UK Atomic Energy Authority (the Authority) was the runner up in the Thames Valley Business Magazine Awards in the category of Green Progress. Not content with providing research to provide low-carbon energy for the future this shows their commitment to reducing the environmental impact of activities in the workplace today and the vast improvements made in the last year.
The Thames Valley Business Magazine Awards is the premier multi-category business awards scheme in the Thames Valley region. Covering the M4, M40 and M3 corridors, the Awards highlight the best of business in the area – and fly the flag for the Thames Valley. Launched by The Business Magazine in the 1990s, TVBMA has grown in stature and reputation over the years, and in its 19th year, makes the awards the longest running in the region. The awards night celebrated yet more outstanding business enterprise, entrepreneurialism, innovation and best practice.
The award was presented to the Authority’s Head of Safety and Assurance, Colin Shimell (pictured 2nd right) along with the other joint winners Polythene UK, by guest speaker John Sergeant (pictured 1st left), British television and radio journalist and broadcaster and one time BBC’s Chief Political Correspondent. at a gala awards ceremony on 21 November at the Madejski Stadium, Reading.
Environmental Officer Rachel Seymour submitted the application on behalf of the Authority which documented all the highly successful site wide sustainability projects that the Authority has implemented.
For instance:
- redirected general office waste previously sent to landfill now going to an Energy from Waste (EfW) facility – REDUCTION IN CO2e emissions of 93{26b5269ba9efa8bf0dadd5ed8b2cf718b81e75206361096d06e424c8a1f3b697}
- sites street lighting upgraded to high efficiency LED lamps – ESTIMATED ENERGY SAVINGS AT OVER £17K P.A.
- Lighting replacements within buildings and Passive Infrared (PIR) sensors in communal areas – SAVING over 40{26b5269ba9efa8bf0dadd5ed8b2cf718b81e75206361096d06e424c8a1f3b697} on running costs and 15,400kg CO2e P.A.
- extensive recycling scheme: Food scraps and waste from the onsite restaurant is collected and sent for anaerobic digestion Used cooking oil is recycled into biodiesel for use as a fuel. Coffee grounds from the onsite Costa Coffee shop are given away to staff for composting at home Over 80{26b5269ba9efa8bf0dadd5ed8b2cf718b81e75206361096d06e424c8a1f3b697} of all waste produced onsite was consistently recovered and/or recycled in the last year
- the Authority maintains its own Green Travel Plan and encourages sustainable transport wherever possible. Cycle to Work events, Bike to Work Schemes and its own car sharing scheme has seen a drop in car drivers from 84.5{26b5269ba9efa8bf0dadd5ed8b2cf718b81e75206361096d06e424c8a1f3b697} in 2007 to 79{26b5269ba9efa8bf0dadd5ed8b2cf718b81e75206361096d06e424c8a1f3b697} today. Electric transporter vehicles used on site.
For a full list of the Authority’s achievements – please see the attached application
The UK Atomic Energy Authority has an Environmental Management System (EMS) which has been certified against ISO 14001 since 2003 and a comprehensive Environmental Awareness training programme for all employees is in operation. Coming 2nd in the Green Progress award category encapsulates all the hard work from many people spread across various departments who strive to improve their environmental performance.
