Simple improvements 'can make SMEs more environmental friendly'
Nov 26 2007
Making "simple improvements" to resource and waste management can help SMEs be more environmentally-friendly, claims an environmental agency.
Examining how much paper and resources a business is throwing away is a good place to start, say advisors on environmental best practice in the workplace, Envirowise.
They add that on average 60-80 per cent of office waste is paper.
A spokesperson for the organisation says: 'It goes without saying that businesses will produce waste, but they should try to reduce it by following the principles of the 'waste hierarchy framework': eliminate, reduce, re-use, recycle and then dispose.'
Envirowise says setting printers to print on both sides would automatically reduce paper budgets. Adding a 'think before you print' signature to emails could also act as a good prompt to others.
Approximately 145 million tonnes of solid waste are produced each year in the UK by households, commerce and industry, according to Envirowise figures.
Over 60 per cent of this goes to landfill sites for disposal while 40 per cent is industrial and commercial waste.