Frequently Asked Questions

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What happens when I email this link to my supplier?
Your supplier will receive an email which will include the information completed by you in the message box. Your supplier will also receive a secure link so they can complete the information online at a time convenient for them.
What is a carbon footprint?
The term carbon footprint is commonly used to describe the total amount of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions for which an individual or organisation is responsible. Footprints can be calculated for events and supply chains. In order to produce a reliable footprint it is important that a structured process is used to classify all the possible sources of emissions thoroughly. It is typical to divide emissions into three categories: Direct emissions that result from activities that the organisation controls: eg gas and electricity used on site. Emissions from the use of electricity from non green sources and Indirect emissions from products and services. In the UK the BSI is working with a round table of industry sectors to produce a methodology and a standard for carbon footprinting, due for release in 2008. Meanwhile both DEFRA and the Carbon Trust in the UK provide a range of publications and sources of help on this topic, see weblink below. For more information visit: http://www.carbontrust.co.uk/energy
What are greenhouse gases?
Greenhouse gases are those which contribute to the greenhouse effect when present in the atmosphere. Six greenhouse gases are regulated by the Kyoto Protocol, as they are emitted in significant quantities by human activities and contribute to global climate change. The six regulated gases are Carbon Dioxide (CO2), Methtane (CH4), Nitrous Oxide (N20), Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), Perflourocarbons (PFCs) and Sulphur Hexafluoride (SF6). Due to chemistry each of these gases have a different global warming potential.
What is carbon offsetting?
Transport generates carbon dioxide emissions which can be offset This is an emissions reduction commonly resulting from a project undertaken in the developing world, or reforestation projects in the UK. Offsets are commonly used to net off corporate emissions so that an organisation can claim to be carbon neutral.
What does carbon neutral mean?
Some airlines are now offering carbon netural flights. This is terminology for something having net Zero emissions - product or organisation. To achieve true carbon neutrality an organisation must first calculate its carbon footprint and then either offset emissions from travel and product miles or invest in green sources of energy. Therefore a robust carbon footprint strategy is required to back up any claims that an organisation or product is truely carbon neutral.
What wastes are classed as hazardous?
Hazardous wastes are the most dangerous types of wastes, they can cause great damage to human health and the environment. These wastes are listed in the List of Wastes (England) Regulations 2005 and marked with an asterisk. Typical hazardous wastes now include: acids, alkaline solutions, batteries, industrial solvents, oily sludges, pesticides, photographic chemicals, waste oils, TV sets, computer monitors, paint and fluoresecent tubes. For any venue that produces hazardous wastes they must register with the Environment Agency in the UK and use licensed hazardous waste contractors to dispose of these wastes. For more information visit: http://www.defra.gov.uk
What are food miles and flower miles?
Most fresh flowers are air freighted under refrigeration conditions to keep them fresh. These are the mileages covered by the shipping in of food and flowers (or air freight) to the event. Different modes of transport have different environmental impacts - air frieght is by far the most damaging form of transport and has highest levels of Carbon Dioxide emissions associated with it. Rail frieght has the lowest form of emissions. There are a variety of conversion factors used to calculate emissions from Road, Rail, Air and Sea. These are covered extensively on the DEFRA website and the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) website, for further help or support on conversion factors please contact Crowberry Consulting Ltd.
What is the waste hierarchy?
The Waste Hierarchy Essentially this is a way of thinking about wastes, rather then seeing an end product as a waste it could become raw material for another process. The generation of wastes can lead to several options, the first being to eliminate the waste from being generated in the first place, re-use of the waste, recycling of the waste, the final stage of disposal if none of the other options are feasible.
What is the EU flower label?
The EU eco-flower label for environmentally sourced products. You may see the EU flower label as above on paper, this label specifies maximum limits for discharges to water, emissions to air and energy conumption as well as requiring sustainable forestry management for virgin fibre. EU flower label can be found on many products across the EU.
Whats the difference between ECF and TCF paper?
Paper labelled as ECF means that chlorine gas has not been used to bleach the pulp during the pulping process. TCF or totally chlorine free menas no chlorine compounds have been used during the pulping or paper making process.
What is ISO14001?
The international environmental management standard is termed ISO14001, and can be obtained usually within 12 months of an organisation beginning the process of embedding an environmental management system, for futher detailed information please contact Crowberry Consulting Ltd. For more information visit: http://www.crowberryconsulting.com
What is a waste?
Waste is any substance or object which the holder discards or intends to discard. Whether or not a substance is discarded as waste must be determined on the facts of the case and in light of judgements issued by the European Court of Justice and the UK courts. Therefore, there is no defintive list of what is and is not waste. More general information can be found on the weblink. For more information visit: http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/waste/topics/index.htm
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12345 wgc_issues_20_06_2009.doc 0KB For more information visit: http://www.carbontrust.co.uk/energy