Starting simple is the key. Everything you can do to reduce your business’ impact on the environment will form part of the contribution. And if you are interested in making some serious changes to becoming more energy self-sufficient then there is over £1.2 billion of state funding which is held to provide your business with a contribution of its own. But in the mean time follow these ten steps to get your business moving on a greener route:
1. Call in the experts
If you really are lost and don’t know where to begin with going green, then getting an environmental consultant to work with your business is probably the smartest move to help you understand where it can save energy. It may save you up to 10% through no-cost measures and on general business will make savings of over 20%. There are free consultations available free through Business Link and some cases are eligible to receive a grant of up to £10,000 to instigate the recommended changes.
2. Cutting back on waste
As well as reducing your need for new resources and materials, cutting down on the outgoing wastes can save your business money by reducing waste disposal costs. There are also websites such as Freecycle that can show how one person’s waste is another’s treasure; and if you want to set up an additional new income stream, sites like Ebay are there to help sell the goods that are idle, or even the ones you don’t want to keep anymore.
Some simple steps for cutting back include little measures like printing on both sides of the paper and using scrap paper for notes. If you haven’t already, introduce recycling bins into the work area and set targets to encourage employees to use the facility.
3. Lowering vehicle emissions
It is common knowledge that vehicles are bad for the environment, but did you know that they can also damage your bottom line due to the increasing fuel costs and government taxes put on high polluters? But if you already operate fleet vehicle, ensure that they are serviced regularly to maintain efficiency, and when you next update them, consider more fuel efficient or hybrid models – you may even be able to qualify for tax relief as pat of the Enhanced Capital Allowance scheme. Take further steps by helping to set up buddy-systems for your employees and provide information on the available public transport.
4. Cut back on electricity
When the energy bill comes, don’t ignore it. One of the most obvious indicators of your impact on the environment is the energy bill. An average office wastes £6,000 each year by leaving equipment on over weekends and bank holidays. So wherever possible, whenever, switch it off.
5. Save on heating
Anyone who has worked in an office knows how annoying the hum of air conditioning can get. In a typical office, air conditioning can account for over 30% of annual electricity consumption. Insulation is a much more sustainable option for keeping the office warm and cut back on waste. Double glazing and cavity wall insulation will cut that 30% in half and save you on your heating bills – now how does that sound?
6. Renewable energy
Some energy suppliers are sourcing their energy from 100% renewable energy generators, so consider the changing your supplier. There are also grants to help you install microgenerational technologies like solar panels and wind turbines. There is even funding from the government to help you offset the costs – the Low Carbon Buildings Programme from BERR offers up to £100k to help you invest.
7. When you upgrade
The appliances and equipment you use will be guilty of wasting the majority of that negative output. When you upgrade make sure it is to more energy efficient models. Not only will it reduce your impact on the environment but it will minimise your operating costs.
8. Technology isn’t necessarily a bad thing
By utilising emails and instant messages, as well as telecommunications you can reduce the need for an unnecessary commute and associated carbon emissions. Teleconferencing equipment allows you to virtually attend meetings, which not only reduces your carbon footprint, but will cut-out that commute. The Community Network offer information on a number of ICT grants available form local authorities to help you invest in these types of technology solutions.
9. The goods and service industry
There is over £10 million proffered by the Technology Strategy Board to help firms carry out research into more energy efficient lighting, lasers and displays and a further £10 million for low carbon energy technologies.
10. Training
Where you see fit, advise your staff on the measure that they an take. Maybe hold an awareness day. There also posters and stickers to put around the office which can be obtained from the Carbon Trust to encourage and remind staff about the simplest things that they can do to help – for example, a 2°C increase in office temperature creates enough CO2 to fill a hot air balloon.
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This post was written by Ryan Whatley on August 15, 2008