News

Derbyshire based metal recycling and waste management specialist, Ward, has partnered with the University of Derby to support with its DE-Carbonise project to increase sustainability and reduce emissions among the construction supply chain.

DE-Carbonise is an ERDF funded collaboration between University of Derby, Derby City and Derbyshire County Councils that supports local small and medium sized businesses (SMEs) to radically improve their energy and resource efficiency. It aims to help SMEs based in Derby and Derbyshire, in any industry, to reduce carbon emissions, save costs and become more sustainable through grants, technical support and free site surveys.

As part of this programme, Ward’s sustainability team is working with the University’s Business School to help decarbonise the local construction supply chain. By collaborating with a group of forward looking local contractors it is helping them to innovate and improve their waste practices, moving towards increasingly circular forms of resource management.

Joanne Upton, Environmental Officer at Ward, commented:

“With our extensive experience in bulk metal recycling and ISO accredited waste management solutions we are well placed to support building and construction firms to adopt zero to landfill approach. Ward is  committed to working directly with businesses to help them become more sustainable. This project is a fantastic way for us to engage directly with our local supply chain and SME’s to promote the circular economy, reduce emissions and improve environmental impacts across the region.”

The project offers free onsite carbon reduction surveys to identify ways to cut emissions at businesses. This could result in the implementation of more efficient lighting, insulation, heating/cooling systems, through to transport upgrades or cultural behaviour changes.

Grants for between £1,000 and £20,000 are also available to support any carbon reduction measures in Derby and Derbyshire, covering up to 40% of the total cost of works (excluding VAT), depending on the carbon saving.

In addition businesses can receive further technical support, consultancy and process improvements based on recommendations from the carbon reduction report.

Low Carbon Business Network Lead at Derby Business School, Associate Professor, Dr Fred Paterson, added: “The University of Derby is excited to be working with Ward and our DE-Carbonise construction cohort of SMEs to see what we can achieve.

“There is enormous goodwill amongst companies of all sizes in the construction supply chain to collaborate on making the essential shift towards a net-zero carbon economy and our national Clean Growth targets. Ward is a great example of this, and we look forward to working together to find practical solutions that help smaller companies, in particular, contribute to and benefit from the shift to a sustainable construction sector”.

The DE-Carbonise project is part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020. For more information visit: www.derby.gov.uk/decarbonise.