EVIDENCE OF SAVINGS PRODUCED BY THE WATERLESS URINAL PROJECT IN PDC PUBLIC CONVENIENCES

In 2006/7 and 2007/8 the cost of water to service public conveniences (PC's) in Purbeck was £25,571 and £25,438 respectively.

Following research into the "Eco cube" waterless toilet system  by the Senior Environmental Services Officer it was decided that PDC would trial the system in selected facilities during 2008/9.

The Eco cube system uses blocks of micro organisms to keep urinals clean and free of odors thus enabling the water supply to the urinals to be turned off with potential savings on water bills. The trial, including at the Quay in Wareham, proved that provided the cleansing regime is correctly adhered to, the system works and was subsequently rolled out to all facilities in Purbeck.

In 2008/9 the cost of water in all of the PC's was £11,679 the cost of the Eco cubes (cubes and spray) was £1,986 bringing the total cost to £13,666 a saving of  £11,772  year on year.

Although we do not have full year figures for 2009/10 the savings look as good if not better.

THE SOUTH WEST REGIONAL ASSESSMENT CENTRE

The SWRAC was formed in 1996 to provide training, assessment and consultancy services to the waste and environmental industries throughout the UK. Our courses feature the latest qualifications for waste and recycling professionals, including continuing competence, the new scheme required by CIWM and WAMITAB and the new Driver CPC requirement for lorry drivers.

For further details contact SWRAC on 01202 848099  mail@swrac.co.uk  http://www.swrac.co.uk/

Please see details for the following courses:

Continuing Competence Course

Driver CPC

 

SUCCESS STORY

Durable (UK) are a company based on the Ferndown Industrial Estate in Dorset. The company have recently trialed the Eco Cube with the following results:

" Consumption at our operation on Ferndown Industrial Estate averages 15 cubic metres per month at a cost of circa £720 p.a. As this comprises offices and warehousing with no manufacture our water usage is limited to drinking, cleaning and toilets (2 of which are urinals). I therefore expected to show significant savings if the Ecocube proved successful as urinal flushing is notoriously heavy on water. This solution appealed as unlike others I have seen it is very simple to implement - you just switch off the water supply and place the cubes in your urinals. If it does not work you simply switch the water again. It also is a biological and non hazardous application.Ian kindly provided some cubes and special cleaning solution and the trial started on 19th September".

Results

For the period 19th September to date our water consumption has reduced from 15 cubic metres per month to 12 cubic metres per month, a 20% reduction. This should equate to a £144 per annum saving on our water bills.

The solution has proved practical to implement and there have been no adverse effects (such as smell).

Each cube lasts 3 to 4 weeks so I estimate annual costs to be £60 to £80 on cubes and £40 on cleaning solution.

Whilst the net saving is small there is a saving. Our water usage is reduced, an improvement consistent with our objective of retaining our accreditation to ISO14001.

For bigger installations the savings could obviously be far more significant.

RESOURCE EFFICIENCY CLUB: BOWLPLEX SUCCESS  

Bowlplex has 16 bowling centres in the UK and used diachroic halogen lamps as part of their lighting solution.  Operation is 7 days a week and around 16 hours per day.   The halogens are being replaced by 7watt compact fluorescents of the same shape, hence no change to the 'atmosphere'.
This is generating an annual saving over £40,000 and payback in under 4 months (even ignoring the reduced heat / aircon load).    Lamps were supplied by Powertech Solar of Ferndown Uk.
This is one of several Resource Efficiency initiatives being undertaken by this forward thinking business.
Workplace Sense was one of three consultant/mentors, under the Envirowise funded Resource Efficiency Club (REC) scheme, managed by Dorset Business and supported by the South Wessex Waste Minimisation Club. The Dorset REC helped generate over £261,000 of savings for Dorset based companies in the implementation year ended November 2007.  

WEEE: Are you Compliant? 

The WEEE regulations were introduced to tackle the growing amount of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE). The Regulations apply to all companies who import,manufacture or re-brand electrical equipment in the UK. You will have to finance the treatment, recovery and disposal of WEEE. They also affect everyone who uses, sells, treats or disposes of WEEE.

Every year the UK throws away around 2 million tonnes of WEEE. It is one of the fastest growing waste streams in the UK and the EU. In 2003, the EU adopted the WEEE Directive to deal with this waste. More waste will be collected for treatment and recovery and less will go to landfill.

For further details please refer to the BERR and/or Environment Agency websites at:

www.berr.gov.uk/innovation/sustainability/weee/

www.environment-agency.gov.uk/weee

Site Waste Management Plans (SWMPs)

SWMPs are an important tool for construction companies, of all sizes, and their clients to improve environmental performance, meet regulatory controls and reduce the rising costs for disposing of waste. They will be a legal requirement soon. For further details look on the Environment Agency website (http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/).

 

The Chartered Institution of Wastes Management (CIWM)

The Chartered Institution of Wastes Management (CIWM), is the professional body which represents over 6,000 waste management professionals - predominantly in the UK but also overseas. The CIWM sets the professional standards for individuals working in the waste management industry and has various grades of membership determined by education, qualification and experience.

 Its Objectives are:

 For full details on the CIWM visit their website at http://www.ciwm.co.uk/

 

HEALTH AND SAFETY AT WORK

Under the Health & Safety Act 1974 employers have legal obligations to their employees to have in place policies, procedures and trained personnel.

IOSH WORKING SAFELY COURSE is a one day certificated course for employees from an industry sector who have no supervisory or managerial responsibilities.

The South West Regional Assessment Centre (SWRAC) delivers the One Day Working Safely Course on a monthly basis in Wimborne.

SWRAC also delivers courses at your workplace to meet your requirements

IOSH MANAGING SAFELY COURSE is a four day certificated course for managers and supervisors in an industry sector or organisation who have responsibilities for mangaging staff and resources in compliance with their organisations policy and best practice in Healt and Safety.

SWRAC is delivering this 4 day intensive course in Wimborne

For details and bookings CONTACT SWRAC on 01202 848099 (swrac@btconnect.com)

SWRAC, Merley House, Merley House Lane, Wimborne, Dorset. BA21 3AA