“This is the moment when we must come together to save this planet. Let
us resolve that we will not leave our children a world where the oceans
rise and famine spreads and terrible storms devastate our lands.”
President Barrack Obama spoke with
concern about the future of our planet calling for immediate action to
be taken to secure a sustainable future for the next generation. This
article identifies the impact the global recession is having on the
environmental industry and how environmental professionals may help to
bring us out of the current economic downturn.

The recession has been called the ‘downside of gloablisation’ as the crisis began in the United States, the most powerful nation in the world; a knock-on effect was seen in all the major economies. The collapse of global giants such as Lehman Brothers, Wachovia, Washington Mutual and other household names has seen the US unemployment figure rise to above 7%, with over 10 million Americans out of work.

Despite the obvious effect on many individuals one of the most unpredictable effects will be that of job losses across the globe.  The US saw 524,000 job cuts in December 2008 alone.

Across the UK we have also seen substantial job cuts and many environmental initiatives and developments ‘put on hold’ or abandoned. January saw Boris Johnson, Mayor of London of the Greater London Authority (GLA), cancelled the Green Homes Service, a scheme committed to insulation and renewable energy (such as wind power), in homes. This would have created many green roles in and around the London area. The GLA also announced a further £10 million project cut to the London Cycle Network Plus, which looked to improving the safety of cyclists and encouraging cycling in an effort to reduce carbon emissions.

The ‘restructuring’ City Hall project was put on hold with no less than 50 jobs being lost in the cost minimization process. Protests over potential redundancies have come from the Green Party, however these cuts look imminent and it is not only the GLA who are tightening their purse strings and consequentially trimming back their environmental spend.  

WRAP – Waste Resources Action Programme – is a government advisory body that provides resource efficiency advice for businesses and general households and is now to become the only body to deliver Government funded recycling and waste programmes. Businesses will feel an impact from this change as 30% of their funding is being cut from £59m to £43.2m alongside 31 redundancies made this year already and with the expansion, supposedly making it easier for businesses and individuals to access green advice and support, there may be additional job cuts, less services provided and a fall in the overall budget for WRAP.

The construction industry has been hit hard as the housing market has plummeted with 50,000 job losses in 2008 and more expected in 2009. A total of between 7.5% and 8% of the total workforce in the UK have lost their jobs in this market including a high number or environmental monitors, construction waste managers and land condition experts. The unseen effect here was that of the diminished cascade to the lower margin consultancies who support the various developments within construction and development, but for whom the previous abundance of work has dried up.

So how can we be positive about the environmental sector given all this gloom and doom?

In the current crisis it is hard to stay optimistic with only 21% of CEO’s confident their business will grow. The decrease in confidence has changed attitudes to do with the environment, now less than 1 in 10 CEO’s worry about diminishing natural resources and fail to put the issue high on the agenda. Sir Stuart Rose, M&S executive chairman, however insists that green remains high on the agenda. His Plan A is award winning and there is evidence showing that CSR is on an upturn as many more firms instigate their push towards the environment and energy improvements; RBS, Tarmac, Co-Op and Samsung are just some of the large corporates that see the crisis as an opportunity to focus on CSR and grow their business, establishing new positions in their markets above their competitors.

Allen & York Business Manager Joe Heppenstall said, “It is no longer the altruists that are telling people about their ‘Sustainable Strategy’ its becoming more and more common place in the boardroom. By no means is everything looking gloomy!”

Remaining optimistic is difficult but there is evidence that careers in the environmental sector are showing some elasticity and could drive new economic growth. Careers including ecologists, hydrologists, environmental chemists are expected to grow 25% over the next decade – basically jobs that are required and continue in demand when there is no extra discretionary money to spend.

Construction roles may have been reduced but this reduction is being counteracted by huge demand for climate change and carbon-reduction services as the Government introduces its’ low-carbon strategy to create a new green economy to pull us out of the recession and work towards a sustainable future.

Plans have been announced by the Mayor of London that 15,000 jobs could be created in an effort to cut energy and tackle climate change. Targets have been set in place of reducing London’s carbon emissions by 60%, contributing £600m to London’s economy by 2025 and being established as a low carbon hub. Green collar jobs would play an important role therefore employing green professionals would gain a company the best long-term value out of their investment.

The NHS announced a major campaign to reduce their carbon footprint, currently employing one and a half million people, in-house and contracted environmental professionals will lead the campaign. With low carbon targets to achieve and campaigns in place, the new global low carbon economy is worth £3 trillion employing 880,000 people in the UK.

The latter comes under the term the ‘green new deal’ which means spending money to stimulate the use of ‘green technology’ such as renewable energy and public transport to create jobs, environmental preservation and economic upturn.

The UN have been in talks proposing ‘a global green new deal’ to be presented at the G20 where economic stimuli of all countries are expected to devote billions of public spending to green projects. The US economic stimulus has amounted to more than $2,800 bn with around $430 bn (15%) going to be spent on green measures. The UK is only allocating £535 million (7%) of their economic stimulus which is said to be too small with MP’s suggesting the Treasury should spend £11 bn on green stimulus measures as this would lead to net job creation, cut emissions and improve energy security.

Greenpeace suggested that if £5 bn was invested in energy efficiency measures, 55,000 jobs could be created. Green job creation would range from the science behind clean energy systems to their physical installation including every function in between.

EU diplomats have viewed the election of President Barack Obama as the most positive change in the US as Obama commits the US to cut emissions 16% by 2020 and 80% by 2050. Obama also plans to spend billions of dollars on renewable energy. The Government in the UK has proposed for the creation of the Office for Renewable Energy Deployment to deliver targets of sourcing 15% of the UK’s energy by 2020. Governments are committing to energy efficiency projects as they are labour intensive creating construction sector jobs, which have been worst hit, energy sector jobs, reducing energy use, producing cost savings, a sustainable future and most importantly it is the best route to economic recovery.

Joe Heppenstall summed up the situation saying, “Lets face it, the US needs a boost and if building a better, bigger environmental industry is what Obama brings then good for them. In terms of the UK we have a great industry and for us it’s about how we adapt to these times in both the Public and Private Sector and what we can do to change in the face of the market conditions.”  He went on to say that “The consultants in the UK are some of the best in the world and have a habit of being able to switch strategy to meet demand through retraining, recruiting new skills and refocus on sectors that are very much alive. Similarly the blue chip organizations are recognizing that the green agenda will no away.”

The financial crisis has had large implications on the environment industry but at the same time created huge economic, social and environmental benefits likely to arise from combating climate change and pollution, generating many varied opportunities.

**ENDS**

Notes to the editor:

About Allen & York:
A&Y have established a market leading presence in Sustainable Environmental, Health & Safety, Planning and Energy by continually striving to be not just effective, but the best in their field. With worldwide experience of specialist recruitment knowledge, their results speak for themselves. Allen & York’s role is to take the hassle and uncertainty out of the recruitment process whilst at the same time freeing their client’s time to continue doing what they do best. As standard, Allen & York offer a bespoke, cost-effective service that is backed up by continuing commitment to ethical practice and professional excellence. www.allen-york.com

Introduction to self-building an Earthship - A two-day course
This course is for anyone thinking about building their own home and anyone interested in learning about Earthships. It is suitable for complete beginners, as well as those who are familiar with Eco-building and want to know more.
15th-16th September 2009 – NOW TAKING BOOKINGS

For full details and bookings please visit:

www.brightonpermaculture.co.uk

Introduction to self-building an Earthship – A two-day course
This course is for anyone thinking about building their own home and
anyone interested in learning about Earthships. It is suitable for
complete beginners, as well as those who are familiar with Eco-building
and want to know more.
12th-13th September 2009 – NOW TAKING BOOKINGS
For full details and bookings please visit:
www.brightonpermaculture.co.uk

Weather the recession: go to work in the garden   

Not so long ago gardens were exclusively for leisure. For lying
around in, pottering in, eating al fresco, barbecues, bonfires, boules
and swingball. But as 2009 progresses the picture is looking very
different. Once a haven of relaxation, gardens are turning into hives
of activity as people all over the UK go to work in the garden.

As the recession points Britain towards a new way of living, people want much more from their green spaces. These days, in addition to a lawn, shrubs and flowers, many people are serious about growing their own produce and keeping chickens, others are bringing their businesses home to their gardens. Just like our ancestors in pre-industrial revolution agrarian communities, we’re returning to our roots. Not so much a nation of shopkeepers, more a nation of smallholders as we spend more time working at home, from home and in our homes!

An amazing 4.2m businesses in the UK employ less than 10 people and in today’s unpredictable economic climate, many small businesses are strengthening their financial position by taking their business home. It is no longer just the self-employed and home-workers who run their businesses from home. Micro businesses are also saying goodbye to rented offices in town centres and taking their staff home with them to a fully functional home office at the bottom of the garden.

Nigel Peters’ business was paying more than £10,000 a year rent for an office that was half an hour’s commute away from his home in Surrey. Last autumn he decided to move back home and contacted InsideOut Buildings who design and build garden offices and, unsurprisingly, run their business from an office in their garden. “InsideOuts’ offices aren’t cheap, but they’re absolutely ideal.” He said. “We wanted an eco-friendly building that we’d be proud to bring clients to, but also a comfortable working environment that would house the business for years to come and that compliments the main house. Staying at home with the dog and the chickens is much better than commuting and we feel we’re doing our bit for the environment by cutting down on commuting and heating bills.’

Lynn Fotheringham, director of InsideOut is seeing a huge increase in this type of enquiry. “One of the key questions for small business owners who want to take their business home is ‘Can I employ people in an office in my own garden?” Lynn explains “The answer is yes, as long as you have the approval of your local planning department. They will assess your plans, taking into consideration things like the nature of your business and the availability of parking spaces. If your garden office is for your own personal use, you might not need planning permission, full stop.”

Patrick Boggan of Tarnside Consulting is currently building an eco-friendly office in his garden, in the beautiful Lyth Valley just outside Kendal. Tarnside is a fundraising and management consultancy that works with charities: a thriving business that already employs four people working inside Patrick’s family home.  He and his family wanted to regain control of their home, which is where InsideOut stepped in. “Despite the fact that Tarnside Consulting is in the Lake District National Park” says Lynn Fotheringham, “Patrick was still given planning permission to house his business in an InsideOut office in the garden. The company’s new office even has a shower room for employees who cycle to work.”

People who already work at home who are desperate to move to a larger house but unable to sell their current home are finding that a good alternative is to build an office in the garden instead. Sally Heneghan of South Wales, who chose a garden office rather than moving, says, “Creating an office was a great deal cheaper – and faster – than moving to a bigger house. The thing that really sold the idea to us was that Inside Out’s garden offices are built to last a lifetime. They’re also beautiful to look at, designed with sensitivity and a genuine appreciation of their surroundings.”

It is wise to bear in mind that taking your business home doesn’t mean you can leave legislation on the doorstep! If you’re planning to bring employees into your office in the garden, buildings with more than 30sq metres of floor space must meet a variety of stringent regulations regarding structural standards, insulation levels, fireproofing, access and facilities for people with restricted physical mobility. But whatever the size, InsideOut’s garden offices are built to the same strict Building Regulations specifications as a new home.

As our life/work values change we all want our gardens to work harder for us. Thankfully building in your garden isn’t as complex as you might think and the results can be stunning. Bringing your work home can be rewarding financially and emotionally – perhaps our ancestors had it right all along!

For more information and hires please contact: -
Lynn Fotheringham
01524 737999    lynn@iobuild.co.uk  www.iobuild.co.uk  InsideOut Garden office Brochure.
Insideout Buildings Ltd. The Green, Over Kellet, Lancashire LA6 1BU.

The Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards 2009 launches with support from Paul Theroux

Nominations are now open for the Responsible Tourism Awards 2009
organised by responsibletravel.com and sponsored by Virgin Holidays.
The Awards celebrate tourism ventures around the world that make
positive contributions to conservation and the economies of local
communities.

Prolific travel writer Paul Theroux is supporting this year’s Awards:
“In the past, awards were given for Best Meal, Best View, Most
Grovelling Staff, Biggest Ballroom, or whatever. It’s encouraging that
tourism organisations and individuals are being rewarded for doing
something that is ethically right or supporting a position that will
help the planet. That’s the greatest lesson of travel: it is a very
small and easily bruised planet.”

The Awards are now in their sixth year and are the most prestigious of their kind in the world, with 13 categories receiving a total of over 1,900 nominations in 2008. Partners include The Telegraph Media Group, Geographical Magazine (the magazine of The Royal Geographical Society), BBC World News and World Travel Market.

This year sees the introduction of an annual theme for the Tour Operator category which focuses on ‘cultural engagement’ of local cultures and communities for 2009.

Justin Francis, founders of the Awards and MD of responsibletravel.com said:
“This year will be one of great change for the travel and tourism industry as the global economic situation alters the way we think about our holidays. It is therefore more crucial than ever before that responsible tourism remains high on the agenda and that tourism ventures, destinations and travellers around the world continue to ensure that local communities and environments do not become the forgotten voices. We urge the travelling public to join us in uncovering and nominating those passionate innovators who are leading the way in responsible tourism.”

How to nominate
Nominations should be made online at www.responsibletourismawards.com or by post to responsibletravel.com, Pavilion House, 6 Old Steine, Brighton, East Sussex, BN1 1EJ, and include the name and contact details of the nomination, plus up to 200 words on why they should win a Responsible Tourism Award. The category of entry should also be specified (see notes to editors).
Nominations close on: Monday 15th June 2009

Win a safari holiday!
Those individuals who nominate a category winner will be entered into a draw to win a once in a lifetime eight day safari holiday for two to Kenya (including flights) courtesy of Gamewatchers Safaris and Porini Camps – a 2008 Award winner. Full details can be found on www.responsibletourismawards.com

- ENDS –

Notes to editors
For more information on the Responsible Tourism Awards visit www.responsibletourismawards.com

For stories and quotes from last year’s winners click here or email krissy@responsibletravel.com.

Images of last year’s winners and the presentation ceremony are also available upon request.

Responsible Tourism Award categories
For full details of the criteria for each category visit www.responsibletourismawards.com/categories.html:

Best tour operator for cultural engagement – sponsored by Tourism Western Australia *New title and criteria*
Best large hotel / accommodation – sponsored by Fairmont Hotels & Resorts
Best small hotel / accommodation – sponsored by Discover Dominica Tourism Authority
Best in a mountain environment – sponsored by World Expeditions
Best in a marine environment – sponsored by Tourism Fiji
Best cruise or ferry operator
Best low carbon transport & technology  
Best for conservation of wildlife & habitats – sponsored by South Australian Tourism Commission – *New title and criteria*
Best for conservation of cultural heritage – sponsored by Jamaica Tourist Board
Best for poverty reduction – sponsored by PromPeru
Best volunteering organisation – sponsored by Kenya Tourist Board
Best destination – sponsored by Conservation International
Best personal contribution – sponsored by Tourism Ireland

For details of this year’s sponsors visit
http://www.responsibletourismawards.com/aboutsponsors.html  

The judging panel
The judging panel for the Responsible Tourism Awards 2009 is chaired by Harold Goodwin, Professor of Responsible Tourism Management at Leeds Metropolitan University & Director of the International Centre for Responsible Tourism, and includes:

Justin Francis, Managing Director, responsibletravel.com
Graham Boynton, Group Travel Editor, The Daily Telegraph
Fiona Jeffery, Chairman, World Travel Market
Graeme Gourlay, Publisher, Geographical Magazine
Tricia Barnett, Director, Tourism Concern
Andrew Cooper, Director General, Federation of Tour Operators (FTO)
Debbie Hindle, Managing Director, bgb communications
Sue Hurdle, Chief Executive, The Travel Foundation
Neel Inamdar, Conservation International
Ian Reynolds, former Chief Executive of ABTA & Trustee of The Travel Foundation
Keith Richards, Head of Business Development and Consumer Affairs at ABTA
Dr Rebecca Hawkins, Considerate Hoteliers Association

About responsibletravel.com:
responsibletravel.com is the world’s leading online ethical travel company, selling over 3,000 holidays from over 270 specialist operators and 550 accommodations. All the holidays meet specific responsible tourism guidelines and aim to create better places for people to live and to visit. Launched in 2001 with backing from Dame Anita Roddick, the website is for travellers who want more real and authentic holidays that also benefit the environment and local people. The organisation – based in Brighton, England – also campaigns for positive change in the travel and tourism industry.

Contact:
Krissy Roe
krissy@responsibletravel.com  
07717 348 368

Following the success of the Greening Events Summit in 2008, the event
is returning this year with a new name, a new venue and a clear focus –
50 practical steps to take back to your organisation to make your
events more sustainable.

The Sustainable Events Summit 2009 takes place on Friday 22 May at One
Wimpole Street, London. With sustainability currently a huge issue in
the events industry, and organisers eager to learn best practice and
implement sustainable measures, this is a timely moment for the summit
to take place.

The aim of the day is to provide delegates with 50 practical actions which they can take back to their organisations. The summit will be chaired by Lucy Siegle, ethical living columnist at the Observer and BBC One Show presenter. Lucy will be ensuring that the event is dynamic, inspirational and encourages practical action.

Delegates at this event will comprise heads of events / event directors across a variety of business sectors; event media and suppliers to the industry. We are targeting around 250 delegates to maximise the value of the day for all attendees.

The Summit will provide an informative day for delegates. We aim to include interactive sessions to add variety and incorporate future technologies. Speakers confirmed so far include:

David Stubbs, Head of Sustainability, LOCOG;
Anne Hayes, Head of Market Development – Sustainability, BSI;
Neil Grange, Sustainable Event Management Consultant, Arup;
Alison Tickell, Director, Julie’s Bicycle.

Other participants include representatives from Wembley Stadium, The Guardian, The Ryder Cup and Virgin Trains.

Last year’s Summit had 200 attendees and once again we want as many attendees as possible to share their experiences and commit to practical action to make the events industry more sustainable. Early Bird tickets are available now at a reduced cost.

To book tickets go to the Summit website at www.sustainableeventssummit.com. For more information call Joelle McNichol from the Summit team on 020 7515 5775 or email Joelle@sustainableeventssummit.com.  

The Sustainable Events Summit is supported by our sustainable host venue, One Wimpole Street, which will be offering a high-tech, interactive experience for delegates as well as a sustainably sourced seasonal menu. Other partners of the event are the Association of Event Venues, the Event Supplier and Services Association, Conference News and Exhibition News.

The Summit will also feature an exhibition space showcasing the latest services and solutions in event sustainability. If your company would like to be featured in the exhibition space get in touch with Joelle on 020 7515 5775.

The Sustainable Events Summit aims to be the catalyst for real change in the events industry. Come along and be part of it.

–ENDS—

Notes to editors:

1. The Sustainable Events Summit is managed by Green Business Events and Seventeen Events.
2. One Wimpole Street is a sustainable venue in central London which was recently accredited to the BS8901 sustainable event management standard.
3. A full list of speakers with biographies will be available shortly on the event website – www.sustainableeventssummit.com.
4. Exhibition stands and limited sponsorship opportunities are available. For more information contact Joelle McNichol on 020 7515 5775 or Joelle@sustainableeventssummit.com.  

Ochre & Ocre have teamed up with the lovely folk at Wiggly Wigglers to offer all of their newsletter subscribers an amazing 15% off any Wiggly Wigglers product. The offer is valid until the end of May, and only one per household.

To see the offer code, sign up to the Ochre & Ocre newsletter (scroll to the bottom of the page). It is a monthly round up of what’s been happening, special offers, and exciting new ranges.

Heather Gorringe has been composting and encouraging others to do the same since she founded her company – Wiggly Wigglers 20 years ago. Now Wiggly Wigglers is a really rural living store which advises and encourages people to compost and live more sustainably through a series of “How to” videos and their facebook group and their very popular award winning weekly podcast.

The latest issue of Sustained, the free lifestyle magazine for smarter living, is out now.

In Issue 9, kindly sponsored by The Converging World, you will find features on alternative energy, permaculture, bushcraft, a carbon debate, alternatives to car ownership, chocolate, a campaign for greater local democracy, an interview with arctic explorer Pen Hadow, and Jules Peck’s vision for the 21st century citizen amongst so much more.

As Sustained is free and designed to be accessible to the majority of people why not use it as a tool to help raise awareness in your community? Alternatively, you might just want a copy for yourself. Either way, here’s how . . .

1. Ask your local wholefood shop to order copies of Sustained for
   you from their suppliers with their next food order (they are delivered
   free of charge and come in bundles of 50). National wholefood
   suppliers that distribute Sustained are the Suma, Essential and the
   Rainbow Wholefood co-operatives. If your local shop chooses to order
   from Suma there’s a catalogue code they can use – BK820
2. Return a few days later and collect your copies.
3. Distribute them at events or in public places like libraries,
   community centres, farmers’ markets etc. The wholefood shop can give
   them out too!
   

Sustained: small change – big difference

View this issue online > > >

Hand Up Media is the Edinburgh based ethical media, publishing and
events company that engages people to ethical lifestyle issues

Since
setting up three years ago, Hand Up Media has printed almost 3 million
publications about fair trade, ethical & sustainable lifestyle
issues, organise events such as The Edinburgh Ethical Christmas Fayre
which had over 20,000 visitors in 2008, The Fair Trade Experience, the
UK’s biggest weekend Fair Trade event and The Ethical Emporium on
London’s South Bank. We also provide PR, web and marketing services to
ethical businesses and organisations.

The latest and exciting Hand Up Media development is the launch of  www.ethical tv  the first global online TV website dedicated to films, stories, news and views about ethical lifestyle issues that affect people across the world.

ethical tv aims to encourage and inspire active participation and empowerment through this first dedicated ethical online TV website.

Channels include:

• Fair Trade
• Health
• Education
• Investment
• Environment
• Campaigns and News
• The Co-operative TV (first dedicated channel on ethical tv)

Why ethical tv

Tania Pramschufer, Co-Director of Hand Up Media says “We’re passionate about promoting sustainable and ethical lifestyle issues in positive, stylish & empowering ways to help individuals to make positive changes. ethical tv aims to provide individuals, organisations and businsess with a comprehensive one stops online library of films on ethical issues. More than ever, people are actively seeking information on ethical lifestyle issues. We will be constantly updating the site with new films, views, news and campaign updates to help keep viewers abreast of ethical issues”.

ethical.tv will be providing film and production services to ethical organisations and businesses and can also offer their own dedicated online TV channel on www.ethical.tv

Co-operative tv

‘The Co-operative is delighted to be the primary sponsor of Ethical TV. By bringing together experts on a range of ethical issues, Ethical TV provides a unique space to view films that will generate enthusiasm, engender debate and motivate people to take action and drive change’.

Michael Fairclough, Head of Community & Campaigns

Send your films and news

If your ethical business or organisation have films and news for ethical tv please get in touch with tania@ethical.tv

Send your films on DVD, good quality Quicktime MOV and MPEG files are best.

All films and news will be vetted before being uploaded, for more information see our content policy on www.ethical.tv

Children can learn more through practical fun than textbooks. The
launch of educational games kits to demonstrate renewable energy will
provide children with the start that could simultaneously address two
new government objectives. Ed Balls, Secretary of State for Children,
Schools and Families, is determined to improve educational standards
and also wants parents to take a more practical involvement in the
schooling process.

Ed Miliband, Secretary of State for the Department of Energy and Climate Change, wants UK homes to concentrate on renewable energy to have virtually no carbon emissions by 2050. Ultimately passing the responsibility to our children we need to make sure their education includes practical experience of renewable energy to help meet this laudable objective.

Children need to see renewable energy devices in action and understand how efficient and essential these are for the future. Introducing them to alternative energy sources will fire their interest and commitment to both Ed’s policies.

The educational games website www.keen2learn.co.uk has just introduced a new range dedicated to renewable energy. Already selling a comprehensive range of educational games to schools and parents in support of the National Curriculum, the new energy resource games allow children to see wind, solar and fuel cell power in action.

Alistair Owens, managing director of keen2learn, explained, “These educational games kits give children first hand fun experience in seeing how a wind turbine or solar photovoltaic cell works. The kits are supplied with measuring equipment and worksheets to follow a variety of experiments”.

The renewable energy kits are not toys and need adult supervision making them ideal as a teaching resource in school, at home with parents or as a central theme through local councils or energy associations.  

Click here to visit the renewable energy page > > >

Ends

Keen 2 Learn Profile:

Research reveals that 75% of learning retention comes from practice compared to 30% retained from classroom teaching. Keen2learn is an Intel™ and Design Council award winning website established in 2006. Selling educational games, toys and board games developed by educationalist and ex-teachers to give a practical support to teaching.

The games meet the National Curriculum and bring fun into education. Keen2learn’ s by line is “Learning In Disguise.”

The games are played in class but also meet a growing demand to be played at home to support progress back in class. Covering all areas of the National Curriculum they provide a highly practical opportunity for parents and grandparents to give dynamic support to their children.

The products are sourced from over 50 suppliers and there is a growing demand from overseas.

For further information contact:

Alistair Owens
Managing Director Keen2learn
Tel :       01302 700962
Mob:       07716 515 808
Email:  alistair@keen2learn.co.uk
Web:    www.keen2learn.co.uk
Renewable Energy section:

A revolutionary new eco-friendly paint tray is to be stocked by Travis Perkins, one of the UK’s leading builders’ merchants.

The Ezee paint tray is fully recyclable, unlike conventional plastic or
metal trays, and has been created to make painting a pleasure not a
chore.

Manufactured from recycled waste paper, the tray and can be reused again and again, its special design is pleasing decorating professionals too. Research has confirmed that they can carry out their work faster and more efficiently, as the tray allows them to use less of the roller head to pick up an even covering of paint.

Cleaning the tray is easy too and requires no water. Excess paint can simply be wiped out and the tray left to dry for reuse.

Linda Doughty, trade marketing director, Travis Perkins, commented: “We are delighted to introduce the Ezee Paint Tray to our product range, not only because it’s an innovative alternative to the products traditionally used by decorating professionals, but because of its outstanding environmental credentials.”

Natalie Barnwell, managing director of Eco-Ezee Ltd, commented: “The Ezee Paint Tray is so much more efficient to use than the plastic or metal products currently available, and as it is made from recyclable paper pulp, the manufacturing process and product disposal has a far lesser effect on our natural resources and the environment, especially landfill. We are incredibly proud that this is a truly ‘green’ product and are pleased that Travis Perkins has taken the lead in promoting it to trade professionals.”

ENDS

For press enquiries about EcoEzee please contact: adam@crimsonpoint.co.uk
Website: www.ecoezee.com

More information on Travis Perkins from David Manning
Tel: +44 (0) 1604 683197 Fax: +44 (0) 1604 683164
E-mail: david.manning@travisperkins.co.uk

More press information from:
Ayleen Dunbar or Duncan Gallagher at Publicasity on Tel: 01442 261199 or Fax: 01442 236401 or e-mail travisperkins@publicasity.co.uk

Travis Perkins
Travis Perkins supplies more than 100,000 product lines to the trade, including general building materials, plumbing and heating products, landscaping materials, timber, kitchens and bathrooms, and tool and equipment hire, along with a wide range of services including its trade-dedicated website, Trademate, www.trademate.co.uk.

Travis Perkins continues to follow a successful growth strategy of acquisition and organic investment: its branch network has increased to 581, making the company one of the largest timber and builders’ merchants in the UK.

Travis Perkins plc
The Travis Perkins Group includes some of the leading companies in the builders’ merchanting and home improvement markets. Its brands include Travis Perkins, Keyline, City Plumbing Supplies, CCF, Benchmarx Kitchens and Joinery, Wickes and Tile Giant. The company has over 1,227 branches nationwide.