Go green, save your pennies
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YOUR ARTICLE "Going green" (CM 4 November), advising readers to understand and incorporate the principles of environmental sustainability into their business practices, was of' great interest.
As you wrote, there are a number of options to access help with external accreditation to ensure a robust methodology. However, the schemes you referred to have a fee attached to the service. In the current financial climate, it is important for readers to also know about free alternatives to -going green" so they do not feel all environmentally sustainable practices have to cost money
For example, the free ECU Stars (Efficient and Cleaner Operations) Fleet Recognition Scheme which was launched in January 2009 by South Yorkshire's air quality campaign, Care4Air, as part of the drive to improve the quality of air across the region. Thirty organisations operating nearly 5.000 vehicles have signed up to the scheme.
And ECU Stars is growing: a launch into the Mid-Devon area is planned for January 2010.
Donald Chalker ECOStars Scheme Manager