| Why go Green? | | | | The basics |
| Within the office environment, we have become | | | | It helps to have an office walk-round to appreciate |
| used to the 24/7 convenience of electricity being | | | | the types and quantities of waste your business |
| available whenever we need it. However, if the whole | | | | generates. Getting all staff involved will provide an |
| world consumed as much resource as the UK did, | | | | impression of what is needed, what can be changed |
| we'd need three planets to support us! | | | | and what can be removed entirely. |
| Qualify for tenders | | | | - Do all of the office lights need to be on, all of the |
| Moral obligation isn't the only reason to start thinking | | | | time? |
| green. Larger companies often demand green | | | | - Could you have sent an e-mail instead of a letter? |
| credentials within their supply chains. Research by | | | | - Do you turn off electrical equipment when not in |
| government agency NetRegs, a provider of | | | | use? |
| environmental guidance to businesses, shows that | | | | - Wasting water? A dripping tap can cost £400 a |
| 95% of contractors are more likely to contract with | | | | year. |
| firms that prove they are green. | | | | - Are you recycling or reusing paper? |
| "In a poll of 14,500 people in 15 countries, more than | | | | - Could you use Skype (or similar) instead of travelling |
| half said they were active ethical consumers". BBC | | | | to a meeting? |
| (survey by Fairtrade) | | | | Maintenance is also important in achieving energy |
| Save money | | | | efficiency. Make sure that your premises are kept |
| It goes without saying that using energy-efficient | | | | properly insulated and that draught excluders are |
| technologies and watching your output will reduce | | | | fitted. Keep equipment clean and well maintained to |
| consumption and associated cost. If you're interested | | | | reduce operating costs. As well as day-to-day |
| in purchasing energy-efficient lighting, boilers, insulation | | | | activities, maintenance is key to sustaining your |
| etc. or low-emission vehicles, businesses can now | | | | environmental performance. Ensure that your |
| obtain Enhanced Capital Allowances and even get | | | | business premises are well insulated and draft |
| interest free loans. | | | | excluders are fitted. Even small things like cleaning |
| If your business uses more than a domestic level of | | | | windows may reduce the need for using lights |
| energy, there is an additional climate change levy | | | | unnecessarily. |
| added to energy bills. If you use less energy, the tax | | | | Your suppliers |
| paid is reduced. Simple! | | | | It's all very well looking at your own energy |
| Improve stakeholder relations | | | | consumption, but could your efforts be undermined |
| The figures already show that the majority are | | | | by your suppliers? You can be strict and enforce |
| concerned about the environment and it affects their | | | | environmental requirements or simply be more |
| buying decision. Don't forget that these 'consumers' | | | | selective about who you use. Think about how you |
| also work within your business, so informing and | | | | can work with suppliers to reduce waste. The |
| involving them in any environmentally friendly initiative | | | | products you buy from suppliers are just as |
| is great for employee morale. It doesn't end with | | | | important. Obvious improvements such as obtaining |
| current employees either, demonstrating your | | | | recycled paper (ideally FSC approved) from your |
| environmental credentials is an attractive quality when | | | | office stationary supplier are easy to make. |
| recruiting too. | | | | Demonstrating your green credentials |
| At a time when differentiation is important as ever, | | | | It's all very well saying what you do but there is |
| standing out from the competition is imperative. | | | | more weight behind it when its been proven through |
| When pitching for work outside of tenders, your | | | | external verification. |
| environmental credentials could be the determining | | | | ISO 14001 certification |
| factor for choosing your business. | | | | Recognised throughout the world, the ISO 14001 |
| How to go green | | | | environmental management standard can open up |
| See where you are now | | | | new markets and make a powerful statement about |
| To really see how efficient you are with energy at | | | | your organisation's environmental credentials. Not only |
| the moment, you can use a the Carbon Trust's | | | | does the standard help you demonstrate conformity |
| Carbon Footprint Calculator. Based on the results, you | | | | with legal requirements, it can also help cut energy |
| will get supplementary advice based on your industry | | | | consumption and waste management costs. |
| sector. | | | | |