Five ways to eco-save

Saving the planet doesn't have to cost the earth. In fact it can improve your bottom line, as Helen Warwick discovers

Who said being an environmentally friendly business means huge financial sacrifices? By embracing your green nature, you can actually save money throughout your firm – and we’re not just talking about a few pennies here and there.

According to research from the Carbon Trust, you might be one of the office-based businesses that waste £6,000 a year by leaving electrical equipment on at weekends and bank holidays. Reaping the financial benefits by being environmentally friendly doesn’t have to mean huge, disruptive changes throughout your business. Why not kill two birds with one stone and become an eco-saver?

Elaine Sharp, Programme Marketing Manager for sustainable business experts Envirowise, says: "As businesses large and small feel the impact of the challenging financial situation, it has never been more important to cut costs and improve business efficiency to save money. Energy efficiency is now the number one cost-cutting priority for UK businesses looking to positively affect their bottom line. Saving money by adopting environmental measures could help make the difference between business survival and failure."

Some of the many things your business could do to save the planet and money are shown below.

Be energy efficient

Ensure you close all doors and windows when it’s cold outside, turn down the heating and save money on your bill. Make sure lights, machinery and equipment are only switched on when necessary and are maintained to reduce operating costs. Energy-efficient lightbulbs also help to cut costs, and making sure your premises are well insulated increases energy efficiency.

Reduce your waste

Producing waste can be expensive. Not only are you throwing money away on unused materials, you also have to pay disposal costs. Recycling or treating waste as a resource can help you to extract the most value from your resources. So think about printing double-sided, using electronic communication and reusing paper, envelopes and printer toner and ink where possible.

Reduce your raw materials

According to Envirowise, a dripping tap can waste up to 5,000 litres a year, costing up to £700. Water can cost more than you think, particularly as you pay for it twice – to receive it and to take away waste. Ensure pipes are well insulated to protect against frost damage. Installing water-efficient equipment and using alternative water sources, such as rainwater and grey water reuse, can save thousands in the long run.

Keep up to date

It’s important to be in the know about what environmental regulations apply to your firm. Failing to stick to these can carry serious penalties – not to mention the bad publicity this can generate. Visit www.netregs.gov.uk to check your legal obligations.

Watch your travel costs

There are now tax incentives for firms purchasing more fuel-efficient company cars. The Vehicle Excise Duty rewards buyers who choose cars with lower CO2 emissions. Or encourage staff to cycle or walk. Under the government’s ‘cycle to work’ scheme, employers can loan bicycles to staff as a tax-free benefit.