Businesses set to benefit from free support to cut carbon and energy costs through Staffordshire network

Staffordshire businesses can benefit from free support to cut carbon emissions and energy costs thanks to new company backing to a county network.

Membership of the Staffordshire Business Environment Network (SBEN) has now been extended for 2023/24 to business in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent.

SBEN, which is coordinated by Staffordshire County Council, is now supported by Steelite International and Michelin Tyre PLC – whose backing means members can benefit from environmental legislation updates, events, networking and a bespoke carbon tracker tool.

SBEN has over 430 members and in the last year supported 33 businesses in cutting energy costs and improving energy use through Low Carbon Business Evolution project grants. It has also supported 68 businesses through carbon literacy training, while 315 businesses have attended events over the year.

Businesses can find out more by visiting the SBEN website.

Patrick Griffin, Site Service Director from Steelite International said:

We were thrilled to sponsor SBEN, supporting the continuation of the network in helping and supporting businesses across Staffordshire to be more sustainable. We have been members of SBEN since 1999, benefiting from environmental legislation updates and events.

We’ve won awards for environmental best practice, through investment and development into manufacturing techniques, use of materials, the durability and longevity of our products, and this has ultimately led to us recycling over 99 per cent of our waste.

Sustainability and being part of the SBEN network is very much at the heart of what we do, so we welcomed the opportunity to support the continuation of the network in helping and supporting businesses across Staffordshire to be more sustainable.

Jethro Smith, UK Environment & Prevention Manager Michelin Tyre PLC said:

This network makes an essential contribution on environmental matters. It offers support and expertise to local businesses, individuals and communities as we embark on a common journey towards our shared sustainability goals.

Tangible examples of the excellent work SBEN does in promoting and supporting our business community can be seen through their alerts process relating to changes in legislation, through their guidance on assessing and demonstrating the sustainability of your business to others, and then showcasing these successes at locally organised events and seminars with guest speakers, providing inspiration and motivation for all involved.

Staffordshire County Council’s deputy leader and cabinet member for economy and skills Philip White said:

It’s fantastic to see businesses like Steelite International and Michelin supporting SBEN. They are helping bring wider benefits to many more companies across the county and Stoke-on-Trent in such a vital way to collectively help to reduce our carbon emissions and lead to a more sustainable Staffordshire.

We’re grateful for their support and the SBEN team be in contact with members to confirm their membership in the coming weeks.