Case Studies Article
How an Environmental Management System (EMS) is saving money for a North East business
‘Our new Environmental Management System is reducing our costs as well as our environmental impacts.’ Derek Jenkins, Quicksilver Moving and Storage
The challenge
Quicksilver is an independent removals and storage company. In addition they provide a significant document archive service. In the course of their business, they produce waste in the form of cardboard, packaging and pallets. Quicksilver also destroy unwanted items or documents for their customers.
Removals projects, especially in the commercial sector, may result in waste. The document archive customers require provision of secure destruction of their confidential documents. During the last two years, there has been a rise both in the amount of waste and in energy costs. This has helped concentrate attention on waste management.
Quicksilver had taken some steps to manage their waste but recognised the need to create formal policies and procedures. Where could they get help to continue to cut the costs of waste – and reduce their environmental impact?
The solution
Quicksilver got in touch with the North East Midas team for an independent assessment of Quicksilver’s needs, as well as financial support.
First, the Midas team visited Quicksilver to analyse their waste streams and energy use. Midas identified the need for a formal Environmental Management System (EMS). Quicksilver decided to ask The Environment Practice, a Newcastle-based consultancy with whom they’d already worked, to write and integrate an EMS for them.
Secondly, Midas was able to fund 50% of The Environment Practice’s fees. The new EMS provides clear policies and actions to include resource management in Quicksilver’s daily operations.
The results
By implementing their EMS, Quicksilver have started to reduce both their environmental impacts and costs.
The first step Quicksilver take to reduce waste is to see if they can reuse it. This centres around the pallets and packaging that they use in their business.
If this is not possible they recycle their waste to avoid landfill and associated charges. Quicksilver use private companies who remove recyclable items before disposing of the rest. Quicksilver are currently comparing the services from different companies to ensure there is as much recycling as possible.
Another innovation started by Quicksilver’s EMS is speed limiters for their vehicles. These ensure Quicksilver vehicles use fuel efficiently and produce less carbon emissions.
The future
In the future, Quicksilver intend to gain ISO (International Standards Organisation) accreditation for their EMS. The internationally-recognised standard, ISO 14001, ensures that a company complies with environmental laws and regulations. The accreditation will confirm Quicksilver’s environmental credentials and ensure they have the most efficient waste management system possible.
Quicksilver will continue to monitor their improved waste management. A forthcoming project is to analyse the amount of paper they buy in, and how much paper waste they produce, to identify opportunities for improvements.
Over to you…
Don’t miss out on waste management recommendations from the North East Midas team:
TNEI Services Ltd
7-9 Mosley Street, Kelburn House, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 1YE.
0191 233 9315
More information
For more information on this area, view our section on Cutting the costs of waste disposal