News_from

WINTER SALAD TRAINING WORKSHOP AT CHANNING SCHOOL - OCTOBER 2011

Catering staff at Channing School took part in a winter salad training workshop during half term as part of the school's annual training plan for the catering team. Chris Stanley, ISCC's Managing Partner, led the workshop. To read the full account of the day's proceedings, please click here.

ISCC_Training

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LIZZIE FOWELL ELECTED FELLOW OF THE INSTITUTE OF HOSPITALITY

We are delighted to announce that ISCC's Senior Consultant Lizzie Fowell has been elected a Fellow of the Institute of Hospitality. This has been awarded in recognition of Lizzie's commitment to professionalism over the years and her standing in the industry. The aim of the Institute is to promote professionalism, best practice and reputation in hospitality, leisure and tourism. The Institute was formed over 70 years ago and Lizzie has been a member since her student days, making use of the management resources, professional development, member services and regional networking events run by the Institute.

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It's back....believe it or not but it's been nearly two years since the last show and registration is now open for Hotelympia 2012 at the Excel Centre in London. We strongly advise your Catering Manager to attend this show as it will keep them up to date with modern trends and new products as well as offering excellent networking opportunities. This show is free and is the equivalent of the annual ISBA Conference for your Catering Managers and Chefs. Register by clicking the image below to get your FREE TICKET and save the £30 entrance fee.

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ISCC CELEBRATES ITS ONE HUNDREDTH COMMISSION...

Chris, Simon and the team at Independent Schools Catering Consultancy are delighted to announce our one hundredth Client.

ISCC, now in its fourth year, has worked with some of the top UK Independent Schools in the last three years and has had commissions from all four corners of the UK: from Stonyhurst and Ampleforth College in the north, Woodbridge and Amberfield in the east, Brighton College and Burgess Hill School in south and Truro High in the west!

We would like to personally thank each and every one of our Clients for their business and very much look forward to a long and fruitful business relationship.

If you would like further information on our Client portfolio or our range of support options, please email Simon on simon.pollard@iscc.co.uk

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ISBA ANNUAL CONFERENCE MAY 2011 - THE CELTIC MANOR RESORT

Chris, Simon, Lizzie and Steve would like to thank the many Bursars who visited our stand. It was fabulous to catch up with our Clients and we were delighted that so many had recommended us to friends and colleagues. If you did try to catch us but we were too busy at the time then please do contact Simon on 01743 240377 or via email on simon.pollard@iscc.co.uk

We would be delighted to hear from you!

ISCC ISBA 2011

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ISCC WELCOMES STEVE ACTON

Simon, Chris and the team are delighted to welcome our third new appointment since our inauguration in 2007 and our first of 2011.

Steve Acton joins ISCC as Consultant with specific responsibility for food development within our Independent School Client portfolio.

Steve was previously Executive Chef at Caterlink and so has over five years' experience specifically within the education catering market. Previous to this role, Steve was Development Chef for one of the world's most successful investment specialists, Fidelity International, based in the City.

Steve's culinary knowledge is outstanding and he is an excellent trainer and mentor and enjoys sharing his skills and experience to help improve the food received by pupils within the Independent School sector.

We wish Steve the greatest of luck and happiness at ISCC.

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THE TRUE COST OF THE VAT RISE!

I’m sure that we don’t have to remind Bursars that VAT is increasing from the 1st January 2011; but how exactly will this affect your catering costs at school?

All catering accounts attract both input (VAT that is added on to your invoice by a supplier) and output Value Added Tax (VAT that you or your Contract Caterer adds on to invoices).

The majority of the food that you purchase is VAT free (zero rated) however so called ‘luxury’ food goods (biscuits, ice-cream, juices, confectionary – but not Jaffa Cakes!) that are purchased by your Catering Manager attract standard rate input tax. Normally 4% to 5% of your annual food purchases attract VAT.

If, for example, your annual food purchases are £100,000 then £5,000 of these purchases will attract VAT, currently costing you an extra £875.00, but this will increase to £1,000.00 in January 2011. So, for every £100,000 of food purchased you need to factor in an increase in input tax of £125.00.

Output tax is attracted on two key areas; sundry costs (cleaning chemicals, kitchen disposables and uniforms etc) and, if your catering is outsourced then your Caterer's Management Fee. You will need to add 2.5% to the annual values in both these areas.

Based on the Independent School catering overhead benchmark ratios for 2010/11 the additional VAT attracted on a £250,000 total annual cost of catering account would be approximately:

Additional food costs	£100,000	additional VAT	£125
Annual labour cost	£124,000	exempt except on Agency labour
Annual sundry cost	£6,000	additional VAT	£150
Annual management fee	£20,000	additional VAT	£500

TOTAL ADDITIONAL VAT

£775 PA

or a 0.3% increase

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7.1.11

FOOD SAFETY TRAINING

ISCC are delighted to announce a new training service: Food Safety Training

Elisabeth Fowell, Senior Consultant is registered with the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health as a qualified trainer.

ISCC is a Registered Centre for CIEH and we provide your staff with the training they need to achieve the Basic Food Safety Certificate or Level 2 which is ideal for those staff working directly in food preparation.

For further information please contact Lizzie at elisabeth.fowell@iscc.co.uk or on 07876 234377

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21.7.10

AMBERFIELD OPEN DAY JUNE 2010

Independent Schools Catering Consultancy were delighted to help out at Amberfield's Open Morning on Saturday 19th June 2010.

The theme of the day was 'Food Glorious Food' and parents were encouraged to visit the Dining Room to meet Chris Stanley from ISCC who has been supporting the catering team for the Summer term.

Amberfield School is one of our newest clients and we are very pleased with the progress that has been made by Debbie Adams, Chef Manager and her team.

For the full story click on the photo or for support with your culinary development email Chris by clicking here chris.stanley@iscc.co.uk or call 01743 240377

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14.5.10

ISBA CONFERENCE HARROGATE MAY 2010

Chris, Simon, Lizzie and Jane of ISCC would like to thank all the Bursars who visited our stand at the Harrogate International Centre.

We would in particular like to say a very big public thank you to all our Clients for recommending our services to colleagues; we truly value and appreciate your support and business.

We are currently collating the considerable number of requests for contact that we received and will be in touch soon to arrange appointments.

If you did mean to catch up with us but missed the opportunity then do please either drop Simon an email on simon.pollard@iscc.co.uk or call 01743 240377

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17.5.10

Vegetarian Society Recipes

The Vegetarian Society have produced a free catering booklet for school caterers.

The booklet contains 50 vegetarian recipes designed to be school age pupil friendly using inexpensive ingredients as well as being healthy and imaginative.

This can be viewed online by clicking on the logo opposite.

For a free paper copy or a CD-ROM email education@vegsoc.org

Don't forget that it is National Vegetarian Week from 23rd to 29th May so this booklet could prove to be invaluable!

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31.03.10

ISCC remain at the leading edge through ongoing development with sector specific recognised industry bodies.

ISCC is pleased to announce that Lizzie Fowell, Senior Consultant recently attended a training workshop run by the Boarding Schools' Association which provided an invaluable overview of the Ofsted Boarding Inspection model.

Lizzie Fowell said of the course:

"I recently attended the BSA's one-day seminar 'Preparing for a Boarding Inspection'. In particular, I found the session on standards and outcomes very valuable. The course covered the Children Act 2004, 'Every Child Matters', evidence gathering and the lessons which can be learnt from previous inspections, as well as providing a useful background to the topics which are currently the main focus of Inspectors."

Click the picture to read the full article.

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19.03.10

ISCC helps pupils at Channing School to bring healthy eating to life

Independent Schools Catering Consultancy Chef and Partner Chris Stanley launched a series of interactive live food demonstrations with the pupils at Channing School.

Is this something that your pupils at school would enjoy and benefit from? Please contact Chris on 07943 422888 for further information.

Click the picture to read the full article.

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03.01.10

ISBA Bulletin

ISCC was delighted to be asked by the ISBA to provide catering benchmark information for use in their December 2009 members' bulletin.

Please click on the graph logo to view the full version of the information supplied.

We have also produced an easy to complete ready-reckoner - you just need to inset your pupil numbers and trading days and your total cost of catering is self-calculated. Please click HERE to email us for this Excel workbook.

ISCC can provide formal benchmarking exercises to reassure Bursars and Governors that the cost of catering at school is in line with industry best practice parameters.

Please contact Simon for further information and project fees.

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31.12.09

SUSTAINABLE HOSPITALITY

As more and more Independent Schools look to reduce their carbon footprint and overheads, why not gain professional knowledge from catering industry experts at this special half day seminar which runs alongside Hotelympia in February 2010. The cost is £125.....but just how quickly can this cost be recuperated?

Click on the light bulb for further information.

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18.12.09

Chris and Simon are delighted to announce the arrival of Elisabeth Fowell to the ISCC team as Senior Consultant.

Lizzie Fowell ISCC
Lizzie joins Independent Schools Catering Consultancy from Caterlink (a division of BaxterStorey) where she was Sales Director for the last nine years. Lizzie brings considerable industry senior management experience and many Bursars may remember Liz (formally Humberstone) from her time at Sodexo in Independent School sales.

Simon Pollard comments "I am delighted that Lizzie has joined ISCC, bringing with her considerable expertise and experience. ISCC are determined to be recognised as the leading industry catering consultants in the Independent School sector and Lizzie will certainly help us further in building this reputation. I wish Lizzie a very happy and successful time at ISCC"

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14.12.09

ICC Happy Christmas Simon and Chris would like to wish all our Clients, friends and visitors to our website a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. We look forward to catching up in 2010....

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7.12.09
ISCC hotelympia 2010
Hotelympia - 28th February to 4th March 2010 at Excel in London

You can now register via the ISCC website to gain free entry to Hotelympia (normal entrance price £30):

click here to register

Discover more new ideas and innovations for your business at Hotelympia 2010. Network with friends, colleagues and over 1000 exhibiting companies. Enjoy the buzz of the world-class culinary competition, Le Salon Culinaire International de Londres, incorporating Live Theatre, Salon Display and La Parade des Chefs.

Sample exciting new delicacies in the Speciality and Regional Food Pavilion and explore the latest coffee innovations at the World of Coffee.

Attend CPD accredited lectures and seminars at The Design Link and learn from the brand new Sustainable Futures Seminars.

Simon and the ISCC team will be at the exibition and hope to see you there.

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02.06.09

Many thanks to all who visited our stand at the ISBA Annual Conference in Torquay.

We are delighted with the level of interest shown and the positive feedback that we received from both Clients and prospects.

We have a busy time ahead of us catching up with the many Bursars who requested a meeting. If you did want to arrange a meeting but didn't get the chance to visit us then please do call Simon on either 07943 422999 or 01743 240377 or drop us an email on simon.pollard@iscc.co.uk

Many thanks again and we look forward to either seeing you soon or if not then hopefully meeting up again in Harrogate next May!!

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06.05.09

PANDEMIC INFLUENZA ADVICE

With one Independent School already closed as a result of confirmed cases of Swine Flu it is of paramount importance that a plan of action for your catering staff is in place.

Click on the picture to download a plan kindly supplied to ISCC by Pabulum
(http://www.pabulum-catering.co.uk/)

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05.05.09

Want your pupils to be growing, cooking and eating fresh, seasonal, local & organic food and visiting the farms where their food is produced?

Join the Food for Life Partnership!

Awards for schools
Learn how to transform your school food culture using the Food for Life action framework and win awards for your achievements.

Benefits of joining:

- Free introduction pack
- Posters, recipe cards, and DVD's
- Guidance from our advice lines
- Cooking, growing & farm links resources
- Invitations to regional workshops
- Listing in our online schools database
- Chance to be selected as a Flagship School

Click on the link below for more details....

www.foodforlife.org.uk

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12.12.08

The 'Hospitality Show 2009' is being held at the NEC in Birmingham from 19th to 21st January 2009. Entry is free if you register early by clicking on the logo above.

There are some interesting seminars this year which we believe will be of particular interest to the Independent School sector these being:

Beating food inflation without compromising quality or brand and Source for all Seasons; the benefits of Seasonal Menus

There are also over 250 exhibitors, the Salon Culinaire live theater Competition and La Parade des Chefs

See you there !!

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11.12.08

ISBA Conference 2009 RIVIERA INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE CENTRE, TORQUAY

Chris and Simon are once again delighted to have been allocated a stand at the ISBA Annual Conference in Torquay next May. We very muck look forward to meeting many new and familiar faces.

Our presence has grown significantly in the marketplace this year with us gaining more than thirty new Clients.

Our projects, with schools who provide their own catering, have included relaunching food service offers, introducing new exciting menus, conducting onsite culinary training, 'hand-holding' during recruitment exercises and designing new kitchens and dining rooms.

We have also succesfully supported out-sourced schools through their catering tender exercises.

We are very grateful to all of our Clients for their business and wish them, and everyone who visits our website, a wonderful Christmas and New Year.

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2.12.08

Work-related injuries and ill health in the catering industry

There has been an increase in the rate of reported major and over-3-day injuries in the catering industry from 1999/2000 to 2007/08. In 2007/08 there were 65.8 reported major injuries per 100,000 employees and 230.1 reported over-3-day injuries per 100,000 employees.

Relative to other industries, a higher proportion of reported injuries in the industry were caused by contact with harmful substances, electricity and exposure to fire.

In 2007/08 the prevalence rate of self-reported work-related ill-health in catering industry was lower than for all industries (1.8 % people working in the last year, vs. 3.4% for all industries).

THOR surveillance scheme data, 2005-2007, indicates the incidence rate of dermatitis was higher in the catering industry than all industries.

In 2007/08 an estimated 0.73 days were lost per worker through work-related ill health or injury in the hotels and restaurants group. This is lower than the rate for all industries.

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21.11.08

Carbon Trust Interest Free Loans

The Carbon Trust is offering interest free loans of between £5,000 and £200,000 for the replacement or upgrading of existing equipment with a more energy efficient version.

Small or medium-sized enterprises, which includes Registered Charities in England and Scotland, or all businesses in Wales, that have been trading for at least 12 months and who have less than 250 employees and an annual turnover less than £35M can apply.

The loans are unsecured, interest free and repayable over a period of up to 4 years. There are no arrangement fees and applying is straightforward.

Follow this link to find out more: www.carbontrust.co.uk/loan

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12.05.08

ISBA Conference 2008

Chris and Simon would like to send out a very warm thank you to everyone who visited the ISCC stand at the ISBA Conference in Edinburgh and a special thanks for the interest shown and the kind words of support. We look forward to meeting with the many Bursars who requested appointments and hopefully working successfully with them for many years to come.

If you didn't manage to find the time to visit our stand but would like to arrange a visit by Simon for an introductory meeting then please call 01743 240377 / 07943 422999 or email simon.polllard@iscc.co.uk

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10.03.08

EASTER TRIVIA - DID YOU KNOW?
easter eggs

Easter is early this year. Easter is always the 1st Sunday after the 1st full moon after the Spring Equinox (which is March 20).
This dating of Easter is based on the lunar calendar that Hebrew people used to identify passover, which is why it moves around on our Roman calendar.

Based on the above information, Easter can actually be one day earlier (March 22) that is rare.

Here's the interesting information. This year is the earliest Easter any of us will ever see the rest of our lives! And only the most elderly of our population have ever seen it this early (95 years old or above). And none of us have ever, or will ever, see it a day earlier! Here's the facts:

1) The next time Easter will be this early (March 23) will be the year 2228 (220 years from now). The last time it was this early was 1913 (so if you're 95 or older, you are the only ones that were around for that!).

2) The next time it will be a day earlier, March 22, will be in the year 2285 (277 years from now). The last time it was on March 22 was 1818.

So, no one alive today has or will ever see it any earlier than this year!

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Hotelympia - 17th to 21st February 2008 at Excel in London

You can now register to gain free entry to Hotelympia (normal entrance price £30) via:

https://www.hotelympia.com/page.cfm/Action=PreReg/PreRegID=1/t=m

Discover more new ideas and innovations for your business at Hotelympia 2008. Network with friends, colleagues and over 1000 exhibiting companies. Enjoy the buzz of the world-class culinary competition, Le Salon Culinaire International de Londres, incorporating Live Theatre, Salon Display and La Parade des Chefs.

Sample exciting new delicacies in the Speciality and Regional Food Pavilion and explore the latest coffee innovations at the World of Coffee.

Attend CPD accredited lectures and seminars at The Design Link and learn from the brand new Sustainable Futures Seminars.

Visit Hotelympia 2008 and bring your passion for the industry to life!

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23.10.07

'Educate for Life' update

Having now received the cost of providing the daily lunches to the 80 children in the new school (Bal Vidhya) built by 'Educate for Life' in India ISCC have given a commitment to raise £1,000 to cover the full cost of these meals plus the introduction of a kitchen garden and the planting of fruit trees. Watch this space for fund raising activities.

If you would like to help or join us in raising money then please drop an email to Simon at simon.pollard@iscc.co.uk

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01.10.07
‘Best Places to Work in Hospitality Award 2008’
Do you run a successful operation and treat your staff well? Are your team at school more than just work colleagues; perhaps you are all friends outside of work? Do you really enjoy coming into school every morning to work together to prepare and serve food for the pupils? Do you have a great relationship with your customers and the school?
Do you want your staff and the school to be recognised for this achievement?..then get your entry in for the Caterer and Hotelkeeper Best Places to Work in Hospitality Awards 2008.
ISCC suggest that you enter the ‘Individual Unit’ category.
2008 Award Categories

Hotel chains with 1-10 sites
Hotel chains with 11 or more sites
Restaurant or bar chains with 1-10 sites
Restaurant or bar chains with 11 or more sites
Contract catering companies
Public sector
Individual unit
Hospitality supplier company

The closing date for entries is 31 October. The winners will be announced at an awards ceremony on 18 February 2008. If you have any queries about the awards and how to enter, please contact Lisa Goold on 020 8652 3656 , or email or bestplaces@caterersearch.com

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01.10.07
Educate for Life ISCC have teamed up with UK student charity workers Ed and Ash who run ‘Education for Life’. The aim of the charity is to provide education to children in deprived countries.
Their work since starting the charity has been phenomenal and they are now in the process of building their first eco-friendly school in the Uttar Pradesh region of India.
Their aim over the longer term is to also set up small workshops and cottage industries for adults of the community to help fund the upkeep of the school, aiding local economy as well as the school.
This really is a very down to earth charity with very few administrative overheads so virtually all money donated goes directly to their projects.

Watch this page for fund-raising events.

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best places news 01.10.07
Independent Schools Catering Consultancy has been launched today and Simon Pollard and Chris Stanley welcome you all to our new website.
The purpose of ISCC is to support in-house catering operations exclusively with the Independent School sector as well as providing tender consultancy packages.
Chris Stanley said of the new launch.....
“We are delighted to be offering hands-on culinary and managerial support to a sector of the catering and hospitality industry that we believe is unrecognised and unsupported. All too often focus from the support and press organisations are directed at hotels, fine dining restaurants and contract caterers.
My personal aim is to heighten the profile of Independent School catering. No longer will our work be the catering sectors best kept secret.”
Chris Stanley; Partner ISCC and ex Executive Chef at Sevenoaks School and Sir John Cass Business School in London.

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Advice

Interested in the effect your home and kitchen has on carbon emissions?

Need to know what next year's inflation rates will be?

Find all the advice you need right here. Simply scroll and click the links below...

'click here' to add a helpful new link

We are often asked about the best hand sanitisers for pupils to use prior to entering the servery area to help reduce the spread of germs.

There are a number of products on the market but we prefer the Germstar dispenser as it automatically dispenses a measured dose simply by placing a hand under the dome.

The dome can either be wall mounted or it sits on it's own frame giving you ultimate flexibility.

Please follow the link below for further details.

www.germstarhygiene.co.uk

In the UK we throw away 6.7 million tonnes of food every year, roughly a third of everything we buy. Most of this is avoidable and could have been eaten if only we had planned, stored and managed it better.

Click the '1/3rd of the food we buy is wasted' logo to see the full report recentlyproduced by WRAP and the Love Food Hate Waste logo for helpful tips on how to reduce your food waste.

Find the cheapest petrol near you...

The easiest way to find the cheapest forecourt in your area for petrol, diesel and LPG is by using the free website Petrolprices.com

After registering, enter your postcode & tell it how far you're willing to travel and it'll list today's cheapest petrol stations in your area for unleaded, diesel, LPG and other fuels. A quick check before you need to fill up should be enough to save you serious cash.

Financial Terms Glossary

Financial terminology can have many different meanings. Click on the pound sign link for a comprehensive up to date guide to the most commonly used terms and their meanings; in plain English!!

FAIR TRADE STATUS

Have you ever thought about registering your school as a 'Fairtrade School'?

The Fairtrade Foundation run a scheme whereby your whole school can participate in a scheme that encourages and promotes the use of Fairtrade produce. Click on the link for more information.

www.fairtrade.org.uk/schools

Why become a Fairtrade School?

1. Because it's only fair that the people who produce what we eat, wear and use should get paid enough to live on and a chance to improve their lives

2. And no-one has to do it alone – this website signposts local and national organisations that are keen to inspire, offer support, and provide you with information

Fairtrade...for the whole school

1. means the school gets local and national recognition

2. supports lots of other initiatives (such as Eco-Schools, International Schools and Healthy Schools

3. contributes to making the world a fairer place

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Carbon Calculator

How often do we hear about our carbon footprint and how we should be endevouring to make it neutral ?

Until now it has been difficult to actually work out the amount of carbon we produce. However the Government have recently launched this fabulous new website that makes it simple to calculate a very accurate carbon footprint.

Have a go using your home as a benchmark and then why not try calculating the carbon footprint in your kitchen at work.

Cross reference areas that seem high with the ISCC 'Energy Saving Management' and 'Environmental Management' Reference Papers to help reduce your footprint - hopefully one day to neutral.

Having introduced the initiatives detailed in the two reference papers try reentering your new details and see how much difference you have made!

Click HERE to calculate your carbon footprint

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