Save money by using resources efficiently
Top 10 tips for reducing waste and saving energy
1) Turn off all office equipment when you're not using it - overnight, at weekends and during bank holidays.
A single computer and monitor left on 24 hours a day will cost over £50 a year. Switching it off out of hours and enabling standby features could reduce this to £15 a year each and prolong the lifespan of equipment. For a typical small office with 10 PCs, this could equate to savings of over £300 per year.
More information on using office equipment efficiently.
2) Turn off lights in empty rooms and replace bulbs with energy saving ones.
Lighting costs can be cut by as much as 15 per cent by simply turning off lights in rooms and corridors that aren't being used.
More information on using lighting efficiently - Opens in a new window.
3) Reduce water consumption by turning off taps fully and fixing any drips.
A constantly dripping tap can waste 500,000 litres of water per year. This could cost your business about £400 per year.
More information on using water efficiently.
4) Examine waste disposal costs and consider partnering with a nearby business to recycle your waste. Look at whether your waste could be turned into another business' raw materials.
Your business can save 4–5 per cent of its turnover by using waste minimisation techniques.
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5) Keep heating at a constant level and ensure doors and windows are shut when using heating or air conditioning.
Your heating costs will go up by 8 per cent each time you increase the temperature by just one degree.
More information on using heating efficiently - Opens in a new window.
6) Ask your suppliers about take-back schemes for unused products.
You may be able to get your money back, or at least a portion of the cost.
More information on making your supply chain greener.
7) Minimise the need for travel, and drive efficiently when travel is necessary.
A business with five company cars could save £5,300 per year through more efficient driving, leading to a reduction in fuel consumption and mileage repayment costs.
Real savings can be made on every vehicle used by reducing the load carried and good maintenance.
More information on eco-driving - Opens in a new window.
More information on using business transport efficiently.
8) Invest in efficient equipment to help cut your energy, transport and water costs. Government support includes interest-free Energy Efficiency Loans and Enhanced Capital Allowances.
More information on Energy Efficiency Loans - Opens in a new window.
More information on Enhanced Capital Allowances.
9) Use email where possible, set your PC to print double-sided and use refillable printer, fax and photocopier cartridges.
Your business can refill inkjet cartridges for about half the price of a new one.
More information on reducing office waste.
10) Let your customers and suppliers know you're committed to reducing your environmental impact, and promote it through your marketing.
More than a third of consumers would favour a product that has been designed with either low environmental impact, minimal packaging or recyclability in mind.
More information on how to market your environmental credentials.
Case studies
- Read about how Spirit Group could save 17 per cent of its projected energy costs by 2010 through auditing its energy and waste, and taking action (PDF) - Opens in a new window
- Find out how a green supply-chain partnership saved Boots UK £393,000 in its first 18 months and diverted 500 tonnes from going to landfil - Opens in a new windowl - Opens in a new window
- Read about how gift manufacturer Gilt Edged Promotions saved £2,000 per year by reducing waste
- Find out how Denso Manufacturing UK saved £30,000 per year by finding a customer prepared to pay for its industrial waste - Opens in a new window
