BE SEEN TO BE
GREEN MAKE BETTER USE OF YOUR RESOURCES AND SAVE MONEY
Most businesses are feeling the pinch in this current financial climate. By improved use of resources, business can save money, run more efficiently and gain a competitive advantage. Measuring performance allows a business to determine objectively what is working and what is not. There are many low and no cost steps that can be taken to help you increase your business efficiency, improve your environmental performance and cut your utility bills.
The Scottish Government is committed to reducing waste sent to landfill to 1.32 million tonnes by 2010. This target will directly impact on businesses, for example through increased landfill taxes.
WHAT CAN YOU DO TO IMPROVE THE EFFICIENCY OF YOUR BUSINESS?
1. WATER
Reduce water consumption by fixing leaks - one dripping tap will waste between £17 and £50 per year in water and effluent charges - and installing water saving devices. Reducing a flush toilet from nine liters to seven liters per flush will save about £2.55 in water per employee each year. Installing a water meter can help save on cost.
2. WASTE
Rising landfill costs mean a small industrial company can pay four percent of its annual turnover. Setting up a waste segregation scheme to separate recyclable waste – this will minimise the amount of waste sent to landfill. Other options are to identify opportunities to prevent damaged
or out of date stock; buy in bulk and from local sources to reduce packaging; and buy refillable items, such as toner cartridges.
3. ENERGY
It has been estimated that 30% of the energy consumed by businesses in the UK is wasted, costing millions of pounds in revenue each year. All businesses can save money through improved energy efficiency, including better lighting, heating, insulation and process management.
Improve energy efficiency by reducing your heating to recommended levels of 19-21oC for an office environment and 16-18 oC for workshops. It is estimated that for every 1oC reduction in temperature, a business can save 8- 10% of their heating bills. Loft insulation should be the recommended depth of 10 inches (250mm) where possible and hot water pipes and storage tanks need at least 2 inches of insulation.
Industrial lighting can account for between 7-15% of the electricity used in industry. Savings of up to 50% can often be achieved by replacing lighting with lower energy equivalents
Energy Saving Scotland offers Small Business Loans to help purchase energy efficient equipment.
SEE MORE
The Business Environment Partnership T: 0131 561 6270 E:
aimee@thebep.org.uk
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68