Envirowise programme manager for Scotland, Robbie Weir, discusses the economic benefits that businesses could realise by placing environmental issues at the top of their agenda.
Now more than ever before, Scottish businesses are being forced to think seriously about their competitive position in the marketplace and most importantly, how they can continue to work effectively and successfully amidst the current economic climate.
With pressure coming from all directions, including consumer buying trends, tighter cost margins and more stringent environmental legislation – it's essential that companies realise the true value of resource efficiency as a potential survival aid.
Resource efficiency
One way organisations can tackle this is by adopting resource efficiency as a robust business strategy and a significant opportunity for cost savings. Companies should start to identify ways to eliminate or reduce unnecessary waste in all areas of their activity, including raw material, water and energy use. Reduced costs, better performance and improved working conditions could all be welcome side effects of taking action.
Those who are prepared to take action and implement a systematic approach to waste minimisation will also find it can pay dividends as part of their sales and marketing activities. More and more, clients are looking for higher levels of environmental standards to be specified when taking on new suppliers and contractors.
Envirowise aims to put the sustainable use of resources at the heart of Scottish business but for many companies, knowing where to start is the biggest challenge. However, the building blocks to a greener, more profitable business need not be as complex or time-consuming as some may anticipate.
By seeking expert advice from programmes like Envirowise, and by implementing easy, effective, low-cost measures to develop more effective waste management, businesses can expect to save as much as 4% of their turnover.
Practical action
So what actions can businesses take to get started? In the commercial sector in particular there are a range of quick wins with long-term benefits that can be identified in areas such as paper, energy and water use. Scottish Businesses that have taken advantage of our free services have benefited with an average financial saving of around £41,000 a year1.
Contrary to the expected trend towards the 'paperless office', paper consumption continues to rise. When you consider that a single office worker can get through up to 100 sheets of paper every day, reducing the amount used in the first place is crucial. It's vital for companies to realise that paper purchase is far more costly than disposal. Implementing a double-sided print policy or 'think before you print' campaign for office emails is a good starting point.
The largest controllable outgoing in an office however, is often energy consumption. Experience shows that simple good practice measures will not only lessen environmental impact, but can easily lower office energy bills by up to 50 per cent. These are costs that businesses simply can't afford to ignore right now, especially when you take into account the welcomed boost they could make to a company's bottom line.
Companies can benefit from taking a closer look at resource efficiency through the implementation of straightforward measures, including the re-use and recycling of IT equipment, a switch-off policy for lighting and computer monitors when not in use, and the installation of automated shut-off taps.
Water is another resource that is too often squandered unnecessarily. However, a business that implements effective water management measures could cut their water and effluent bills by around 30 per cent – helping protect themselves against rising costs.
Adapting for the future
The current economic climate requires us to be wise spenders both as individuals and at work. Achieving savings through better use of resources can have a tangible effect and while senior management support is crucial to success, the fact is that any member of staff in an organisation – at any level – can make a positive difference.
The fact is, businesses often underestimate how much waste really costs them. It's important to realise the cost of buying materials that become waste, or the value of materials, packaging, and other resources that eventually get thrown away. The true cost of waste is often as much as ten times the disposal charge.
Those who have already seen the early benefits of working towards a more resource efficient workplace should consider implementing an Environmental Management System (EMS) - a practical framework within which all environmental issues can be managed. This can be a useful internal management tool or alternatively a way of working towards external recognition of environmental standards.
To find out about the help available in going green and potential benefits in store, contact Envirowise for free, confidential advice on 0800 585 794 or visit www.envirowise.gov.uk/scotland
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Notes to editors:
1. Envirowise Impact Assessment 2007, Summary of Results in Scotland
The report was carried out by Databuild Research and Solutions in March 2007.
The research was conducted through a telephone survey of 3,250 sites. The sites included in the survey were drawn from two sources:
- Envirowise's database of recorded users
- An industry database from which recorded users had been removed.
The report assesses Environmental savings made in the calendar year 2006 by a sample of companies in Scotland in which Envirowise has been active and reports on environmental savings that can be attributed to the work of Envirowise with those companies.
About Envirowise
Envirowise is a Scottish Government-funded programme dedicated to putting the sustainable use of resources at the heart of Scottish business practice.
Since 1994 Envirowise has helped UK businesses save over £1Bn by enabling them to significantly reduce their environmental footprints.
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:
- The Envirowise Advice Line on 0800 585794
- An encyclopaedic website (www.envirowise.gov.uk/scotland) of valuable and relevant information
- On-site visits conducted by a nationwide team of expert advisors
- Events throughout Scotland, from Product Design Workshops to major exhibitions