy to manage gigantic sums of money, hundreds of outlets and thousands of employees whilst keeping an eye on the small details like what cardboard goes in the bins at a small branch. Despite this it’s becoming increasingly apparent that environmentally-friendly business practices are possible in the largest of chains.
Early this month I visited Queensgate to chat with their environmental officer and witness the lengths they have gone to make a difference. What I saw there was inspirational – a large majority of the shopping centre’s major firms are making efforts to reduce their carbon footprint. Most stores within Queensgate separate their waste streams into eight categories, which are dealt with in appropriate manners. Cardboard is crushed together by a massive machine called a baler, which crushes boxes into compact cubes which can be sent off in bulk to be recycled, saving petrol from multiple road trips. The same goes for polythene wrapping, which is crushed and sent to recycling plants. Even the skips Queensgate use are locally sourced and rigorously monitored. Another great initiative is one taken on by McDonalds who send their oil off to be re-used. It gets converted into bio-fuel, which is far less damaging to the environment than regular fuels.
It comes as no surprise that Queensgate have received so many awards. With accolades such as Green accreditation from Investors in the Environment to Retail Recycler of the Year at the National Recycling Awards the staff at Queensgate should be proud of themselves. But as I found out last week, it’s not just large companies which can make an environmental difference.
Last Wednesday I visited Best Deal 4 Baby, a Community Interest Company which helps new mums with everything they could need to raise their children in a sustainable manner. From their massive collection of affordable baby clothes and equipment to their excellent day courses, Best Deal 4 Baby has a lot to offer. But from an environmental standpoint this is just the tip of the iceberg. Recently the company relocated its premises and decided to make the process as green as possible. For a start over 90% of their furnishings were re-used, with many examples being donated and saved from landfill. Everything from carpet tiles, doors and even computers were locally sourced. Their toilet cubicle doors were once wooden pallets – after being cut to shape and secured to the stalls with hinges they look terrific! One of the greatest things I took from my visit was the sense of solidarity in the team, who seemed more like a family than co-workers.
These examples prove that with a little effort and forethought it is possible for businesses to conduct sustainable business practice. There’s just no excuse for sending recyclable or reusable materials to landfill when there are so many services designed to support environmental conduct.
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