Medway City Estates Lake

- the final chapter?

Followers of Bio-Health's efforts in trying to save a wilflife sanctuary (see below) will be intrigued by the latest developments reported in the Kent Messenger 20th July 2007. Click here to see the article

Old packaging - who needs it?

"We do!" said teachers and classroom assistants at Brompton Westbrook Junior School in Kent

Bio-Health Directors June and Vic were puzzled when they discovered their factory cleaner was taking home bags of rubbish instead of putting it out for bin collection. So they decided to confront her with the matter. The answer she gave caused them an even bigger surprise: "Oh, I hoped you wouldn't mind, it's just that my daughter's school uses it for craft lessons". So far from minding, they thought this was an excellent idea. June paid the school a visit and now they have a regular drop of all the waste materials that would otherwise have ended up in landfill.

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Bio-Health supports Kent Air Ambulance

As part of its continuing "green programme", instead of sending out seasonal greetings cards at Christmas 2006, Bio-Health donated what this would have cost to Kent Air Ambulance. Confident that their trading partners and customers would feel comfortable with this gesture, the Directors were delighted to give their support to this very worthwhile cause.

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Keeping part of Industrial Estate green and pleasant

As marketing director of a firm that makes herbal medicines, it's not surprising that June Crisp is passionate about environmental concerns. But June is a shrewd businesswoman too, and has been quick to spot the economic advantages of the green approach to business.

It's something she has shared with readers of the Medway Messenger which, like June's company Bio-Health, is based on the less environmentally-friendly Medway City Estate.

Bio-Health has, for example, saved thousands of pounds by shredding all its waste paper and using it as packaging material. It has encouraged employees to cycle to work by buying them bikes. And it's created a wildlife zone around the factory with bird-boxes, water and seed-bearing plants.

June was outraged when she saw a lake opposite her factory was being filled to turn the area into warehousing and a lorry park. Her fiery campaign has won at least a temporary reprieve for the lake's ducks, egrets and other wildlife.

The campaign has also made hard campigning copy for the Medway Messenger.

Now, June is attempting to source more of the herbs her company uses locally, instead of importing them. It will mean fewer lorry journeys and could transform Kent into the herb garden of England.

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Bio-Health shows its green credentials

Kent-based Bio-Health, the herbal medicine and supplement manufacturer, has successfully vetoed plans to "fill in" a lake offering valuable sanctuary to wildlife next to its factory on the Medway City Estate. (HM Magazine Oct 2006)

The company, which is proud of its extensive "green" efforts to improve the sustainability of its operations, was devastated to hear that a much-valued lake on the estate was about to be turned into a lorry park. Bio-Health campaigned to oppose the plans, along with other businesses, local councillors and environmentalists, so they were delighted to hear that the council had decided to axe the plans. "We have worked tirelessly in recent years to introduce eco-friendly practice into all areas of our business. We have won numerous awards for our 'green' projects, such as recycling all our waste, cutting down on fuel and introducing staff bicycles. What is the point of us making all these contributions to protect the environment if wildlife area like this are destroyed?", said June Crisp, Sales and Marketing Director.

Bio-Health planted a wildflower garden in the summer of 2005 to encourage wildlife back into the highly industrialised area. The rarely seen Adonis Blue butterfly was spotted in the garden in July along with the Common Blue and a variety of bees, spiders and other insects. The garden also provides a peaceful sanctuary for Bio-Health staff to enjoy during breaks. All the company's production waste (pure herbal ingredients) and kitchen waste is composted and used in the garden. Bird boxes and a water-butt have also been installed. In addition to a variety of wildflowers, Bio-Health's garden features a number of common herbal plants such as ginkgo biloba, eucalyptus, wild chamomile and agnus castus.

Bio-Health recently received several plaudits for its "green" achievements including:-

Says June Crisp: "With 80% of all the companies in Kent like us employing less than 50 people, it would be great if they would follow our lead and introduce environmental and recycling measures."

All of Bio-Health's 20 staff got involved with the environmental initiative which June embarked upon about three years ago.

"We offered everyone the chance of getting a £5 voucher if they put pen to paper and came up with green ideas. Instantly we came up with bicycles for the staff and using glasses for water rather than plastic cups. What began as an environmental initiative soon had seriously positive financial benefits for the company too. In the first 6 months of the initiative, we saved £12,500 on reorganising factory and telesales operations. Rubbish disposal has been reduced from 2200 litres per week to 250 litres per fortnight, saving rubbish collection costs."

The company has also received lots of press coverage and publicity concerning its environmental projects in regional press and local radio.