The Liverpool Green Event
From cars to printers cartridges, batteries to paper, the ‘Comply or Waste Opportunity: The Liverpool Green Event 2007’, is designed to help Merseyside’s small businesses meet new environmental regulations.
The Liverpool Green Event 2007 will take place at Liverpool Digital (Edge Lane Liverpool L7) on Thursday 1 March 2007 between 8.30am - 4.00pm.
Organised by Liverpool John Moores University's Engineering Development Centre, which is part funded by the European Regional Development Fund, this one day event is designed to give SMEs practical advice on how they can 'go green'.
Event Organiser Lorraine Yeates explained:
''Up to now very small SMEs have been exempt from the new environmental legislation because their environmental footprint was viewed as negligible. This all changed on 1 January 2007 and now all SMEs, regardless of size, will have to work within the legislation or face what could be hefty fines or even closure.
''The Liverpool Green event will give companies the most up-to-date information on how to reduce their environmental impact and safeguard the future of their business. With so much at stake can businesses afford not to come along?"
Companies will also be able to find out how they can drive down pollution by using more environmentally friendly fuels and cars, as 'Sparky Cars', Liverpool's 'green car show', will run in tandem with the business event.
Sparky Cars will showcase electric cars, vans and other models by local company Tyc Track. Delegates will also be able to see the one of the world's first hybrid rally cars, plus there will be exhibitions by Friendly Fuels, Bridgegreen Environmental Finance, WhizzGo and the Green Car Guide.
Paul Clarke, from the Green Car Guide said:
"We are looking to encourage motor manufacturers to design great cars that are fun to drive, but with a focus on significantly improving their performance in the areas of fuel-efficiency and environmental impact, and to finally break our addiction to oil. The Green car guide is designed to celebrate manufacturers developing more environmentally-friendly cars and to inform car buyers about the best green choices."
According to Environmental Agency estimates, SMEs produce 60% of commercial waste in England and Wales and are responsible for between 60 and 80% of pollution incidents. Research shows that while the majority of SMEs are willing to change, most have found it difficult to fight through the maze of new environmental legislation to find out which regulations are relevant to their business.
That's where The Liverpool Green Event 2007 can help. Businesses will be able to pick up practical advice on how they can work towards becoming carbon neutral, minimise their waste and recycle more while at the same time reducing overheads and increasing business efficiency.
Representatives from the Environment Agency and the Directives Advisory Service will give sessions on how environmental legislation affects SMEs.
David Owen from the Environment Agency explained:
"All business has some impact on the environment and the collective impact on the SME sector is vast. We believe there are great opportunities for savings that can benefit both the environment and the businesses. The Environment Agency will be offering advice on ways to manage your waste legally and efficiently, including disposing of waste electrical and electronic equipment and other hazardous substances. We will also be telling you how to access free specialist services which can help improve environmental performance, reduce waste and help increase profit."
The event will also feature a 'Business Fair' with exhibitions from local businesses offering 'green' solutions and advice on how companies can reduce their environmental footprint.
Exhibitors will include the Merseyside Business Environment Network (MERBEN), who offer free advice to SMEs on a wide range of environmental issues, Milky Tea, who make furniture from recycled materials, BIFFA, Envirolink and RainbowClean, to name just a few.
Tony Seasman from MERBEN said:
"MERBEN works with businesses on Merseyside to turn negative impacts into positive environmental improvements, often saving significant sums of money in the process."
What's more everyone who signs on as a delegate or exhibitor will be helping to 'green' Merseyside as £10 will be donated to Operation Eden's local regeneration project, 'Adding Colour to Birchfield Bank' for everyone attending the event.
For more information contact Lorraine Yeates or Liz Hoare on 0151 231 2001, email: greenedc@ljmu.ac.uk or visit www.edc.org.uk/events
