NetRegs - Waste not, want not: Environmental issues high on the
construction agenda
NetRegs, the government website that provides clear
guidance on environmental regulations, is urging small
businesses in the construction industry to visit
www.netregs.gov.uk to find out about their environmental
obligations and how to comply.
This follows the results of a survey into small business
attitudes towards the environment.
The YouGov survey, commissioned by NetRegs and released
today, found that small business owners in the UK are
becoming increasingly concerned about the environment.
Nearly three quarters (74%) of the small and
medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) polled believe good
environmental practice is important to small businesses,
and nearly four fifths (79%) know more about
environmental issues than they did five years ago.
Respondents in the construction industry identified
waste disposal as a real area of concern for the
industry; more than three quarters (80%) identify it as
a problem, compared with two thirds (67%) of small
businesses across all sectors.
When it comes to environmental regulations that affect
their particular industry, many construction businesses
are still unaware of their obligations. More than one
third (34%) of those working in construction admit they
aren’t familiar with any of the environmental
legislation that applies to their industry, compared
with one fifth (21%) in the agricultural sector, over
half (52%) in manufacturing and nearly two thirds (60%)
across small businesses as a whole.
The huge majority (86%) of small businesses across all
sectors say it is important to comply with environmental
regulations by disposing of waste in an environmentally
friendly manner. Furthermore, the results show small
businesses are also keen for those they work with to
comply with environmental regulations. The same number
(86%) feel it is important that contractors they employ
also dispose of waste properly, although nearly two
thirds (63%) admit they would not always check to make
sure that they actually do. Nevertheless, over half
(53%) would rather employ a contractor who complies with
environmental legislation than one who doesn’t – even if
it costs more to do so.
Richard Martin, NetRegs Programme Manager, said: “This
research shows that small businesses are taking their
environmental responsibilities seriously and what's more
they expect the businesses they work with to do the
same. We know construction businesses across the country
are working hard to make their operations safer and
cleaner. But too many are still unaware that NetRegs
gives them the information and guidance they need to
clean up their business practices and meet their
environmental obligations.”
John Holbrow, Environmental Chairman of the Federation
of Small Businesses, said: “Some
environmentally-friendly practices are obligatory.
Others, such as saving money on energy and fuel, just
make good business sense. The results of this research
show small businesses understand they need to take their
environmental obligations seriously. We encourage small
businesses to use NetRegs for clear guidance on
regulation and the waste directory to find local
licensed recycling sites.”
NetRegs, www.netregs.gov.uk, provides small and
medium-sized businesses with clear, plain language
guidance on environmental regulations and how to comply.
With an easy-to-use navigation menu and search
mechanism, users can find guidance whatever their
business. To keep up-to-date, businesses can register on
NetRegs to receive regular email updates about changes
to environmental legislation. These e-alerts can be
tailored to provide information relating specifically to
business type.
A Waste Directory on the website provides details of
local waste management sites, so users can be sure they
are working with licensed operators. It also enables
users to select recycling in preference to disposal
facilities.
Email:
pippa@forster.co.uk
Arundel Jones Associates Ltd
Hill Farm, Linton Hill, Maidstone, Kent ME17 4AL
Tel : 01622 745333
news@buildingdesign.co.uk
Registered in England and Wales No. 07334149
News Categories : Environmental regulations for
businesses
Construction industry waste
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Environmental
regulations for businesses 
