Five organisations will benefit from Milton Keynes City Council’s Green Business Fund, to help businesses cut waste, lower energy use and reduce carbon emissions.

The city council offered grants of up to £25,000 earlier this year, to help local organisations reduce their emissions and make the city more sustainable.

One of the successful projects aims to turn waste from one business into a resource for another, in an act of ‘industrial symbiosis’. For example, construction waste such as packaging or sand would be repurposed by another company instead of being thrown away. This reduces waste, cuts costs of disposal and buying inputs, and lowers carbon emissions.

Another project, Sustainable Business: Milton Keynes (2.0), will offer tailored support for businesses to measure emissions, create practical carbon reduction plans and deliver Carbon Literacy training.

Five local organisations have secured funding from Milton Keynes City Council to help businesses cut waste, lower energy use and reduce carbon emissions. Photo: Milton Keynes City Council

placeholder image — Five local organisations have secured funding from Milton Keynes City Council to help businesses cut waste, lower energy use and reduce carbon emissions. Photo: Milton Keynes City Council

Community Solar for MK Business will work with projects installing community-owned rooftop solar panels on commercial buildings, giving businesses access to cheaper, cleaner energy.

MK Carbon Ready will bring tools, software and training to help up to 1,000 businesses measure and manage their carbon footprint.

Lastly, Green Business Sustainability and ISO Support Programme will help businesses improve environmental standards and long-term sustainability practices.

Together, these five projects will help local businesses take practical steps to reduce their environmental impact, while improving efficiency and resilience.

Cllr Jenny Wilson-Marklew, Cabinet Member for Environment, Waste and Sustainability said: “These projects show the ambition and innovation of Milton Keynes businesses. By supporting practical solutions like solar energy and smarter use of resources, we’re helping companies cut emissions, reduce costs and build a more sustainable local economy.

“With ongoing volatility in energy prices, it’s more important than ever that businesses take steps to manage their energy use.”

"Becoming more environmentally conscious not only reduces emissions, but helps protect businesses and the wider community from rising and unpredictable costs.”