Business leaders across Staffordshire are praising a funding scheme which has enabled them to launch projects to reduce their carbon footprint.
More than 145 firms have received grants under the Low Carbon Business Evolution Programme.
The programme, which has delivered £1.1 million funding, is estimated to reduce carbon emissions by more than 2,250 tonnes annually.
Taylor’s Classics, based in Stafford, received £10,000 towards the cost of a new wood burner and LED lights for their 40,000 square feet furniture warehouse. They hope to save £23,524 and the equivalent of 14.72 tonnes of CO2 per year.
Richard Forrester, Warehouse Manager, said: “These investments have helped reduce waste, improve efficiency, save money, and become more self-sustainable as a business.”
Walpole Fine Bone China, a family-run ceramics manufacturer in Stoke-on-Trent, received £9,898 towards the cost of new more energy efficient compressors and LED lights.
Carole Knight, Sales and Marketing Director, said: “The whole process has been so straightforward, well organised and thoroughly professional.”
Cannock-based ATP Group Industries received £20,000 for lighting and infra-red heating.
Mark Bowen, Group Sales Director, said: “The installation of low energy lighting is a great catalyst both in reducing operating cost on utility spend and in making a huge difference to all our staff.”
Dog & Bone Properties received £3,386 towards a smart heating control system, costing just £5,645, for their Aparthotel building in Newcastle-under-Lyme. They expect to make annual energy savings of around £13,885, and the equivalent of a 66.5 tonnes of CO2.
Ashley Booth, Project Manager at the group, said: “We are very pleased with the end result and urge other businesses to use the programme.”
The Low Carbon Business Evolution Programme, run by Staffordshire County Council in partnership with Staffordshire Business and Environment Network, is part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund and Midlands Engine.
Under the scheme, more than 350 businesses have been supported with free energy efficiency reviews.
