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Pioneering ‘Business Clusters’ project in Peterborough on track to save firms thousands of pounds...
An innovative project which launched in Peterborough in January this year is helping forty businesses to save money and the environment by encouraging them to work together.
The project, which is being delivered by Resource Efficiency East (REE) and green charity Peterborough Environment City Trust (PECT), is working with two city business parks - Fengate and Cygnet Park in Hampton - and aims to save them a collective £150,000.
 Sam Jones from PECT is working closely with the forty businesses that are taking part in the project, twenty from each business park. Participants include Deafblind UK, Agricultural Engineers Association, and Cambridge Safety from Hampton, and KJS Print and Mail, Anglian Compressors, Pirtek from Fengate.
Each business has already received a tailored Business Resource Review to identify where they could reduce their environmental impact and save money. The businesses have also taken part in a series of workshops to help them collaborate to address key areas of concern for the business park.
These workshops have already identified a number of ways that the businesses can work together to save money and reduce environmental impact:
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Businesses from Hampton have agreed to share a recycling facility, saving half their waste from going to landfill, and saving them £1,700.
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The same businesses are also looking to start composting their organic waste – something that only makes financial sense when smaller businesses group together.
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The project is working with Royal Mail to establish a central post-box to reduce the fuel currently used to drive to the post office in the city centre. This will save time, money, and petrol.
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Lorry and van drivers from the businesses are receiving a crash course in driving efficiency which could reduce fuel consumption by up to 20%.
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Businesses in Fengate are joining forces to purchase insulation for their buildings to secure the most competitive price.
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Travel plans have been established for both business parks to reduce traffic and resolve parking issues.
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The sharing of waste and recycling collections is saving the businesses money and keeping the number of dustcart journeys to a minimum.
Antony Gough, Programme Director from REE is delighted that the project, which runs until January 2011, has been well received by businesses in the two Business Parks. He said, “When it comes to increasing resource efficiency each business is different but there are also common issues that businesses face.
“We believe that by getting businesses working in partnership to manage waste more effectively, encourage sustainable travel, invest in renewable energy, and share resources, these Business Parks won’t just benefit during the project, but long afterwards too.”
Business and Environment Officer from PECT Sam Jones has already clocked up 150 miles on his bike cycling to Fengate and Hampton from PECT’s offices in the City Centre. He explained, “All the businesses I’ve visited about the project have been really positive and keen to take part. There are obvious benefits for them both financially and regarding the long term sustainability of their organisation.
“Many businesses are now switched on to their environmental responsibilities but it’s often hard to know where to start. The support we’re providing to businesses locally is really important because it helps businesses take a vital step towards reducing their environmental impact and helping Peterborough become the UK’s Environment Capital.”
Over the coming months the businesses will take part in a number of themed events to focus on a particular area of resource efficiency – for example ‘energy saving week’ in October and ‘zero waste week’ in November.
It is hoped that the project findings will help business parks in other areas of the UK carry out their own Business Clusters project.
If your business is located in Hampton or Fengate and you are interested in finding out more about this project please contact Sam Jones on 01733 866448 or email
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Notes to Editor:
Peterborough Environment City Trust (PECT) is a charity set up following Peterborough’s designation as a UK Environment City in 1992. PECT carries out research and implements practical projects to protect and improve the environment. Our mission at PECT is to lead and support the city in delivering growth and regeneration in a truly environmentally sustainable way.
As a successful charity we work with a wide variety of stakeholders to make a difference for our environment – through innovation, enterprise and commitment to action on the ground. PECT has a strong track record of delivering projects of regional and national significance. It has a staff of 25 working on initiatives from green spaces to business environmental management to sustainable communities and lifestyles.
For further information please contact:
Nyree Ambarchian, Marketing & Communications Manager
Tel: 01733 866 437 Email:
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