Muir Group’s green efforts rewarded

Thursday 19th January 2012

A HOUSING association has been internationally recognised for its efforts to be green.

Muir Group Housing Association, which has its head office in Chester, has become one of only a few associations to receive the prestigious ISO14001 Environmental Management certificate.

The standard exists to help organisations minimise any negative impact on the environment through their working practices.

"This is about much more than putting paper in the correct bin or not overfilling a kettle, it is about making a real change by establishing a management system that limits environmental damage and promotes environmental sustainability," said Chief Executive John Bellis.

Muir Group manages more than 4,700 properties throughout the country and employs 170 people nationwide.

To achieve the standard its Environment and Sustainability Group reviewed the organisation's approach to resources use, waste management and environmental communication.

From there it set targets of how it could improve, for example in 2011-12 the targets included cutting organisation carbon emission by 5 per cent and reducing paper usage by 10 per cent.

The association also established a Green Quest Team made up of volunteers from all departments who along with raising awareness are responsible for carrying out internal environmental audits to check performance and ensure continual improvement.

"Achieving the ISO 14001 is no easy task, it takes a lot of time and a lot of effort, so we are delighted that we have become one of a handful of housing associations to achieve this," said David Booth, Chairman of the Association.

"All our staff have embraced the 'green' approach and everyone works together to be as environmentally responsible as possible, with the support of the senior management, which is fantastic."

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