Birmingham Companies Rated Top for Environmental Excell

Sutton Coldfield based environment specialists Waterman BIOcare Technologies and transport operator National Express West Midlands have won a top environmental accolade at the edie awards for environmental excellence in London. The partnership was commended under the BestUK Water & Wastewater Project2008 with the judges commenting that 'it offers significant environmental and financial savings for a modest initial investment - showing genuinely impressive results with no downside.'  National Express West Midlands has reduced water use in its bus garages by 94% this year - the equivalent of running more than half a million baths - since new technology was introduced to reduce the environmental impact of washing buses. Everyday, the 2000 buses operated by National Express West Midlands are cleaned and in the past this has involved using large volumes of water. It quickly became polluted with road dirt creating a sludge that needed to be removed at regular intervals, which was both expensive and had an impact on the environment.  After a 20-week pilot scheme at two of the 19 vehicle washes operated by National Express West Midlands bus depots, some significant results were achieved including a 94% reduction in water use, a 95% reduction in waste water removal and cleaner and brighter buses. Working with Minworth-based environmental specialists Waterman, a solution to these issues has been identified and the business is now introducing the BIOcare® Recycled Water Treatment, which essentially adds ‘good’ bacteria to the vehicle washes reducing the ‘bad’ bacteria from the road dirt.  Nick Coad, Environment Director, National Express said, “We’re delighted to have been recognised for our work to reduce water wasted in the Midlands. To have dramatically reduced the amount of water we use and at same time make our buses cleaner and brighter is an extraordinary result. Together with Waterman, we are leading the way for the transport industry and this is a clear example of National Express taking its commitment to the environment very seriously.” John Lewis, Group Managing Director, Waterman said “To have won an edie award is a testament to the significant contribution the BIOcare® Recycled Water Treatment has made to reducing waste water. Applying this technology will provide a solution to many organisations with an awareness of their environmental impact.” The water saving is equivalent to the weight of 6,500 Double Decker buses or 30 baths for every person living in Acocks Green.  Edie (Environmental Data Interactive Exchange) is officially Europe's biggest environmental website and an online resource for environmental professionals, researchers and those with an interest in green issues.

Published 20th November 2008