Be Green, Be Lean, Be Clean
New Green Community Construction Guide Published
A new guide, aimed at encouraging environmentally friendly and sustainable construction methods for community buildings, has been launched by Environmental Body WREN.
The Green Guide – Building for a better future – is a 28 page A5 document that charts a range of ways of improving environmental efficiency as well as case studying a number of community centres that are helping to mitigate climate change, albeit in a small way, with sustainable initiatives. The guide also gives important advice for communities entering the 2005 Waste Recycling Group Village Hall & Community Centre Challenge.
One of the Green Guide’s case studies features Whitbourne Village Hall, in rural Herefordshire, that has been built to a tight budget but manages to incorporate a number of key energy and resource savings measures. The hall utilises heavy thermal materials and trickle heating that address energy loss.
The guide is the idea of eminent Loughborough University Professor and WREN Leicestershire County Advisory Panel member Tony Marmont who explained:
“With changes to the climate gathering pace it is vital that we take mitigating actions by employing green solutions in our construction methods. This guide focuses on the way communities can plan their communal resources and facilities with an evolved awareness of the environment.
“There are some 9000 village halls and a further estimated 17000 community centres across the UK and by encouraging green thinking at the local level we will all be working in the right direction.
“I hope that the information contained in this guide will convince readers that the extra cost of any renewable energy options and sustainable construction techniques incorporated into your community building project will be money well spent and will be your personal contribution to the future well-being of this planet,” added Professor Marmont..
WREN, the UK’s largest Distributive Environmental Body, has distributed almost £75 million to over 3000 deserving community and environmental projects through the Landfill Tax Credit Scheme (LTCS) since 1998 including improvements to almost 600 village halls and community centres with over £8 million. WREN also administers the 2005 and 2004 Waste Recycling Group Village Hall & Community Centre Challenges.
In his Foreword WREN Chairman John Marsh comments: “Climate change has started and may now be unstoppable. In the future it will influence every part of our lives including buildings and lifestyles.
“WREN is fully committed to financially supporting community building projects that adopt these green principles,” added Mr Marsh.
The Landfill Tax Credit Scheme (www.ltcs.org.uk) currently gives waste management companies the opportunity to invest 6% of the Landfill Tax bill into community and environmental projects in their immediate area.
Parish Councils, village hall committees and community organisations seeking a copy of the Green Guide, information about entering the 2005 Waste Recycling Group Village Hall and Community Centre Challenge or general advice about Landfill Tax Credit Scheme funding should visit www.wren.org.uk or contact WREN on 01953 717165.
For more information contact Rob Wilkinson (WREN) on:
0777 850 3544
01423 733192
wrenpr@aol.com
EDITORS NOTES
WREN is the UK’s largest Distributive Environmental Body and has funded over 3000 projects across much of the UK with almost £75 million since 1998. With a Head Office in Norfolk Wren distributes Landfill Tax credits to community and environmental projects within ten miles of landfill sites owned and operated by Waste Recycling Group Ltd.
Projects applying for grants from WREN are assessed by an individual panel of locally based experts for their suitability, sustainability and community benefit.
The Landfill Tax Credit Scheme (LTCS) gives waste operators the opportunity to divert 6% of their annual Landfill Tax bill into the communities and environments around landfill sites. To date the LTCS has funded over 25,000 projects with £3/4 billion pounds in funding.
Resources: www.ltcs.org.ukwww.entrust.org.uk
Waste Recycling Group Limited is one of the UK's leading waste management and energy recovery companies and handles in excess of 15 million tonnes of household, commercial and industrial waste each year. Around 50% of Waste Recycling Group’s business is accounted for by waste management contracts with more than 70 local authorities across England, Scotland and Wales.
The Company operates facilities for the reception, recycling and disposal of waste, including a network of waste transfer and recycling centres and strategically-situated landfill sites, and is one of the largest operators of civic amenity sites on behalf of local authorities for use by the general public.
Resource: www.wrg.co.uk