Broadly speaking, the carrier bag levy means that most retailers now need to charge their customers at least 5p for each new single use bag supplied to customers. The charge applies to all single use carrier bags, not just plastic bags. Currently, the charge is not applicable to ‘bags for life’, as long as they meet certain regulatory requirements.  It is also worth noting that the charge does not only apply to customers who take their own shopping away in person but also in the case of deliveries, either by the seller or a third party, which are made using single use bags, as well as items collected from a different location to where they were purchased.

There are, however, a number of specific exemptions from the charge on grounds such as patient confidentiality, hygiene and food safety and for the protection of both goods and consumers.  Interestingly, the charge also does not apply where no goods have actually been purchased eg for bags used when giving away free promotional items.

What Records Must Be Kept?
The new regulations mean that sellers must keep and retain very thorough records of the single use carrier bags which they issue to their customers.  These records must include things like the number of single use carrier bags supplied to customers, the gross proceeds received, any amount of chargeable VAT relating to the 5 pence minimum charge and the net proceeds of the charge. This information must be retained for 6 years.

How is the levy paid to the DOE?
Money collected from the levy must be paid to the Department of the Environment. In order to pay, businesses should register online with them. Once registered, they will be able to manage their returns online.

What happens if a business doesn’t comply?
Failure to charge the levy, failure to pay the proceeds of the charge to the Department and failure keep, retain or supply records all constitute potential breaches of the Regulations and could result in the seller facing civil sanctions, which include variable monetary penalties of up to £20,000.

Handy Hints to make sure that your business complies!
• Provide clear information to customers – the DOE has produced a series of posters which can be displayed in premises
• Recording data regularly will ensure that it is accurate
• Be sure to back up data so that records are not lost and also store them securely
• Ensure that all staff are fully trained and aware of the environmental benefits

This only provides a very brief overview to the new procedures so much more detailed information on the carrier bag levy and the obligations it creates for business, including details on what constitutes a ‘single use’ carrier bag, can be found at http://www.nidirect.gov.uk/guidance-on-single-use-carrier-bags-charge-regulations-2013.pdf

The content of this article is provided for information purposes only and does not constitute professional or other advic

Fundamentally, the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) develops and publishes international standards designed to ensure that products and services are safe, reliable and of good quality. For businesses, when they are applied as a strategic tool they will reduce costs by minimising waste and errors and increasing productivity. Looking forward, however, they are becoming increasingly important as government departments and other procurers are insisting on organisations being accredited by external bodies, such as ISO, as a means of guaranteeing quality of services/operations.

ISO standards can be applied across a wide range of business activities, including quality management, social responsibility, risk management, energy management and, in terms of our own sector, environmental management. With regard to best practice, however, we would encourage every business to consider using the ISO methodology to quality assure their environmental credentials.

ISO and the Environment

The ISO 14000 family of standards relates specifically to Environmental Management. ISO 14001:2004 focus on environmental management systems and can be certified by an external body.

ISO 14001:2004 maps out a framework that a company or organisation can follow to set up an effective environmental management system. It can be used by any organisation, regardless of its activity or sector. Using this standard can provide assurance to company management and employees, as well as external stakeholders, that environmental impact is being measured and improved.

The potential benefits of ISO Environmental Standards for your business include:

• Reduced cost of waste management
• Savings in consumption of energy and materials
• Lower distribution costs
• Improved corporate image among regulators, customers, employees and the public
• Improved confidence/trust in your business among customers, employees and the public

To find out more about ISO standards, as well implementing environmental management systems in SMEs, visit www.iso.org.

The content of this article is provided for information purposes only and does not constitute professional or other advice.

The highly acclaimed conference, which was attended by over 330 local managers, was hosted by international speaker and broadcaster, David Meade.  The diverse speaker line-up, which included Nigel Dunlop, CEO of Moy Park; Kathleen Gormley, Principal of Hazelwood Integrated College; Professor Keith Grint of Warwick Business School and Dr Michelle McDowell of BDP, gave a series of insightful presentations.

Kevin Mooney from BWR attended the event and is pictured here with David Meade when he visited the BWR exhibition stand.

Christmas is traditionally a season of plenty – plenty to eat/drink and plenty of gifts, but with all of this festivity and excess comes plenty of extra waste as well. More household waste is created between Christmas and New Year than any other time of the year. In fact, it is estimated that household waste increases by 25% over the festive season. However, it doesn’t have to be this way. Our twelve tips to reduce Christmas waste below can help ensure that you make waste reduction and recycling your new and easy Christmas tradition!

• When doing your Christmas shopping, instead of gathering up lots of plastic bags, take reusable bags with you. They are stronger, hold more and don’t end up in landfill
• When leaving the office before the Christmas holidays, make sure to switch all electrical appliances off completely and don’t leave them on standby
• Consider giving gifts such as tickets and vouchers, which use less packaging
• If you’re given any presents that don’t fit or you don’t want, don’t throw them away. There are lots of charities out there who will pass on gifts to people in need
• Buy rechargeable batteries to go along with electronic toys and dispose of used batteries properly
• Don’t throw away wrapping paper – reuse it instead. Particularly creased pieces can be used to provide protective cushioning to delicate decorations.
• Send Christmas cards made from recycled material and make sure to recycle the cards which you receive
• Buy good quality decorations which can be used year after year and look after them well so they don’t have to be replaced.
• Instead of using old fashioned Christmas lights which use lots of energy and heat, invest in LED lights which use a fraction of the energy that regular bulbs do.
• If you’re hosting a Christmas party use real dishes and crockery instead of disposable ones
• When all of the festivities are over, make sure to recycle your Christmas tree
• Finally, make a New Year’s resolution to reduce your levels of waste, both at work and at home, and recycle more in 2013. It not only makes environmental sense, it makes financial sense too!

The content of this article is provided for information purposes only and does not constitute professional or other advice.

• Give priority to email communication, instead of fax or post. Only print out those pages you really need, and change the default setting on your printer to print double sided documents. Where you have to, use recycled paper. Maybe even consider moving to e-invoicing – not only will you save money on paper and toner but on postage too.

• When printing, don’t use full colour unless necessary. Lighter copies use less toner and that means less cost for you and less toxins on the paper when it eventually gets recycled. Remember to give back empty cartridges to the supplier company. Most suppliers have a free post returns service. • Why not keep used office paper that has only been printed on one side in a drawer so you can reuse it for drafts or perhaps make use of different trays in printers for different types of paper?

• Recycle all paper and avoid putting it in general bins.  It is likely that there is a cost to dispose of your general waste, never mind the cost to the environment of sending it to landfill.

• Make use of your website to house promotional company literature and brochures instead of printing hard copies.   • Choose your office supplies with care, giving priority to rechargeable or reusable stationery, recycled or recyclable materials and products that come with a European ecolabel.

• Buy coffee or tea in a large packet rather than in small packs; you’ll produce less waste and you’ll save money.

• Reduce energy bills by buying electrical equipment with good energy efficiency ratings.  Turning off equipment when it’s not being used over lunch, overnight and when you are away from your desk.

• Think about giving used electronic equipment to associations, who can give it a second life. To arrange a free, no obligation Waste Audit from Bailey Waste Recycling or to find out more about our Free Confidential Shredding Service, contact David Taylor at Bailey Waste Recycling on 028 3834 1449, online at baileywaste.com or via email. For more information on European Waste Reduction Week visit www.ewwr.eu

Andrew Bailey, Managing Director of BWR will join international speaker George Mordaunt, MD of the Mordaunt Group, who will discuss how he pulled himself and his  business back from the brink as a result of the global financial disaster.

Reflecting on 30 years’ experience in running successful businesses, Andrew Bailey will join George to offer his experience and advise on what it takes to flourish in the current climate.

The event, which is free to attend, will be held in Mossley Mill, Newtonabbey on Monday 12th November from 6.30pm-8.30pm.  To reserve a place at the event email jshortt@newtonabbey.gov.uk or call Jean on 028 9034 0017 by Wednesday 7 November 2012.

Under the theme of ‘Premium’, the series will feature technical insurance presentations from industry experts alongside talks focusing on the soft-skills involved in business and management success.  The initiative, developed in partnership with local specialist event and management development consultancy, Podiem, is quickly gathering momentum as those participating reap the rewards of this two pronged approach.

Speaking at the launch event on Thursday 20th September, Elaine Carr, President of the BII, explained “In an increasingly demanding environment it is essential that local insurance firms and professionals continue to seek new and improved ways of doing things.  BII and our partners have drawn together an outstanding line-up that will provide updates on technical insurance topics as well as insights into key business disciplines such as Motivation, Negotiation, Coaching and Customer Focus”.

Following a summer of sporting success it was appropriate that the series kicked off with an address from World Champion Blind Water-skier Dr Janet Gray MBE who spoke on the topic of Motivation and Achievement.

Speaking at the launch, David Taylor, Bailey Waste Recycling said, “Bailey Waste Recycling is pleased to support the BII Masterclass series. We have enjoyed engaging with members of the insurance institute here today and look forward to supporting the local insurance industry throughout the series and beyond.”

The series has already attracted over 130 season ticket holders and will continue with five more Masterclasses between October 2012 and March 2013. Both members and non-members of BII are welcome to attend.  For more information on the series visit www.podiem.com/bii or call Kevin Kelly on 028 9076 1030.

Bailey Waste Recycling is delighted to have helped St Mary’s Primary School Carland celebrate their centenary year by choosing them to launch the new Cash for Trash initiative.

Cash for Trash provides schools with the opportunity to raise valuable funds whilst also giving pupils, parents and staff the opportunity to do their bit for the environment. Each pupil at St Mary’s Primary School was given a Shred-a Bag to take home and fill with old newspapers and magazines. Bailey Waste Recycling representatives were on hand at the School’s centenary outside broadcast with BBC Radio Ulster’s Hugo Duncan to collect the paper material for recycling.

Speaking at the event, David Taylor from Bailey Waste Recycling said, “We have been thrilled with the response from the pupils and parents at St Mary’s Primary School and are pleased that we have been able to make a donation to school funds in return. I would like to congratulate everyone at the school for reaching their target of 100 bags for 100 years.” Mr Taylor continued “the Bailey Waste Recycling motto is ‘Waste shouldn’t have to cost the Earth’ and we are determined to help local schools to raise money and also do their bit for the environment at the same time. That is why we are encouraging local schools to participate in the Bailey Waste Cash for Trash scheme.”

Following the great success of Cash for Trash at St Mary’s, we are delighted to be extending the initiative to schools across Northern Ireland in September and we look forward to helping lots more schools to recycle and raise funds in the future!

Pictured: Bailey Waste Recycling was joined by Mike Denver and Raymond Stewart, St Mary’s Primary School, at the launch of Cash for Trash.

Robert Pierce – Pierce Communications

Seamus Reid – Northern Ireland Environment Agency