Environment

As well as the Company’s pioneering eco-technology division, our environmentally responsible approach is apparent in all our trading operations. For example…

Bedfordia Properties

• During the course of a land development at Brickhill in Bedfordshire, a colony of great crested newts was discovered on the site. These newts are a protected species, so Bedfordia made provision for their welfare by funding the building of new ponds further north to enable them to be relocated. An application was made to DEFRA for a licence to move the newts, and once this was granted an ecologist was retained to ensure their humane capture and relocation to their safe new home.
• Although not a legal requirement, we service all oil-fired boilers in our residential properties annually. This ensures they run efficiently, reducing the amount of oil burnt and decreasing the harmful gases released into the atmosphere.
• All our residential properties are insulated and double glazed wherever possible to make them more energy efficient

Bedfordia Farms

• We have been members of the Countryside Stewardship Scheme since 1999 and as part of that scheme we have aimed to improve:
  • Woodlands and hedge rows: In the 10 years up to 1999 over 10 acres of trees in small and large spinneys were planted. Between 1999 and 2004, Bedfordia planted and restored 7,023 metres of hedges and planted 1,000 trees
  • Landscape: Strips of vegetation adjacent to hedgerows and watercourses have been allowed to grow and develop a tall tussocky nature which has added definition to these features and provided a natural habitat for wildlife.
  • Wildlife: Wildlife habitat has been improved by establishing grass strips without access that can buffer hedges and watercourses to provide refuges for birds and small mammals.
  • Access: Access routes developed under the Countryside Access Scheme have been improved and built upon(these routes allow a series of short or longer walks which link the existing network of public footpaths and are close to village centres)
• Bedfordia are active members of LEAF (Linking Environment and Farming) which encourages farmers throughout the UK to adopt a sustainable system of agriculture known as Integrated Farm Management.
• In 2007 Bedfordia became active participants in the ELS (Entry Level Scheme) which is a ‘whole farm environmental scheme’ run by Natural England and open to all farmers in England. ELS aims to:
  • Improve water quality and reduce soil erosion
  • Improve conditions for farmland wildlife
  • Maintain and enhance landscape character
  • Protect the historical environment

Automotive:

• Our automotive bodyshops use only water-based paints, reducing air pollution and providing health and safety benefits for staff. We use environmentally friendly products wherever possible - e.g. sealers, polishes, masking tape and covers.
• Waste oil is removed by a registered waste disposal transfer company and delivered to Corus Steel Works in the north of England where it is used to fuel the steel furnaces.
• Displaced coolant is taken by a registered company to a central waste oil company in Birmingham, where it is treated before safe disposal.
• Batteries are transferred to an alloy company where all parts are recycled.

Head Office:

• Our highly efficient heating and cooling system balances and exchanges hot and cold air in the building before using external energy.
• We recycle paper, print and toner cartridges, postage stamps, plastic milk bottle caps and used batteries.
• Food waste from Head Office is taken to our BIOGEN plant for processing into electricity and bio-fertiliser.