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.
BITES provides:
- expertise, training and templates
- a mini-audit
- implementation support
- networking opportunities
- exposure to industry good practice including case studies and site visits
- all training materials.
- Environmental Management Systems
- Resource Efficiency
- Energy
- Water
- Purchasing
- Transport.
Benefits of BITES
By the time the programme is complete, you will have a basic environmental management system along with a plan aimed at saving you a minimum of one per cent of your company turnover.Other benefits
BITES is built around the particular needs of participating companies.You will have access to:
- specialist experts in the fields of environment, waste and energy
- training and support
- cost saving opportunities
- assistance in the introduction of environmental management systems
- assistance and advice on assuring legislative compliance
- networking opportunities
- Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment Accreditation
- environmental advisory and information services.
2009 particpipants
Twelve companies participated in the BITES programme in 2009. The companies were 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 £240,000
- over 800MWh of energy savings
- 35 tonnes of materials avoided
- 148 tonnes of waste diverted from landfill and recycled
- 183 tonnes of landfill reduced.
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) from IEMA which will give Continuing Professional Development (CPD) points that can be used in obtaining IEMA membership.
In addition, participants will also gain CAT (Credit Accumulation and Transfer) points which can be used towards diplomas, postgraduate certificates and masters degrees.
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.
Contact us
For more information on this initiative contact:
Shane Kelland
Economic Development Officer
Telephone: 028 9091 8771
Email: kellands@belfastcity.gov.uk
This project is part financed by the European Regional Development Fund under the European Sustainable Competitiveness Programme for Northern Ireland.
