smallbusiness.co.uk: Helping your business think big

These days, everyone knows deep down that they should recycle. But in a growing business where there are plenty of other preoccupations and all efforts are diverted into driving the operation forward, how do you go about making sure you are also being frugal with resources and, anyway, what is in it for you?

Apparently, the average office worker gets through a remarkable 1,584 sheets of paper every month, a figure that is rising by around 20 per cent every year.

If you’re shocked by this paper waste, these are some easy to implement and effective methods for saving paper and money:

• Set your photocopier to double-sided copying
• Rely on email rather than memos, letters and faxes
• Use scrap paper in your fax machine
• Use scrap paper for printing internal memos and minutes
• Have recycling bins within easy reach of all employees
• Make sure the bins are emptied regularly by arranging this in advance

Fancy a BREW?
Earlier this year, a £284 million initiative to help business reduce waste and cut costs was launched by Environment Minister Elliot Morley.

BREW, the Business Resource Efficiency and Waste programme, uses revenues from increased Landfill Tax to fund free services and support for business through a variety of organisations. It has been estimated that around five per cent of turnover can be saved through resource efficiencies requiring little or no investment.

Over the next three years the £284 million will be invested in groups such as WRAP, Envirowise and the Carbon Trust, which claims to be able to help businesses introduce no-cost or low-cost energy-saving measures that can cut costs by 20 per cent
or more.

'A wide range of industries, from manufacturers to retailers, can save literally billions of pounds a year by cutting waste and improving resource efficiency often with little or no investment,' enthused Morley. 'By getting involved, businesses of all sizes are set to boost profits while reducing environmental impacts.'

Useful contacts

• On reducing waste and environmental legislation as well as to arrange a free confidential site visit from Envirowise, contact the Environment and Energy Helpline on 0800-585 794 or visit www.envirowise.gov.uk.

• For information on recycling for businesses call WRAP's helpline on 0808-100 2040 or go to www.wrap.org.uk.

• To find out about the Carbon Trust Loans or to discover how the Carbon Trust can help your business become more energy efficient call the helpline on 0800-585794 or visit the Carbon Trust website www.thecarbontrust.co.uk.

• The National Industrial Symbiosis Programme (NISP), which finds potential market solutions to waste in all industries, can be found out at www.nisp.org.uk.

• Save-a-Cup is a scheme that collects and recycles used polystyrene cups. For further information call 01494-510167 or visit www.save-a-cup.co.uk.