Eco-Innovation Cumbria

Centre for Waste Management (CWM)

Eco-Innovation Cumbria is a support programme to help small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) in Cumbria to improve efficiency, grow capacity and develop new solutions for industry.

The programme is funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and brings together expertise from the University of Central Lancashire, University of Cumbria and Lancaster University.

Eco-Innovation Cumbria will assist SMEs to increase innovation in and adoption of low carbon technologies and mitigate carbon output. Eco-innovation is innovation that reduces the environmental impact of products, processes and services or improves the efficient and responsible use of resources. The project will enable businesses to develop new products and markets through research and innovation and the development of higher skills, leading to significant growth in the Cumbrian low carbon and environmental sector.

The Eco-Innovation Cumbria project will provide a variety of free workshops and events around Cumbria to explore innovation challenges and develop collaborative research projects between the University partners and SMEs.

Projects

Eco-Innovation Cumbria can provide support to a variety of projects including, but not limited to:

  • Environmental Technology
  • Renewable Energy
  • Water Management
  • Food Security
  • Waste Management
  • Energy Storage
  • Natural Resources
  • Carbon Management

Expertise

The Centre for Waste and Resource Management at UCLan has expertise and access to low carbon technologies through research in the areas of resource optimisation, carbon footprint reduction, waste minimisation, life cycle assessment and energy efficiency.

The Centre also has access to leading academics in multiple disciplines across the University who will support the SMEs in the adoption and valuation of new and innovative low carbon goods.

The Centre will support SMEs in developing their eco-innovation projects through:

  • 20 days internship projects over a 3 month maximum period provided by undergraduate students who will be supervised by staff within the University.
  • In-depth and intensive one year Master level intern who will be recruited to support one or more businesses on longer term development projects under the supervision of University staff.