HomeBusiness Improvement through Environmental Solutions Programme (BITES)
When you're wasting resources, you're not just losing money, you're also damaging the environment.
BITES is a business development initiative designed to help businesses reduce waste and energy, boost profits and help the environment.
Based on two years' success in Belfast, the programme is now being expanded across the district council areas of Carrickfergus, Lisburn and Newtownabbey.
BITES provides:
- expertise, training and templates
- a mini-audit of operations
- implementation support
- networking opportunities
- exposure to industry good practice including case studies and site visits
- all workshop materials.
- Environmental Management Systems
- Resource Efficiency
- Energy
- Water
- Purchasing
- Transport.
Benefits of BITES
Foundation Level Environmental Management System (EMS)
By the time the programme is complete, you will have a foundation level environmental management system.Cost savings
BITES arms you with a plan aimed at identifying and implementing savings across your resource expenditure.Other benefits
BITES is built around the particular needs of participating companies.You will have access to:
- specialist experts in the fields of water, waste, transportation and energy
- training and support
- cost saving opportunities
- assistance in the introduction of foundation environmental management systems
- assistance and advice on legislative compliance
- networking opportunities
- Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment Accreditation
- environmental advisory and information services.
Case Studies: 2009-2011 Previous Participants
Twenty two companies participated in the BITES programme between 2009 and 2011. The companies were mainly small and medium sized companies (SMEs) from a range of sectors including construction, leisure, real estate, legal, manufacturing (food and packaging), and social economy.Companies participating in the programme benefited from a range of savings including:
- Combined cost savings of £320,000
- Over 1000MWh of energy savings
- Almost 40 tonnes of materials eliminated from use
- 172 tonnes of waste diverted from landfill and recycled
- Over 200 tonnes of landfill reduced.
Programme costs
The cost of participating on BITES has been reduced to take account of the current economic conditions. A fee of £250 will apply to all participants.Programme accreditation
The BITES Programme is currently accredited by the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA) which promotes best practice standards in environmental management, auditing and assessment.Participants will qualify for a certificate of completion (subject to a satisfactory level of participation) of a Foundation Certificate in Environmental Management from IEMA. This will gain Continuing Professional Development (CPD) points which can be used in obtaining IEMA membership.
What's expected of you?
Commitment - Your company needs to nominate a person of sufficient seniority to benefit from the high quality training he or she will receive.Time - They will have to be able to set aside the time to attend the modules and work through the programme.
Progress and Achievement - Participants are expected to set successful completion as a goal! To this end, participants are also encouraged to attend the Awards Ceremony at a central location in Belfast.
Contact us
For more information on this initiative contact:Shane Kelland
Economic Development Officer
Telephone: 028 9091 8771
Email: kellands@belfastcity.gov.uk
The programme is funded by Belfast City Council, Carrickfergus Borough Council, Lisburn City Council, Newtownabbey Borough Council, Invest Northern Ireland and the European Regional Development Fund under the European Sustainable Competitiveness Programme for Northern Ireland 2007 – 2013.
