Companies in Northern Ireland are being encouraged to make an environmental pledge this New Year – by committing themselves to saving a minimum of £250 during the year by introducing straightforward environmental improvements.
If every company succeeds, the collective benefit to the region of becoming more resource efficient would be as much as £13 million in one year alone. (1)
This challenge has been set by Envirowise, the government-funded programme which helps businesses to cut down on waste, become more resource efficient and make cost savings in the process. And by taking advantage of the free help available, companies can potentially save as much as £1,000 per employee in 2006. (2)
To get started, businesses are invited to take the following three, simple steps:
1. Visit www.maximiseprofit.org.uk
This web-based resource is the first step for businesses looking for straightforward, affordable ways to reduce waste. All you have to do is input a few basic details and the online calculator will reveal what sort of savings you could make on costs such as paper, waste disposal, water, heating and transport.
2. Call Envirowise on 0800 585 794
The Envirowise Advice Line offers free, confidential advice on waste minimisation to businesses across the UK. Further useful resources are available on the website www.envirowise.gov.uk
3. Arrange a free waste review (Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales only)
Companies who apply for an Envirowise ‘FastTrack’ visit benefit from up to half a day with a trained advisor working on-site to help produce a tailored waste minimisation plan. This will include savings targets, suggested actions on how to consume fewer resources and advice on legislation.
And every type of business can benefit – visits (Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales only) are individually tailored to each different size or sector, ensuring that each company gets the most relevant waste and cost-saving information available to them.
Envirowise Regional Agent for Northern Ireland, Sam McCloskey says: “This New Year provides firms with the ideal opportunity to discover the financial benefits of becoming more resource efficient. By challenging firms to take a few simple steps in 2006, we aim to help them claim their share of thousands of pounds of potential money savings.
“The fact is that many businesses do not realise that the real cost of waste is often more than five times the cost of disposal when materials, treatment costs, energy and wasted labour are taken into account. The benefits to businesses taking simple low-cost or no-cost waste reduction measures during 2006 – such as monitoring water consumption, introducing processes for recycling and reusing waste materials and raising staff awareness – are therefore substantial.”
For more ways to cut waste and save money, businesses should visit www.envirowise.gov.uk
(1) Based on there being 55,265 businesses registered in Northern Ireland, according to the ONS publication ‘UK Business: Activity, Size and Location – 2005’ publication
(2) Envirowise case study and waste minimisation club data shows companies implementing full waste minimisation measures can save up to £1,000 per employee.
- Ends -
Issued on behalf of Envirowise by Harrison Cowley. For further information please contact Kate Sturley or Rod Dennis on 0117 929 2311 or roderickd@harrisoncowley.com
About Envirowise
Envirowise delivers a valuable programme of confidential advice to UK businesses. This advice enables businesses to improve profitability and reduce environmental impact.
Independent, practical and proven guidance is available through the Envirowise Advice Line, information resources and on site visits (Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales only) delivered by a national team of expert advisors. Each solution is driven by the specific needs of individual firms, to genuinely improve their business practices, profitability and competitiveness. Since 1994, Envirowise has helped UK industry save £1 billion.
The Envirowise programme is available to any UK business, completely free of charge.
For more information visit www.envirowise.gov.uk or call 0800 585 794.