Businesses share green expertise to save carbon and money

Staffordshire businesses big and small are sharing expertise to save money and carbon emissions.

International exporters and a family-run country pub are among those benefiting from the Staffordshire County Council-supported Staffordshire Business Environment Network (sben)

sben’s work helping businesses achieve long term sustainability and maximise commercial opportunities through green innovation mean local businesses have already saved 1,656 tonnes of carbon since 2017.

Simon Tagg, Staffordshire County Council’s cabinet member for Environment, Infrastructure and Climate Change, said: “This authority is committed to tackling climate change and helping businesses go greener. sben does great practical work and is currently offering free membership so businesses of any size in Staffordshire can get valuable practical advice and support to help them go green and prosper at the same time. Every small step we take makes a big difference and will get us closer to achieving net-zero by 2050.”

One family-run pub, The Black Lion Inn in the Staffordshire Moorlands, has worked with sben to change the way it operates. It has removed LPG gas from its kitchen and replaced all equipment to be run on electric renewable energy, installed an electric vehicle charging point and, as part of a wider commitment to reduce food miles, developed an organic garden where they are self-sufficient through summer with all their salads. Watch video here

Hannah Grimsey, owner of the Black Lion Inn, said: “We’re based in the beautiful village of Butterton and we’re so lucky to be surrounded by beautiful landscape and amazing nature every day. This really reminds us of our responsibilities, as business owners, to do everything that we can to protect it for people in the future. As parents, it’s become more important to us as we think about what we are going to leave for our children over the next decades.”

Insulated packaging company, Woolcool, based in Stone, has pioneered the use of the use of 100% natural sheep wool to insulate pharmaceutical products internationally.

As members of sben, it had an independent assessment of its energy usage and received lots of practical advice. The business has now changed to more energy efficient lights and is zero waste to landfill. Watch video here.

Managing Director at Woolcool, Josie Morris said: “I think it’s really important for businesses to start thinking about sustainability. We have found that being sustainable is not only a great thing for the planet, but also from a cost-saving perspective. Staffordshire is known for its innovation and creativity, if we all come together and do our bit, we could be the most sustainable county in the country.”

sben is offering free membership for a limited time only. To join sben or find out more, visit https://sben.co.uk/