2019 Annual Review

Highlights of 2019

Chair & Vice Chairs Reports 2019

Steering Group Members

BESST Membership – benefits and support

2019 Events

Strategy & Consultations

BESST Member Testimonials

BESST 2019 Annual Review:

BESST Chair Report - 2019

Welcome to new and potential members, and to our existing members, thank you for your

commitment to being BESST!

In the incredible Climate Crisis atmosphere of 2019, BESST and our sector intelligence has made an

amazing contribution to sustainability on both a regional and national scale. It has been my privilege to

represent BESST in a variety of forums this year, ensuring the issues you have told us about are

reflected in local and national strategy

With our voice represented at the strategic level, we now need to focus

on engaging more organisations to join us, and so our ‘ask’ for 2020 is

for BESST members to engage their sector partners and supply chains

(i.e. suppliers, energy providers, recycling contractors) and bring them

to BESST events to join with us

Read Andy’s Chair report in full here

BESST wouldn’t exist without the support of its members, so many thanks for your continuous support over 2019. The Public Services (Social Value) Act requires people who commission public services to think about how they can also secure wider social, economic and environmental benefits. Social value is not just important to the Public Sector but to the commercial sector too. I believe BESST delivers social value benefits to its members as well as environmental benefits. Read Manel’s Vice-Chair report in full here:

BESST Vice-Chairs Reports - 2019

A massive thank you to all the SME members for continuing to support BESST, and

may I take this opportunity to remind you that BESST is here to support you and it

is critical that you participate in setting our agenda for the coming year to enable

the Steering Committee to focus on the areas that are the biggest concern for you,

don’t be shy - email Jacs today. One of the highlights of the year was once again the

BESST awards, attendance was much better than last year and continues to offer a

great opportunity to recognise the excellent work achieved and congratulate the all

too often unsung heroes that work in all our organisations.

Read Mark’s Vice-Chair Report in full here:

Manel Roura, BESST Vice-Chair/Lyreco

Mark Simmons, BESST Vice-Chair/Salop Holdings

Steering Group Members

Martin Booth, DENSO

Paul Nelms, Epwin GroupManel Roura, BESST Vice-Chair/Lyreco

Barbara Taylor, Ironbridge Gorge

Museums

Mark Simmons, BESST Vice-Chair/Traffic Sign Solutions

Jaclyn Kitson, JK Consultancy

Paul Hayward, Environment Agency

Andy Whyle, BESST Chair/Ricoh

2019 Events

April: The annual Back 2 Basics which showcased our 2018 Award Winners, Love Your Rivers Telford, EV Charging Strategy and a Circular Economy case study event overview

June: BESST Biodiversity day at Coalbrookdale Arboretum where members worked to clear and tidy this well established area, replaced benches and cleared pathways to help ensure visitor safety event overview

July: At our Circular Economy event this year we heard from IEMA’s Head of Policy & Engagement on their Circular Economy activities and also from Andy & Manel who both gave case studies of how the CE can be applied from strategic level to being delivered practically in the workplace. Event overview

2019 Events

September: Speakers at the Compliance event included the Environment Agency who shared case studies of businesses causing water pollution issues, waste crime, WEEE legislation updates and extended producer responsibilities, the work we have been doing with the UK Resources Council. Event overview

November: our 5th annual awards event and with the highest number of awards submitted this year we are delighted at the contributions that businesses are making to address environmental issues. Event overview

Network driven - Identifying ‘business pain’ and creating workshops to help members address them.

November: 60 students from University College London visited Telford 6th November and were hosted at both Lyreco and AceOn Group.

8 12/10/2019

• Linking with Community Participation Team –Telford & Wrekin Council• Sustainable Community woodland – Hem Wood • Tackling historical fly tipped business waste• Clearing area for future monitoring / engagement of adjacent businesses • Expanding the managed woodland area for community engagement :(education /

business / volunteer training)

May 2019

June 2019

Sept 2019

• Area remains clear,

• Company contacts established if problem reoccurs

• 2 of the 3 companies have erected new fencing to contain their waste

• New area can now be worked on (safely) expanding the sustainable woodland.

• Partnership working – BESST, T&W Street Champions, Telford College

2019 BESST Biodiversity: Pied Flycatcher Survey

2019 BESST Sector Intelligence: UK Government Strategy Support

❑ 25 Year Environment PlanClean air, water, thriving plants and wildlife. Using resources from nature more sustainably and efficiently. Minimising waste

❑ Clean Growth StrategyAccelerating clean growth, Improving business and industry efficiency, homes low carbon transport, clean power

❑ From waste to resource productivityPolicy advisory report to unlock productivity by moving from creating waste to valuing

resources. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/from-waste-to-resource-productivity

❑ Resources & Waste strategypreserve material resources by minimising waste, promoting resource efficiency and moving towards a circular economy

2019 BESST Strategic development

Marches LEP Energy Strategy consultation

Marches Nature Partnership – Marches BEN –Sustainability West Midlands- WMCA

UK Resources Council – Nationwide sector deal to increase Recycling Infrastructure

IEMA Resources and Waste Strategy consultations and Webinars

UCS CREST Industry Advisory Panel

WRAP Resource Efficiency Clusters Report

Telford Business Board

BESST Member Testimonial: Staysafe PPE Ltd

‘Staysafe PPE Ltd have been members of BESST for 18 months and find it an

invaluable platform for sharing best practice. Guest speakers highlight important

environmental issues and invariably there are best practice solutions to overcome

them, and open forums to discuss these issues.’

‘BESST keeps us abreast of legislation changes, shares information on grants which

are available for various green projects such as Beep, an initiative to save electricity

by upgrading equipment, machinery and lighting.’

‘We have also had invaluable support from members who now re-cycle their PPE

through us, and collectively help us to save 63,500 items a month from landfill and

unnecessary destruction.’

Denise Brinton, Managing Director:

BESST Member Testimonial – Environment Agency

“Being a member of BESST means your company stays up to date with the latest environmental legislation, advice and guidance. Workshops and events with other local companies and environmental regulators such as the EA means your company gets expert advice on:

Preventing your waste from being mismanaged

Preventing pollution from your site

What to do in an emergency

Reducing your waste disposal costs

Reducing your energy costs

As a result your company

Is less likely to end up in court

Can reduce some of those bills

Helps to protect the wider environment

Paul Hayward,

Land & Water Team Leader–Environment

Agency

BESST SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS AWARDS 2019 Highly Commended

WinnersWaste Management Waste management Employee Engagement Community engagement

Greening your supply chain Product innovation Innovation Sustainable leadership

BESST Membership: Support & Benefits

Advice and guidance to help make cost savings from reduced waste and energy useSupport ahead of forthcoming legislation changesThe knowledge to increase your competitive advantage An exchange of information and best practice ideas whilst networking with like-minded individualsSite visits and confidential guidance from steering group members Knowing you are not alone on your sustainability journey A carbon monitoring tool (with support if needed) – free to BESST members Support with developing CSR policies Workshops and events on topical issues which can be further tailored to support you Increases sustainability of your organisation Improving your business continuity