Sandwell Homes makes Sunday Times Greenest Companies list

Sandwell Homes has moved further up the list of Britain's most environmentally friendly companies coming in at number 21 on the Sunday Times list of Best Green Companies 2010.

The Arms Length Management Organisation, which is responsible for managing 29,000 properties for Sandwell Council, is also the highest placed housing organisation of its kind on the list for a second successive year.

The organisation has been recognised for its environmental performance, which has seen a variety of initiatives introduced as part of its pledge to cut CO2 emissions by 37 per cent by 2012.

Managing one of the biggest Decent Homes programmes in the country, Sandwell Homes has moved to limit its impact on the environment as properties are improved. The organisation buys electricity from green sources and a waste taskforce aims to get all non-hazardous project-related waste materials recycled and diverted away from landfill.

The company is working to minimise the energy used by the business and has replaced its printers and copiers with multi-functional devices to reduce energy consumption and waste. It has also improved the efficiency of paper waste collections from its offices using an existing courier service without increasing emissions from the vehicles employed.

Last year, its carbon footprint fell by 9 per cent while water consumption was 44 per cent lower than in the previous 12 months. The company has also looked to ensure employees understand how to do their bit by providing environmental training courses.

In order to stay on course to meet its 2012 target for carbon reduction Sandwell Homes ensures that it involves a cross-section of tenants as well as employees and suppliers in drawing up its environmental policy, whilst also giving them training on energy use and consumption.

Residents are contributing to the company’s success by participating in its ‘eco-champion’ project, which puts the onus on environmentally friendly residents sharing their knowledge in the community.

Chair of the Sandwell Homes board, Len Gibbs, said: “We are committed to minimising our impact on the environment whilst ensuring we don’t compromise on the quality of our services. Improving on last year’s performance is a sign that we are meeting our objectives.”

“I would like to extend a big thank you to those employees, customers and partners who have helped Sandwell Homes secure this award, with special thanks to Environmental Solutions through Partnership Ltd who have advised our approach.”