Belfast City Council has launched its latest round the BITES (Business Improvements Through Environmental Solutions) Programme.
Supported by the European Regional Development Fund it is a business development initiative to help companies reduce waste and energy, boost profits and help the environment.
Running for the last two years in the city, the programme’s success has meant that it has now expanded to the district council areas of Carrickfergus, Lisburn and Newtownabbey.
The one-year programme helps businesses to identify opportunities to reduce their use of and better manage resources, namely materials, water, waste and energy which will lead to increasing profits and improved business competitiveness and sustainability.
In the last two years 22 local businesses have completed the programme and collectively have identified over £320,000 worth of collective savings through the support provided.
Alderman Christopher Stalford, Chairman of Belfast City Council’s Development Committee, said: “Sustainability is a key issue for industry and ensuring the participation of businesses in delivering a sustainable future is crucially important.”
Adrian Quinn from Mascott Construction was a previous participant in the programme.
“For businesses in the current economic climate, BITES is a first class programme,” he said.
“It assisted Mascott with the development of our ISO 14001 audit and for the first time in 11 years, we demonstrated real improvements through our ISO system. The programme really got us on the ball.”
Ivan Martin from the North Down Group picked up an award for the most improved business at last September’s BITES Programme Awards ceremony.
He said: “The BITES Programme enabled our company to take a step back and re-assess our operational costs in key areas. As a result, we implemented resource saving measures such as improved insulation in our refrigeration plant, installing more energy efficient lighting and significantly increasing our recycling rates.”
The current BITES programme is open to 35 businesses within the four council areas and is targeted at non Invest NI client businesses who have a combined resource spend (water, waste and energy) of less than £60,000, with the majority of places being awarded to companies with a combined resource spend of £30,000 or less.
The next round of the programme is scheduled to take place in April and businesses who want to take part should contact Belfast City Council’s Economic Development Unit on 028 9091 8771 or email kellands@belfastcity.gov.uk.