Tag Archives: Environment

Business, Business News, Cleaning & Facilities Management, Environment

Safety of microbial cleaning products highlighted in European webinar

Global biotechnology company Genesis Biosciences featured the safety, efficacy and regulatory landscape of microbial-based cleaning products in a new webinar aimed at instilling confidence in the home care, industrial and institutional cleaning sectors in Europe.

Microbial-based cleaning products contain live microorganisms, such as Bacillus bacteria, which actively break down dirt and organic matter. When added to surfaces, the microbes germinate and secrete enzymes to break down complex organic matter into simpler molecules they can digest, continuing to work even after cleaning.

Dr Emma Saunders, General Manager of Genesis Biosciences, delivered the webinar to industry professionals across the UK and Europe on 19 March in the event facilitated by Marina Pellegrino, International Product Manager for IMCD Group.

Dr Emma Saunders said: “Microbial-based cleaning products are emerging as an effective alternative to traditional chemical cleaners, representing a new era of sustainable, science-backed hygiene. These products leverage naturally occurring Bacillus strains to provide long-lasting cleaning and odour control, and aid in the prevention of biofilms, black mould, FOG (fats, oils and grease) and nuisance microbes.

“We are at the beginning of an exciting shift in cleaning technology. At Genesis Biosciences, while we’re continuing to drive innovation and researching new Bacillus strains for enhanced cleaning, we’re also actively engaging with regulatory bodies to ensure a balanced framework that fosters both innovation and safety.”

During the webinar, Emma highlighted that any microbial strain used in cleaning products must be non-pathogenic and not associated with disease in healthy humans, animals or plants as per regulations such as the EU Directive 2000/54/EC, NIH Guidelines in the US and the WHO Risk Group 1 classification.

In the European Union in particular, microbial-based cleaning products are subject to multiple regulatory controls to ensure safety and sustainability including the EU Chemical Strategy for Sustainability, the EU Directive on occupational health risks of biological agents and the EU Detergents Regulation.

The European Union is currently revising the Detergents Regulation to explicitly address microbial-based cleaning products, recognising them as distinct from traditional chemical detergents and marking the shift in regulatory focus on eco-friendly and biobased cleaning solutions.

Emma continued: “While the changes to the Detergents Regulation aim to ensure consumer safety, industry stakeholders, including us, are actively advocating for a more flexible and scientifically sound regulation which fosters both consumer safety and market innovation.

“These products represent an exciting step forward in sustainable cleaning technology, offering key environmental benefits and extended cleaning effects for various applications. As we move forward, these products will play a critical role in reshaping the sector with safer, more sustainable and highly effective solutions and it’s important that professionals involved in the manufacture, testing and distribution of these solutions are confident and compliant.”

A recording of the ‘Confidence in Microbial Cleaning: Safety & Regulatory Compliance’ webinar is available to view on demand by visiting https://www.bigmarker.com/imcd/Confidence-in-Microbial-Cleaning-Safety-Regulatory-Compliance?bmid=d064da897644&bmid_type=member&bmid=d064da897644.

News

UK Businesses Face ‘Eye-Watering Sums’ that Could Threaten Their Survival as April Packaging Deadline Looms – Leading Compliance Firm Warns

Thousands of UK businesses risk unnecessary costs and financial instability if they neglect their packaging reporting obligations, experts at a leading environmental compliance firm have warned.

Manchester-based Ecoveritas, which works with leading brands like Harrods, Suzuki, Spar, and Selfridges, is urging firms to invest in their data to avoid overpaying and risking their survival.

With the April 1st Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) deadline fast approaching, some businesses may be too late to submit their reports for this cycle, and instead, the firm is advising them to focus on refining their data processes now to avoid unnecessary cost increases in the future.

The firm highlighted that large retailers could see their packaging compliance costs range from £40 million to £130 million annually.

“While it may be too late to overhaul reporting for this cycle for some, businesses need to take action now to strengthen their data accuracy for future reporting,” said Andrew McCaffery, Chief Strategy Officer at Ecoveritas.

“Compliance isn’t a one-time event – it’s an ongoing obligation that directly impacts financial planning and operational efficiency. Those who delay addressing their data accuracy may find themselves repeatedly overpaying and struggling with higher costs.

“For many businesses, this isn’t just about compliance – it’s about financial survival long term.

“A single miscalculation on packaging weight could cost companies eye watering sums well into hundreds of thousands of pounds. A 20-gram discrepancy per product might not seem like much, but for a product selling 12 million units, that’s 240 tonnes of material – equating to an extra £150,000 in fees for just one item.”

The new EPR legislation, which replaces the 1997 Packaging Waste Regulations, places the full financial responsibility for packaging waste management on producers. Businesses that introduce packaging into the UK market must now track, report, and finance the collection and recycling of their materials.

The regulations apply to businesses with an annual UK turnover exceeding £1 million, a physical UK presence, and those handling more than 25 tonnes of packaging each year.

Andrew added: “Companies that take a proactive approach to refining their data collection and reporting processes now will be in a stronger position for future reporting cycles.

“Those who put off addressing their data accuracy issues now may find themselves trapped in a cycle of inflated costs and avoidable penalties.

“Accurate and well-maintained packaging data also unlocks opportunities for businesses to optimise packaging design, reduce material costs, and streamline supply chain operations.

“This is about more than just avoiding fines. It’s a chance for businesses to take control of their packaging responsibilities, improve sustainability, and demonstrate leadership in environmental stewardship.

“By accurately reporting their packaging data and making informed choices, companies can reduce waste, lower their carbon footprint, and contribute to a circular economy – creating a better future for everyone.”

Businesses concerned about their compliance status can contact Ecoveritas by emailing info@ecoveritas.com or by calling +44 (0)1865 502176 for guidance.

News, North of England

Pioneering entrepreneur launches The Clever Carbon Company to help protect the planet

A pioneering entrepreneur has launched a series of ventures aimed at helping protect the planet by improving the sustainable practices of businesses and individuals.

David Oates, 45, has established The Clever Carbon Company, based in Worsley, Greater Manchester, with a mission to bring about change by rethinking the way that products are designed, made, used and decommissioned at their end of life.

He already runs a consultancy business called Mouthful, focused on advising the hospitality sector on strategy and growth opportunities. He is also a sessional lecturer at Liverpool John Moores University.

Previously, he had a varied career including roles as a manager in the strategy team at professional services giant KPMG and later as head of strategy at LateRooms.

He has a master’s degree in materials science from the University of Sheffield, an MBA from Leeds University Business School, and is a fellow of the Strategic Planning Society.

David has received support for The Clever Carbon Company from the GC Business Growth Hub, and funding from the Greater Manchester Combined Authority and British Business Bank.

He has also been collaborating with the University of Manchester, Manchester Metropolitan University and the University of Salford on research and development projects linked to aspects such as materials science, rapid prototyping, innovation and digital enablement.

Through a blend of product and service design and using innovative technologies, The Clever Carbon Company explores and identifies solutions in industries such as consumer products and clothing, which are currently the largest contributors to landfill.

The first priority area for The Clever Carbon Company is tackling the impact of single-use materials in the personal care industry.

This has led to NeuTrail, a novel refillable dispenser for personal care products such as shampoo or handwash. Using circular design, it is made from a single, recycled material, which makes the product easier to recycle repeatedly, and it has a simple, gravity-fed design. which makes it easier to use, even for people with mobility issues.

NeuTrail is being manufactured with short UK-based supply chains via 3D-print technology, meaning each dispenser can be personalised. The range has already gained listings in a number of catalogues offering sustainable consumer products.

David’s second priority area is clothing and textiles. The Clever Carbon Company is developing solutions for high-demand, non-discretionary clothing, such as uniforms and workwear, through a venture named Cottonopoly.

Partnering with UK manufacturers, Cottonopoly supplies cotton or polycotton garments, initially school cardigans and sweaters.

Parents pay a deposit on each garment, which is then refunded when the item is returned after use. Returns then have an extended life as either pre-loved clothing or by being recycled into products of similar quality.

Cottonopoly has been conducting a trial of the takeback scheme at St Mark’s Church of England Primary School in Worsley and plans to roll out in other parts of the UK later this year.

Father-of-two David said: “We’re providing affordable, sustainable clothing and are incentivising parents to return items they no longer need so they can be renewed, re-used or recycled.

“Having young children, I am fully aware how many garments families can get through, and how they eventually end up being discarded.

“Every year, millions of school garments end up in landfill sites or are incinerated, both of which are very bad for the environment and are quite avoidable.

“Cottonopoly puts an end to single-life clothing, offering high quality and affordable products that can be easily and efficiently repurposed or recycled with negligible waste. Our mission is to reduce the impact of clothing on the planet, as well as on household purse strings.

“We’re collaborating with local mills, reducing the need for transportation. Anything can be sourced cheaply overseas, but the traditional UK textile heartlands are the perfect place to establish short, UK-based supply chains, which will be an essential part of tackling demanding environmental targets.

“Manchester and the surrounding area have deservedly been considered a hub of innovation ever since the Spinning Jenny and Spinning Mule effectively triggered the Industrial Revolution in the late 18th Century. At Cottonopoly we are continuing this tradition with a 21st century twist that puts consumers at its heart.”

David is looking to expand Cottonopoly to include other school uniform overgarments such as trousers and shirts, as well as workwear and potentially leisurewear. Customers will be able to buy items online via the company’s website or its app.

He is also separately selling the technology incorporated into NeuTrail and Cottonopoly under the brand name Scan&.

“NeuTrail and Cottonopoly are both underpinned by the same traceable takeback technology which keeps track of every product we make, including what it’s made from, who uses it and when it’s time to ultimately repair, re-use or recycle it,” he said.

“We use circular-design and traceable takeback technology to provide products that last longer and don’t end up being discarded, thereby inspiring people to become more conscious consumers.

“Our technology tracks all our products through their entire lifecycle, which makes returning them effortless. Users are better able to keep track of what they buy and are directly rewarded for returning the items at their end of life.

“If society is to meet challenging climate targets in the years to come, this circular way of thinking about products will need to become more commonplace, which is where The Clever Carbon Company comes in.

“Currently the sustainability landscape is confusing to both businesses and members of the public. The Clever Carbon Company is all about making sustainable practice more accessible and practical.”

Climate, News, Sustainability

Medallia commits to achieving Net Zero by 2040

Medallia, the global leader in customer and employee experience, today announced a commitment to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2040, 10 years ahead of what is required in The Paris Agreement.

After measuring their baseline GHG footprint for the first time in 2023, Medallia determined that it would also commit to setting near-term science based GHG emissions targets through the Science Based Target initiative (SBTi) by the end of 2026 — joining more than 4,000 companies globally helping to create a zero-emissions economy grounded in climate science.

“Sustainability has long been a priority at Medallia and we’re excited to honour the environmental goals of our customers and partners by reducing our own emissions and in turn, helping them reduce theirs,” said Joe Tyrrell, CEO, Medallia. “This commitment is the first of its kind in the experience industry and highlights our industry-leading commitment to do our part in the fight against climate change.”

News

Virtual business card Zappify breaks records in milestone year

The entrepreneurs behind the Zappify virtual business card are celebrating a record-breaking year as they embark on their next phase of expansion.

Keith Robinson and Paul Smith launched Zappify during the first Covid lockdown in the spring of 2020 as a fully digital and green alternative to traditional printed business cards.

During 2023 they achieved several milestones, as businesses continue to seek ways to strengthen their environmental credentials.

Zappify is now being used in more than 40 countries across six continents, and over 250 companies employing 75,000 staff worldwide have adopted the technology.

The final quarter of 2023 saw Zappify actively used more than 30,000 times by businesspeople across the globe, representing a year-on-year increase of 273 per cent and up 149 per cent compared with the previous three months.

Zappify’s client base ranges from individual freelancers and start-ups to multinational companies. Users include accountants and solicitors, architects and property developers, and companies involved in sectors such as manufacturing, consulting, leisure and hospitality, oil and gas, creative and media, fashion, jewellery and telecoms.

Clients range from chartered accountancy firm Saffery, law firm Gateley, food wholesaler Bidfood and specialist lender Leumi UK to valve manufacturer Severn Valve, Bazooka Candy Brands, the maker of the famous bubble gum, and energy and marine consultancy ABL Group.

The Zappify card is contactless and enables users to swap contact information in person or over video conferencing platforms, email and messaging apps on their smart phones via a unique QR code or personal URL.

Clients pay an annual subscription to use the Zappify platform, and all data is held securely in compliance with GDPR requirements and with endorsement from the Information Commissioner’s Office.

Keith said that with increased functionality, including the options to share promotional corporate videos and generate personal video introductions, plus links to websites and platforms such as LinkedIn, social media accounts and YouTube content, Zappify is evolving into a powerful digital marketing tool rather than being solely a business card.

Zappify’s research shows that it takes almost seven litres of water to create 10 business cards. Each year, 10 billion business cards are printed globally, and 88 per cent are thrown away within a week. Over six million adult trees are destroyed each year to produce paper cards.

The upsurge in activity for Zappify, which is based in Bury, Greater Manchester, meant more than a million litres of water were saved in 2023.

Keith said: “Last year was a record-breaker for Zappify. Awareness is growing as companies and individuals everywhere put greater emphasis on the need to implement more sustainable practices and see the benefits of adopting ways to go digital.

“We saw exponential growth in the number of active users, and our global reach now stands at 265 companies operating in 41 countries.

“Our clients understand that virtual business cards are a cheaper and greener option than printed ones, with the added advantage that digital contact information can be shared more extensively using modern technology and devices, and can easily be updated when people move locations or positions.

“We have invested to further develop the platform by fully integrating Zappify with Apple Wallet, introducing an offline mode so that contact details can be shared on smartphones even where there is no signal, and enabling contact information to be displayed in any language, which increases our global appeal.

“Recently we have introduced a Platinum product offering a fully bespoke design experience, covering the virtual business cards, administration platform and user app. This is being rolled out after a successful trial late last year with a major UK-based property development company.

“Our growth means businesses are able to save more trees and water and conduct their affairs in a more digital, convenient and cheaper fashion.

“This year we are delighted to be launching an important initiative to encourage people to recycle their old, printed cards.

“By actively promoting recycling, this will further emphasise the sustainability message in business and demonstrate that every individual can make a difference, even if only in a small way.

“The ‘Zappify Pledge for the Planet’ will highlight that every contribution is valuable and will facilitate further savings of trees and water by putting back into the production process for alternative recycled paper products.

“This year is hugely exciting for Zappify as we continue to grow rapidly and see the digital card and platform become a one-stop digital marketing tool for our users.”

Carbon Reduction, News

Keysource and ChapmanBDSP Partner to Support the Data Centre Market on the Road to Net Zero Carbon

Keysource, the global data centre design, consultancy and operations specialist, and Chapmanbdsp the global built environment specialist, have formed a partnership that creates a new offer to support clients on the road to net zero carbon emissions in the data centre and critical infrastructure market.

The collaborative service combines both industry leaders’ expertise to provide customers with the ability to measure and manage the full carbon lifecycle of a project, including embodied and operational carbon, along with carbon offset options, whether planning a new build or upgrading an existing facility.

The aim is to give customers the insight of what contributes to a projects whole life carbon and the intervention opportunities available to realise their sustainability goals. The approach and methodology developed provides a transparent and visual way to manage key decision making whilst considering the broader impacts of those options.

Jon Healy, Operations Director at Keysource, commented: “We recognise that measuring and managing embodied carbon needs to form part of a holistic development process, particularly for data centres. This partnership provides customers a combined resource of consultancy and advisory services to complete carbon assessments in parallel with other project drivers. Leveraging our data centre experience, we’re able to provide customers with high impact and feasible opportunities.”

Ray Upjohn, Chief Executive Officer at chapmanbdsp, said: “We see great value in combining our skills in the energy and sustainability arena. Together we’re proud to support the data centre market in overcoming the challenge of achieving net zero.”

 

News, Sustainability

How IT procurement holds the key to a greener business

Written by Tim Westbrook, director at Stone Group

With sustainability rising up the agenda for governments, customers and staff alike, more businesses are committing themselves to a greener and more sustainable future. However, many don’t realise the importance of tackling e-waste if they are to truly make changes to their environmental footprint.

The amount of e-waste generated through 2021 was predicted to total an estimated 57.4 million tonnes – greater than the weight of the Great Wall of China, Earth’s heaviest artificial object. Much of this waste ends up in landfill, being incinerated, hoarded, or illegally traded. If no action is taken, the UK is set to become the biggest e-waste producer in Europe per capita by 2024, according to Spring. And, when you consider that the average business upgrade cycle happens every three to four years, an abundance of devices are deemed surplus to requirements on a regular basis.

According to our own research conducted with almost 1,200 employees, 55% place responsibility for tackling this issue firmly with business, a sentiment shared particularly amongst employees aged 25 to 34 and 24 and under with 82% and 74% respectively believing companies should be doing more to make a difference to the problem of e-waste.

So how can you help to tackle this growing problem?

Stop hoarding!

Now that many businesses are settling into new patterns of hybrid working, it is a great time to conduct an audit of your IT estate as there are likely to be many devices that are no longer required and many that have long been gathering dust in rooms and cupboards.  While you may not think this hoarded kit is of any value, making sure that these are disposed of responsibly can have a huge impact as they can go on to have second lives elsewhere and reduce the need for the manufacturing of new kit – more on this later!

Make, use, recycle

Rather than the traditional ‘take, make, dispose’ approach, a lot can be gained through a more circular ‘make, use, recycle’ route. This puts sustainability at the heart of every stage of the IT equipment’s lifecycle and considers how a business can maximise the lifespan of a product through repair or re-use as well as how they can re-use or recycle products when they reach the end of their lifespan. By doing this thinking up front, it also allows the business to be clearer on specification as they have the kit’s entire lifecycle and cost in mind. What’s more, the added environmental and ethical importance of the procurement process can also act as a barrier or deterrent to those employees that buy equipment outside of the agreed specification and process – an age-old and costly headache which leads to engineers and support teams being unable to sufficiently manage the kit.

Buying new is not the only option

As the saying goes, if you do what you’ve always done, you get what you’ve always got, so in order to make a difference, change really has to come right at the beginning of the process.  This could include buying remanufactured or refurbished products, an approach that would not only help to lower e-waste but is more cost-effective and also reduces the carbon footprint and environmental impact of manufacturing new products.

Alternatively, lease or buy-back options could also be a more sustainable route, either leasing the equipment you need for a period of time or buying the technology but with a clause in the contract for the supplier to buy-back all or part of the equipment which they can then go on to remanufacture or reuse.

There is still some hesitation from businesses around these sustainable routes, ranging from a fear of receiving inferior products, inadequate guarantees or a belief that they have a shorter shelf life. In truth, refurbished IT equipment is a great way of achieving the specifications a business needs at a lower cost. Reputable sellers offer refurbished equipment in a ‘like-new’ condition and offer warrantees that rival those for new devices.

Consider how to dispose of your unwanted kit

Whilst our research showed that a quarter of businesses were unsure what happened to their e-waste or admitted sending it to landfill, 2 in 5 (41%) organisations were trying to give their kit a second life by donating it to charities or schools and 31% use an IT asset disposal (ITAD) facility. In fact, those using an ITAD facility were not only reaping the benefits of their equipment being recycled or refurbished but cited the ease of the items being collected from their organisation and the fact that they could trust that data was securely wiped from their devices as significant factors behind their choice.

However, if you go down this route it’s vital to check a company’s ITAD accreditations to ensure their service complies with the necessary environmental and health and safety laws and guidelines. It is also a good idea to ensure they can provide a full report and traceability as proof that your equipment has been disposed of responsibly and make sure you choose a provider that guarantees zero waste to landfill.

Make sure it works for you

If any change is to be permanent, then it needs to work for the business and not be a burden. Your ITAD provider should make it easy for you to book collections via an app or website and, contrary to the many providers who charge a premium for collecting old kit, you should in fact look for a company that will offer rebates for your old equipment as many items will hold a residual value. The money you get back for your old kit can then be put towards your new IT purchases or reallocated elsewhere in the business. An increasing number of ITAD providers also now offer refurbished products from major manufacturers, and the option to tailor each machine to your specifications.

If every business was to adopt even one aspect of this circular procurement approach then it would make a significant impact on the world’s sustainability mission.

Carbon Reduction, News

Datum moves to Renewable HVO Fuel as Part of Net zero Operations Strategy

Datum Datacentres, the business-critical data centre provider, has announced it will be transitioning from diesel to renewable HVO (hydrotreated vegetable oil) fuel for its backup generators at its flagship facility on the Cody Technology Park, Farnborough.  Working in partnership with Keysource, the global datacentre and critical environment specialist, this move will enable Datum to reduce up to 90% of net CO2 emissions if its backup generators are used.

This marks another significant step in Datum’s plans to become a fully carbon neutral data centre by 2030. As a stable, renewable and sustainable fuel, the move to HVO will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by as much as 90%, NOx emissions by as much as 27% and PM emissions by as much as 84%, compared with conventional diesel, all of which are key components in achieving improved air quality.

This transition builds on over a decade of focus on delivering environmentally efficient data centre services, using innovative design and technologies which allow Datum to operate at a PUE of sub-1.2, harnessing renewable energy sources and reducing scope 2 and 3 emissions.

Dominic Phillips, Managing Director at Datum, said: “Sustainability is very much in our DNA and with our ongoing partnership with Keysource, which spans over 15 years, we are confident in our strategy and roadmap. This move to introduce HVO fuel at our Farnborough facility is part of that and has meant that we can reduce our GHG emissions almost immediately.

Jon Healy, Operations Director at Keysource, said: “As sustainability and ESG has been catapulted to the forefront, turning to HVO fuel is a natural step for Datum to reduce their impact on the environment. Importantly, the Keysource role enables Datum to do this confidently without disruption or impact to performance and is just one initiative planned to reduce whole life-cycle carbon emissions.”

Entertainment, News, North of England

Largest maze in North West promises heaps of family fun this summer

The Bolesworth estate, near Tattenhall in Cheshire is inviting local families to enjoy its summer splendour with sunflower picking and the largest maize-maze in the North West.

Children will have the chance to become explorers for the day as they adventure through the dense maze, then find the biggest and best sunflowers to take home as a souvenir.

The six-acre maze promise some of the best Instagram moments with a stunning backdrop of the magnificent Bolesworth Castle.

With nine varieties of sunflowers available to pick, visitors really will be spoilt for choice!

Picnic spots, arts crafts and refreshments, including Cheshire’s finest ice cream are all available – adding to the atmosphere of any trip.

Unlike many mazes across the country which have had to be cancelled or postponed, the Picking Patch team at Bolesworth have said that they have been very lucky with the recent growth spurt of both maize and sunflowers.

Nina Barbour, managing director at Bolesworth said: “The weather was definitely on our side as the rain came at the very last moment to help the beautiful flowers grow. A lot of hard work has gone into making the maze perfect and we can’t wait to see excited, happy faces as they spend the day navigating, exploring and having fun.”

The maze was planted in mid-May and has since grown into a wildlife hot-spot attracting lots of bees, wild birds and deer. Over winter, the maze and sunflowers will be left to provide food and shelter for deer and birds.

Bolesworth’s maize-maze and sunflower picking patch will open at 9.30am on Saturday the 20th of August, and run right through to the last entry slot at 1.30pm on Sunday the 4th of September. 

Free parking is provided on site and equipment such as secateurs, gloves and a bag are provided to help everyone to pick flowers like a pro.

Located just eight miles south of Chester off the A41, Bolesworth is renowned for hosting international equestrian as well as family events guaranteed to surprise, excite and thrill.

A series of events are lined up over the next couple of months, including a spooktacular maze with pumpkin picking, Gandeys Halloween Circus extravaganza, and an electrifying fireworks display and night show to end the Bolesworth Autumn season. Then it’s over to Christmas at Bolesworth.

News

Scottish education charity gears up for busy year of outdoor learning

As Scottish school pupils settle back into their classrooms, a leading environmental education charity is gearing up to inspire thousands of youngsters with unforgettable outdoor experiences.

The Field Studies Council runs a range of environmental courses for primary and secondary children from its Millport residential centre on the Isle of Cumbrae and each year it welcomes thousands of visitors.

And, with policies such as the Curriculum for Excellence and Learning for Sustainability continuing to drive Scottish education, the charity says the current academic year will be no different as teachers strive to provide a varied mix of experiences and opportunities for their pupils.

Charity Chief Executive Mark Castle, who was raised in Scotland and remembers fondly his first school trip to the Mull of Galloway, said the first schools would be arriving on site in September so staff were extremely busy putting the final touches to their itineraries.

“We are very much looking forward to the arrival of our first visitors this academic year and we hope that some of the nice weather we’ve seen over the last few months continues,” he said.

“Our staff are working hard to make sure everything is ready for their arrival and with a stream of bookings already in the diary, we’re pretty certain it’s going to be another very busy term.

“It really is magnificent to be able to welcome so many young learners to this very special location with its rich abundance of wildlife and marine species right on the doorstep.

“Teachers often tell us that when pupils leave the four walls of their classroom and come here to Millport that they come alive. They say being outside and experiencing nature first-hand enables them to unearth new skills, develop their confidence and connect with their friends and teachers in different ways.

“We know from our experience that academically, there are also huge benefits to learning outdoors. There is not a part of the Curriculum for Excellence that cannot be enriched by connecting to nature and our tutors at Millport work closely with all our visiting teachers to ensure courses are tailored to meet the needs of their pupils.”

Last year, after reopening following the pandemic and easing of coronavirus restrictions, staff at Millport welcomed in excess of 3,000 students to Millport.

Those visiting explored first-hand the rocky coastal shores which surround the centre and learned about the rich marine biodiversity by undertaking a range of activities from rock-pooling to species identification.

Some were also fortunate to take a trip out into the Firth of Clyde on board the centre’s very own revamped marine research vessel, which is often used for surveying and scientific sampling.

Mr Castle added: “Last year’s residential trips provided the ultimate tonic for students recovering from the social, mental and academic impact of the pandemic. They gave youngsters time to improve their health and wellbeing, time to re-engage with their classmates and teachers but most of all, they helped to reignite their passion for learning.”

FSC Millport caters for residential visits and day trips for all ages, primary through to university level.

It also hosts courses for families and natural history enthusiasts.

For more information about the Field Studies Council and its Scottish centre visit https://www.field-studies-council.org/locations/millport/.