Overview

This pilot project has delivered free business environmental / resource efficiency audits to 10 independent, local businesses in Totnes. It was delivered in partnership with Totnes & District Chamber of Commerce and Envirowise, who gave free, onsite advice to companies about how they can save money through: 

1. 1) Using less water, electricity, gas and oil. 
2. 2) Minimising the amount of waste they produce (directly or indirectly).

Envirowise offers UK businesses free, independent, confidential advice and support on practical ways to increase profits, minimise waste and reduce environmental impact. Envirowise is funded by DTI and DEFRA.

The focus of this first stage is on the high street and it included a representative mix of businesses. The audit visits each took about an hour and identified a range of actions each business could take to reduce their costs, and in turn, their reliance on oil and other costly fossil fuels. A report was issued to each participating organisation and a follow-up visit will hopefully be conducted about 6 months later.

On completion of the pilot project discussions will be held about making  free audits available to all businesses - however the funding for Envirowise is currently under review and may not allow further expansion of this project (as of Oct 08). With permission, case studies may be produced and shared with other businesses in the town so they can also benefit from taking similar actions.

This project is run by the Economics & Livelihoods Group. 

Contact

If you have any questions about this project, or you want to get involved please email res-eff.totnes@transitionnetwork.org