Managing organisations’ energy consumption by reducing the
use of electricity and fossil fuels is a crucial first step for
tackling climate change. Further steps include addressing less
obvious uses of energy, for example by reducing the amount of water
being used and the amount of waste being generated in an
organisation.
Reducing water consumption
The following questions are designed to get you thinking about
how you can reduce the amount of water that is used within your
building(s). Eliminating wasteful practices will have an indirect
affect on your energy consumption and will also help to improve
your overall sustainability.
- Do you have a comprehensive water meter system installed which
identifies how much is being used in each building?
- If there are multiple occupants in your building, are there
meters in place which identify your own water consumption?
- Do you have a database of your water consumption, spanning at
least three years?
- Do you have a target for reducing water use over time?
- Do you have controls installed to minimise water use? (eg
occupant sensors in toilets)
- Do you have low water use products in place? (eg waterless
urinals)
- Do you have a Sustainable Urban Drainage System (SUDS) in
place?
- Do you have a rain water harvesting system?
Addressing the above issues will enable organisations to better
understand their current impact with regards to water consumption.
Companies will also be able set targets for reducing water use.
Managing waste
The following questions are designed to get you thinking about
how you can reduce the waste that is generated in your building(s).
Eliminating wasteful practices will have an indirect affect on your
energy consumption and will also help to improve your overall
sustainability.
- Are you aware of your legal obligations, eg Duty of Care,
Hazardous Waste?
- Is there data available on the waste type, amount of waste
produced and what happens to it?
- Is there a waste minimisation policy in place (ie not producing
place in the first place)?
- Is there a reuse and recycling policy in place?
- Is there a composting policy in place for biodegradable waste,
eg certain food waste?
- Are there any targets for waste management?
- Are any waste management awareness / training sessions
carried out?
- Is there room to store recyclable waste onsite?
- Are you working in partnership with your waste management
contractor?
- Are separate bins provided for recyclable waste?
- Is any waste pre-treated before it leaves your site, eg
compacted?
- Do you work with community groups / charities in relation to
waste?
Addressing the above issues will enable organisations to better
understand their current impact with regards to waste generation.
Companies will also be able set targets for reducing waste at
source as well as increasing the amount of recycling that takes
place.
External links
Envirowise – http://www.envirowise.gov.uk/
Smartwaste (deals with broader construction waste issues) –
http://www.smartwaste.co.uk/
Further advice
BRE is on hand to provide further advice and support on
monitoring, controlling and minimising your waste and your water
consumption. Contact 0845 1 369 210 for more information.