News

“It is commercial, not ‘save the planet’.”
David English, Restore, Redhill

Network Update – March 2014

Welcome to March’s Network Update. This month; New waste carrier rules; Green internships; Heat pump and BMS presentations; Solar PV breakfast; Ride the Wave Workshop; VAT and CCL; Reaching Rio!

Shoreham-Port-SolarSolar PV Breakfast – 19th March

Join us in Burgess Hill on the 19th March for the next of our Sustainable Business Breakfast learning and networking events. Our focus is solar PV and well hear from local experts PDP Electrical, a member of the Mid Sussex District Council Planning Team and Shoreham Port who have installed two large solar arrays. To book, please email us or call 01444 477501. The cost is £20 or £30 for two. View the event programme.

Funding for Environmental SMEs for Green Internships

Grants to cover up to 60% of the cost of employing a graduate intern for six weeks (typically around £1,030) are available to environmental sector SMEs based in the Coast to Capital area. The funding is managed through the University of Brighton who can also help you identify and develop a graduate level project for your intern to complete and help recruit and short-list candidates. More information.

Presentations: Energy Efficiency BreakfastNewhaven-Breakfast

Thanks to all that attended last month’s Sustainable Business Breakfast in Newhaven and our speakers from Ecosphere Renewables, Trend Control Systems and Zebedee’s Lunch Box. Their presentations on air-source heat pumps, building management systems and site-wide energy and water efficiency can be found on our website.

Course: Sustainability in the Workplace – 1st April, Brighton

Are rising utility costs reducing your margins? Are customers questioning your green credentials? Then don’t miss this half-day workshop for which will help you identify opportunities to save money through improving energy and water efficiency and reducing waste. It is free to attend for businesses with premises as part of the Brighton & Hove Chamber of Commerce Ride the Wave programme. Information and bookings.

Did You Know? Reduced Rate VAT and CCL Rules…

If you use less than 33 kWh of electricity or 145 kWh of gas per day you are eligible to pay reduced rate VAT (5%) and for an exemption from the Climate Change Levy on the energy supplied, even if you are a business. An incentive for small organisations to improve energy efficiency. Further details can be found on the HMRC website.

New Waste Carrier Licencing Rules

Since January 2014, any organisation that regularly transports their own waste as part of their business activities needs to register as a Waste Carrier. This is a step-up in legislation – previously only organisations transporting or handling third-party waste or construction and demolition waste needed to register. Two tiers of Waste Carrier Licencing have been introduced however, so that organisations just carrying their own waste material are able to register as Lower Tier, free of charge. More information and on-line registration.

And finally…

5-day Environmental Auditing Course – Details
By the University of Brighton. May and October dates available.

Wanted: old solar thermal panel – Contact us
By Newhaven renewable energy training centre. Does not need to work.

Reaching Rio! Two week workplace wellbeing challenge – Website
Open to Sussex based employers, to encourage exercise. Prizes to be won!

Lewes District Business Awards open for entry – Categories
Who’ll scoop the Clean, Green & Marine award? Application deadline 14th March.

Support for East Sussex Businesses to Reduce Travel Costs – Details
From Sustrans. Services include travel planning and intra business competitions.