Local, regional, national and global firms have secured River-Friendly Business status through an initiative which is helping companies work together to tackle water pollution.
Trent Rivers Trust’s River-Friendly Business accreditation scheme is backed by the Environment Agency and Severn Trent and was launched in 2018. It awards businesses based within the Trent catchment Bronze, Silver and Gold status for helping to improve their local water environment. The overriding message is, “Only rain down the drain.”
This year some 10 companies which together employ more than 2,000 staff within former coalfield areas in parts of Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire have officially become River-Friendly Businesses.
Many businesses have a negative impact on the brooks and streams they use or are located by. This project wanted to bring businesses together in a small geographic area, support them to develop more river friendly practices and reduce the risk of water pollution.
By the end of the project many businesses were given awards in recognition of the new practices they had developed around water storage and the management of potential pollutants. Representatives from firms accepted a River-Friendly Business plaque – at a ceremony and online over the lifetime of the project. These events also thanked representatives of the Environment Agency, local councils who had supported the project and honoured community groups and volunteers who have been taking part in Trent Rivers Trust wider The River Starts Here initiative.
The River-Friendly Businesses include the first firms to secure Gold status – chemicals giant BASF plc Alfreton, internationally famous confectioner Ferrero and explosives specialist EPC-UK – along with companies of all shapes and sizes, from world-leading skin care and hand hygiene firm SC Johnson Ltd to Shepherd Hydraulics & Pneumatics Ltd, a small local firm which has become a market leader within its industry.
To become a River-Friendly Business, participants follow 6 steps – from ensuring water drains that lead to brooks are clearly marked to storing oils and chemicals in bunds to contain spills. Bronze award winners make staff aware of the campaign and identify steps they can take; Silver winners carry out actions; and Gold winners embed a river-friendly ethos in their business and support other organisations and through the supply chain.
At Gold level, not only are pollution prevention systems truly embedded, but businesses take the message out to other businesses and display signs promoting the scheme and celebrating their involvement in it. Together with Trent Rivers Trust they have helped to build a culture which attracts and welcomes other businesses to look after their local watercourses. All three Gold winners have also promoted the scheme internationally through their own business communications.
As well as ensuring they have robust systems and procedures in place to prevent pollution, businesses have been raising awareness among their staff about the impact of water pollution on local watercourses. Staff also took part in training and volunteering activities designed to help trace sources of pollution and improve the quality of water in local brooks that lead into the Rivers Amber, Derwent and Erewash.
River-Friendly Business – Gold
River-Friendly Business – Silver & Bronze
The River-Friendly Business accreditation scheme was launched in 2018 and ended in 2022. It formed part of The River Starts Here initiative, which is bringing communities, businesses and other organisations together to make brooks leading into the Rivers Amber, Derwent and Erewash cleaner, more enjoyable and richer in wildlife.
The area covered by the River-Friendly Business scheme includes Alfreton, South Normanton, Huthwaite, Hilcote, Ripley, Denby, Belper, Kirkby-in-Ashfield and Heanor.
enquiries@trentriverstrust.org
The Trent Rivers Trust,
Middle Mill,
Darley Abbey Mills,Darley Abbey,DerbyDE22 1DZ
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