UK businesses are literally pouring their profits away with the financial equivalent of just under 40 bottles of champagne1 going down the drain every minute in wasted water, according to sustainable business experts Envirowise.
During Water at Work Week, September 17 to 21, Envirowise will be urging UK companies to review their water usage and take action to claim their share of an estimated annual national saving of £507 million2 through some simple water efficiency measures.
By signing up to Envirowise’s water efficiency campaign, The Big Splash, companies can access information packs, free workshops and interactive tools and a telephone-based advisory service. The results will be improved profitability and reduced environmental impact.
Dr Martin Gibson, director of Envirowise, says: “Our research shows that many companies don’t view water as a resource, underestimating its value and the volumes they are using and disposing of on an annual basis. Water at Work Week is about raising awareness of this issue and helping UK businesses make substantial cost savings.
“With businesses increasingly aware of the importance of their environmental credentials, but unsure of how to go about it, taking the plunge by signing up to The Big Splash can be a good place to start.
“And for those that have already taken water efficiency steps, signing up to The Big Splash can identify where further savings can be achieved.”
As Derek Jackson, Safety Health and Environment Specialist at Agfa commented: “Agfa has already made award-winning improvements in our sustainability and water consumption, but we would like to do even more. Historically we have found that a fresh pair of eyes usually gives good results and brings new ideas and the Envirowise Big Splash seems to fit the bill perfectly."
Since the launch of The Big Splash in June 2004, Envirowise has identified water related cost savings worth more than £8 million in UK business.
Companies can sign up to The Big Splash at www.envirowise.gov.uk/bigsplash
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Issued on behalf of Envirowise by The Mistral Group
For more information contact, Alison Hill or Lucinda Roberts on 01869 352 722 / alison.hill@mistral-pr.co.uk or 01869 352 729 / lucinda.roberts@mistral-pr.co.uk
Notes to Editors
1 Based on the average cost of £25 for a bottle of champagne such as Moet & Chandon, Lanson Black Label or Bollinger from a leading supermarket.
2 Envirowise statistics show that 1.3 billion cubic metres of water are being used by UK businesses every year, a figure it says could be reduced by 30% thought simple water efficiency measure, representing a saving of £507,000,000.
Envirowise is a Government-funded programme dedicated to putting the sustainable use of resources at the heart of UK business practice.
Since 1994 Envirowise has helped UK businesses save over £1 billion by enabling them to significantly reduce their environmental impact.
Envirowise offers businesses of all sizes and sectors a wide range of free, independent and practical advice designed to genuinely improve their processes, profitability and competitiveness. Services include:
- Advice Line on 0800 585794
- An encyclopaedic website of valuable and relevant information www.envirowise.gov.uk
- Over 200 events each year, from Product Design Workshops to major exhibitions