2010 Business Winners

 Mill Green Brewery

Mill Green Brewery, from its inception, was an attempt to show that even a high energy business like brewing, could succeed without damaging the environment. Using modern technology, we are doing what our ancestors were doing in rural Suffolk before coal became available, that is using wood to fuel the brewing process. 

Our brewery is constructed with local and low embodied energy materials. The wood we use is 100% renewable and sourced from local woodland; the use of solar panels also means the amount of electricity we use is much reduced.  We have started to grow our own raw materials, barley and hops, in nearby Chelsworth. Hops used to be grown widely in Suffolk until 200 years ago, so we are field trialling eight varieties to see how they fare. Our first crop of organic malting barley is waiting to be malted this month. Waste brewers grains are fed to beef cattle at Brent Eleigh and hops composted. Beer miles are kept to a minimum as our biggest customer is the White Horse Inn next door and other customers for draft real ales are within a 20 mile radius. We are just starting to bottle beers which are in returnable bottles. 

 Port of Felixstowe Travel Plan

The aim of the Port of Felixstowe Travel Plan is to reduce the number of staff travelling to work in Single Occupancy Vehicles (SOVs) whilst promoting other modes of sustainable travel.

Travel Plan Objectives:

  • To recruit a Travel Plan Co-ordinator to maximise success
  • To reduce Single Occupancy Vehicle journeys to and from work to less than 75%
  • To promote greener options for travel at work
  • To encourage employees to use alternative forms of transport –walking, cycling and public transport
  • To contribute to local green initiatives and working groups

Achievements to date:

  • Introduction of a car share scheme with a dedicated website to find travel partners
  • Implementation of an Emergency Ride Home scheme
  • Construction of a cross-dock cycle path
  • Construction of new cycle sheds
  • Met 2009 targets for reducing SOV journeys
  • Surveys completed to find out employee Travel patterns and interests 

 CPW Computing

Given that the IT industry generates more CO2 than the aviation industry, our project was all about reducing the impact that our business had on the environment.

We try to prolong the life of all redundant (though still working) IT equipment so that it benefits others.  Approximately 60 percent of equipment returned to us is found a second home - where this isn’t possible, we ensure that equipment is recycled so that valuable and scarce minerals are reclaimed, and elements re-used.

Examples of our work: 

  • Linden Trust – 70 “redundant” pc’s, 3 File Servers, Printers, cabling equipment etc., has been shipped to Guyana to set up IT suites for three primary schools. Two staff members are visiting in their own time in 2010 to network them.
  • Equipment donated to the Waterfront Project (which supports unemployed and young offenders in Ipswich) has been networked and supported largely f.o.c. by staff over the course of the year.

Our project has meant working with the whole community, spreading and sustaining our green message – emphasising that even just little changes can make big differences…reducing energy emissions (therefore impact on the environment) saving vital resources AND reducing overheads.  Surely everyone wins? 

 Earth and Reed

Three exterior paints that are eco- friendly, breathable, effective and made in Suffolk.

Environmental Assessment

  • Water-based, special blend of vegetable oils, from renewable sources
  • No toxic chemicals or volatile organic solvents, so these products are well ahead of all paint legislation
  • Uses local Suffolk chalk
  • No waste from the production of these paints
  • Made in Suffolk, - minimal 'paint miles'
  • No pollution of the air, ground water or soil
  • Plant and animal friendly – tested by us and our customers
  • Surplus paint is biodegradable – can be composted
  • Tools and hands washed with soapy water – no solvent cleaners needed

1. Fence and Barn Paint for timber

  • Used on the garden shed giving good coverage, 4 litres provided two coats.
  • Also used on timber gazebos, fence posts and barns
  • Easy to apply by brush.
  • Choice of colours: mineral pigments can be added to customise your own colour
  • Tested through three winters with no remedial work needed.

2. Plinth Paint for renders and concrete

  • Covers bare concrete and lime render
  • Can be used over exposed rusting metal – stays in place
  • Covers existing paints and tar

3. EcoStain for timber

  • Protects wood surfaces
  • Allows the grain to show through
  • Easy to apply by brush or spray
  • Dries quickly
  • Sold as a concentrate to avoid excess weight and carriage costs, customer adds the water. 

 White Horse Inn

The 'greening' of the White Horse Inn is an ongoing project to keep our environmental impact to a minimum. The object is to do this without damaging the atmosphere of this old Suffolk Inn. We have so far insulated it, installed a large wood burner for central heating and put solar panels on the roof for domestic hot water and a 6kw wind turbine.  An extension has been built using 'low embodied energy' materials like Bulmer bricks, Groton Wood Oak, recycled bricks, lime foundations/ mortar/ plaster and sheep's wool insulation. Our food is locally grown in our own vegetable garden/greenhouse and by local growers and cooked in our new kitchen using energy efficient induction hobs.  Coppice wood from SWT's Groton Wood fuels 100% of our heating. Only low energy lights are used. Waste is kept to a minimum and community recycling via the Glass Bank in our car park. Beer is supplied from Mill Green Brewery next door (no beer miles & low carbon brewing). 

 Alison Plumridge

As gallery director, Alison has take a strong personal lead in initiating the Gallery’s drive to cut their environmental impact by reducing and recycling waste, cutting transport miles and improving energy efficiency. Through her drive and determination she brought together the staff and gallery community alike to make a difference in reducing their environmental impact. She has used her position as Gallery Director to reach out beyond the Gallery, engaging with the local community, her suppliers and artists and national professional bodies to improve their environmental performance and reduce their impact.

Alison is indefatigable. She is always buzzing with new ideas to improve the environment. Obstacles, like lack of money rarely stand in her way. It is through her determination, commitment and hard work, she has made a real difference to the environmental performance of her own business, and also engaged the local community and the professional arts community for the benefit of us all.