About Encirc

Encirc is also one of the leading wine, beer and spirits bottle fillers in the UK, and is the only company to offer a full ‘360’ approach to the beverage supply chain, creating flexibility, support and minimising carbon impact.

The issue

Many organisations have hidden dependencies on biodiversity and ecosystems services, essential for their everyday operations.  However, biodiversity is declining at alarming rates, creating risk for business. A key driver of declines in biodiversity is habitat loss. Setting aside land for nature is therefore an important part in tackling this crisis.

What Encirc did

Encirc undertook an 18-month project to transform an area of waste ground within their landholdings into a looped walkway that would support nature and biodiversity, as well as the well-being of their staff members. The area of land initially supported some woodland, fallen trees, and mounds of unused inert stone and soil.

Objectives

Objectives of the project:

• Maintain and enhance biodiversity on-site
• Minimise habitat loss
• Integrate green infrastructure into design
• Support local species
• Achieve Biodiversity Net Gain

Baseline

Encirc commissioned an Ulster Wildlife Ecologist to conduct a baseline ecological survey of the land. The survey revealed that the land incorporated habitats including secondary woodland, scrub, ponds and streams, with a diverse range of native species. No protected species were recorded during the baseline survey. The Ecologist concluded that the habitat conditions were initially poor, with significant potential for biodiversity enhancement.

Design and Mitigation Measures

It was imperative that biodiversity was considered during the design and development of the looped walkway. The footpath was created using sheep fleece donated by local farmers, and this was layered with stones. Waste from resurfacing of the site driveway was also incorporated into the path.  These materials were used in lieu of plastics, to allow for natural water drainage.

Planting included wildflowers, native trees and species-rich hedges. Ponds, which are now one of the rarest habitat types, were also incorporated and designed in such a way that they are beneficial to native biodiversity (rather than being ornamental).

Some end-of-life tree felling needed to take place for safety reasons, but all dead wood was maintained on site, supporting insects and other organisms that rely on this habitat type.

Other features include bird boxes, made by the local Men’s Shed group from disused wooden pallets, a reflection garden with sensory flowers and art made from old materials, wildlife cameras.

As well as outdoor meeting/eating areas, made out of old shipping containers.

Impacts and outcomes

Habitats created and restored:

• 140m of hedgerows
• 300m2 of Wildflowers
• 500m of sustainable walkway
• Sensory planters

Species supported:

• Small mammals
• Birds
• Insects
• Native vegetation
• Native amphibians and reptiles

Community Benefits

• School involvement in creation of the walkway through volunteering, as well as biodiversity walks and workshops.
• Approximately 600-600 users per month recorded.

Challenges and Lessons Learned

The project was led and completed by Encirc employees. This meant that if work schedules or daily duties changed, sometimes timelines for the project were pushed out. It was also difficult to find native wildflowers. The best approach is to allow the native flowers already present in the soil’s seed bank to establish naturally, without adding any new seed.

Finally, if appropriate planting times were missed, this had to be rescheduled to the next season.

Conclusion

Green infrastructure was integrated into the walkway design through the installation of sustainable drainage system and re-use of inert waste rubble from the driveway resurfacing.  Native wildflowers planting along the verges and on different areas on the walkway, birdboxes and the inclusion of hedging along the ponds to the entrance has created a green corridor for both people and wildlife.  These measures are helping to enhance biodiversity in the locality.

How BITC helped Encirc

BITC’s Business and Biodiversity Charter has been an integral part of understanding our upstream and downstream impacts on biodiversity and has provided a framework for how to manage them and their associated risks.