BUSINESS and environmental benefits of "Putting Waste to Work" were outlined to bosses from across Lancashire at the start of a two-day conference.

The event, which started yesterday and continued today, was held at Northern Technologies, Nelson.

It aimed to give advice, help firms cut costs, stay within the law and sharpen their competitive edge by taking better care of the waste products from their processes. Pendle businessman Dennis Mendoros, chairman of Pendle Partnership, said: "Reducing waste has a double benefit for business.

"It reduces our impact on the environment and creates a healthier bottom line."

In Pendle alone almost 40,000 tonnes of industrial solid waste goes into landfill sites each year.

One of the organisers, Garreth Bruff, said: "Many of our local companies have shown how waste can be used to cut costs.

"Northern Polytunnels of Colne is saving £4,500 a year using the waste oil from its transport fleet to heat the factory.

"It is just one of many companies which have proved that protecting the environment can actually save money."

More than 400 places were booked by business people at the conference, organised by Pendle Council and the area's Business and Environment Association.

It included a workshop on community recycling and a talk on local waste management by the borough's Community Action Network.

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