Business Environmental Support and Training

The Business Environmental Support and Training (BEST) initiative aims to support local business to become more environmentally responsible (for everything from energy efficient equipment and lighting, to reducing packaging, developing monitoring systems and disposing of waste or hazardous chemicals correctly) whilst improving their processes, profitability and competitiveness.

Launched in September 2006 by Ealing Council in partnership with Groundwork West London and  Envirowise, BEST's services will enable businesses to:

A series of BEST workshops and seminars cover general issues and specific environmental issues which affect local businesses.

Services

Recycling commercial waste cooking oil - Free service
Proper Oils Ltd, through Ealing's BEST initiative, can collect your trade waste cooking oil for free. The service is designed to reduce the costs and problems associated with the disposal of waste cooking oil.

Smartworks from Global Action Plan
SMEs (small to medium sized business), not-for-profit organisations and charities that employ fewer than 250 staff in Ealing are eligible for a free environmental review. Smartworks can help: reduce the running costs of your organisation from increased resource efficiency; minimise your organisation's environmental impact; increase its competitiveness, and improve it's environmental credentials.

For food businesses: Greener Food from London Sustainability Exchange
Greener Food offers a programme of free advice and support to help food businesses reduce their waste and increase recycling, save money and boost profits, source food from more sustainable sources, conserve energy and water use, improve marketing opportunities, and sharpen workforce skills.

BEST membership
BEST members also receive regular news emails which detail up-to-date environmental: news, local events, awards, legislation and regulation developments, and funding information for businesses.

A BEST online referral form  is available for businesses that would like to:

In order to benefit from BEST services, organisations need to become members. Membership to BEST is free - to sign up to the initiative or for further information, please contact Alex Beckett, tel: (020) 8825 5313, email: becketta@ealing.gov.uk.

BEST supports the aim of the Ealing Economic Regeneration Strategy to maximise local opportunities and promote the sustainable development of local businesses.

Other useful environmental sustainability information for businesses.

Case studies
Quattro UK Ltd’s ISO 14001 Environmental Management System Implementation (word)

Pieces of You's Totally Sustainable Textiles (word)

Ealing's Commercial Waste Cooking Oil Trial (pdf)

Ealing Council's BEST partners
Envirowise 
Envirowise offers free, confidential advice to UK businesses of all sizes, helping them put the sustainable use of resources at the heart of their business practice.  Since 1994 Envirowise has helped UK businesses save over £1Bn by enabling them to significantly reduce their environmental impact.

Groundwork environmental business services
Groundwork environmental business services works with businesses to improve their environmental performance. They provide practical support, training and advice to companies on environmental business issues. They can also help companies of all sizes and specialisms to realise cost savings through improved environmental performance.

Global Action Plan
Global Action Plan is an environmental charity helping businesses and individuals to make practical changes to reduce their environmental impact and improve their green credentials.