Lancaster Environment Centre

A report, undertaken by graduate consultant Vicky Smith over 5 weeks, evaluated water and waste minimisation opportunities for C. & G. Neve Limited, a fish processing company based in Fleetwood. This was done in an attempt to reduce utility bills. Having evaluated water use within the company, the report recommended alternative equipment which could be utilised to reduce water use.

According to Colin Newton, of the company, “Without LEC we would have had to evaluate internally. LEC offered us an outside perspective as sometimes, internally, you miss things…The catchment bins had been considered previously by the management but the report, again, highlighted their benefits to us.”

Due to rising energy bills, NTG Papermill sought to investigate alternative methods of generating electricity. The 5-week study investigated the costs, savings, and payback periods for potential wind and microhydro power implementation at the site, whilst providing some additional information on the potential for energy generation from pulp waste.

Stuart Ede, Group Environmental and Quality Manager at the paper mill, gave the following feedback. ”The Desire project has enabled us to investigate options for energy reduction plans which otherwise would never have been considered, due to costs of feasibility studies and provided an excellent report to allow consideration of implementation of projects, we hope to work with LEC again in coming months."

A short project for Gafoor Poultry Products Ltd., a halal meat processing unit based in Preston, was conducted by graduate consultant Anna Carroll, in relation to the Animal By-Product (ABP) regulations 2005. The company required assistance relating to the implementation of suitable ways of working in relation to the ABP legislation. The project made several recommendations relating to ABPs to assist with Gafoor’s commitment to full compliance with the legislation.

“LEC helped us to translate a complex new legislation into real life terms and assisted us greatly in adapting to the new legal requirements.” Tahir Vaza – Managing Director, Gafoor Poultry Products Ltd.

Flexcrete Technologies Ltd. is a Preston based company specialising in the production and supply of polymer modified cementitious mortar and coating products.

The 5-week project, conducted by Environmental Science student Laura Cunningham, reviewed waste mapping and minimisation opportunities at the company. Through mapping sources and amounts of waste within the company, and research into the Best Available Techniques, the report declared that the company was generally following good waste management practices. The report recommended a continual process of re-evaluating waste management practices and suggested ways of reducing waste management costs.

Future Amtec, based in Preston, provides underground asset investigation services utilising CCTV and Sonar technologies to customers nationwide, including several of the major utilities companies. The company had 2 projects conducted for them, both completed by Environmental Science graduate Kiran Woolhead.

For the initial 5-week project, a baseline environmental assessment of the company with specific regard to its compliance with environmental legislation, and its overall environmental impact, was undertaken. The report concluded that the company has a small environmental impact overall, but that certain measures could be taken to reduce this impact nevertheless. The report also suggested that environmental awareness should be promoted at all levels within the company.

The 3-month dissertation project built upon the first project by devising an Environmental Management System in line with BS EN ISO 14001, and an Environmental Operational Procedure Manual for the company.

A 5-week project was undertaken by graduate consultant Ian Ramsbottom for Enterprise Generator Business Solutions, a resident company within the Lancaster Environment Centre, which involved the creation of a presentation for the company to use as a means of informing potential clients on REACH management and how it will affect their companies. The report also suggested ways in which Enterprise Generator could improve its profile through marketing and by targeting specific sectors of industry.

Small World Consulting is an environmental consultancy that helps organisations develop a strategic response to sustainability issues. A 3-month report was undertaken for the company by graduate consultant Oliver Hanscomb which investigated stakeholder perceptions of carbon management at Lancaster University. The report revealed the high degree to which many staff and students care about the issues and the extent to which the university's response affects how they feel about working and studying here. The report is already being used by Small World Consulting to inform several of its clients, including public sector organisations.

Wesmar Bioenergy is an alternative energy producer based near Preston. For this 3-month project, graduate consultant student, Louise Jane Craig, conducted a Life Cycle Assessment of a proposed biodiesel plant. The assessment revealed that the plant would be sustainable and the biodiesel product would be renewable. The assessment also assessed how much fossil diesel would be replaced, but warned that the plant may not be self-sufficient due to the different requirements for producing bioethanol also.