Green Economy

Support and grants for high street businesses

• Getting on top of the materials and ingredients you buy, use and throw away can help you cut costs, tap into new revenue opportunities, and get ready for upcoming waste regulation. ReLondon’s support aims to help you do just that, with tailored advice from a business advisor and the opportunity to apply for a grant to try out new ‘beyond waste’ ideas! Visit their website to see what's on offer.
• If your business generates food waste and is based in Kingston Town Centre or North Kingston, you could benefit from signing up to a 'Smart Food Waste' pilot project. A dedicated food waste collection could help your business save money as it costs less to collect per kilo compared to when it is collected from your normal bin. Find out more on our website and contact business@kingston.gov.uk if you're keen to take part.
• Heart of the City has created a toolkit that you can download for free. It has been designed especially for SMEs in collaboration with sustainability experts from a variety of sectors. The toolkit has four modules: jargon busting, building the business case, measuring your carbon footprint and your net zero action plan. You can start with no knowledge of net zero as the first module will get you used to all the key terms, and you’ll finish having measured your carbon footprint and with a plan for your business to get to net zero.
• Join the UK Business Climate Hub where you’ll be given all the information and tools you need to help reduce your carbon emissions. It includes tools for benchmarking and reducing emissions and the opportunity for SMEs to sign a Climate Commitment
• Business Companion provides information for businesses and individuals that need to know about trading standards and consumer protection legislation
• The Mayor of London has announced additional support for small businesses to help with the expansion of the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ)
• Plug-in van and truck grants extended as part of government drive to decarbonise transport
• Take a look at the Workplace Charging Scheme which provides support towards the costs of the purchase and installation of vehicle charging points for businesses
• Take a look at the cargo bikes on offer from Peddle My Wheels - they're great for the environment and the health of your staff too
• The Climate Action Community Fund is available for projects which encourage communities to use energy in an environmentally friendly way and promote energy efficiency
• Better Futures+ is a free program of support for SMEs in London, funded by the UK government to support the capital’s journey to net zero. For more information and to join one of its three programmes (Cleantech Start-ups, Business Support and Retrofit accelerator), visit their website.
• Take a look at the benefits of getting a smart gas and electricity meter for your business
• Consider Carbon Literacy training for you and your employees
• Sign up to the council’s Business Newsletter - we’ll be sure to include climate information for businesses in future editions
• SLP Zero Waste Map - The map shows businesses, facilities and workshops within the South London sub-region that encourage the circular economy by eradicating waste packaging, encouraging reuse, upcycling and repair or offering facilities to recycle goods and materials once they have reached end of life. For general waste and recycling information in Kingston, visit the council website.