A GREEN audit scheme which has saved companies millions of pounds is going from strength to strength.

Almost 200 firms have had environmental reviews carried out since Blackburn Groundwork began offering the service three years ago.

And Blackburn Council helps meet the cost for firms within its borough with a 66 per cent grant towards the assessment and further grants available to contribute towards any work that needs to be carried out.

The aim of the surveys is to identify potential cost savings in energy use, recycling opportunities and by introducing different working practices.

The surveys, carried out by a team of six at Groundwork, also investigate whether a firm is complying with the onerous legislation covering industry and to reduce their impact on the environment.

Said Andy Ritchie, manager, environmental management services: "Our aim is always to provide something of benefit to the business. We tailor surveys to their needs and look at particular areas of concern they may have.

"One of the advantages is that the reviews are so flexible and we are not bound to a strict formula."

Energy costs have formed a major part of many of the surveys carried out so far with dramatic savings already achieved. Many companies, particularly smaller ones, are not aware of the options on tariffs or suppliers and the savings that can be made."

The PDO compact disc site in Blackburn, for example, saved £62,250 on its electricity bill following recommendations from the survey.

And Park Products has seen its electricity costs fall by 10 per cent and gas by 48 per cent.

One of the most dramatic successes to come from the reviews was at New Waterside Paper Mills.

Their review was initially carried out in 1992 to help the company set out a plan to apply for the BS7750 environmental standard.

And steps taken to minimise waste have helped the firm save a staggering £300,000.

"It basically helped us identify areas of waste within the business such as water," said Andy Farrell, group quality systems manager.

An oil recycling programme and a scheme to reuse pallets instead of throwing them away brought benefits within months and the firm achieved its BS7750 award last July.

Reviews have been carried out at firms with less than five employees up to major manufacturers including Wolstenholme Rink, Borden, New Waterside Paper Mills and take anything from half a day to six days to carry out.

And under Blackburn's economic development department, Green Grants are made to firms to implement recommendations made in the survey to improve environmental performance.

The council will contribute up to 50 per cent of the cost of improvements up to £4,000.

"We believe this is a win-win situation for us," said Ashley Whalley, chairman of Blackburn's Economic Development and Employment Committee.

"It leads to an improvement to the environment in general in Blackburn which has a lot of industry in residential areas.

"We want to promote a sustainable economy in Blackburn and we want businesses in Blackburn to be at the forefront of best practice.

"And we believe that for a large number of firms improvements will make them more competitive and in turn help protect and create employment in the borough."

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