Many organisations (both large and small) now have a green business policy to help them consider and reduce the environmental impact of their business.
Being green in business may also help your organisation:
- be more efficient
- save money
- be more attractive to potential customers and investors.
What should you include?
You can get advice on writing and managing your business's environmental policy from the East Sussex Business Excellence Through Resource Efficiency programme, BETRE and Business Link.
Or get free and independent information on sustainable business practice from government funded programme Envirowise.
But, here are some basic green issues that you may want to consider as a starting point:
Your industry
- Have your assessed your organisation's carbon footprint?
- Does your industry cause any additional environmental impact that needs to be addressed?
- How do you consider the particular environmental needs of your local community?
- Do you ask your suppliers to meet green standards as part of their contract with you?
Business travel
- Do you encourage your staff to cycle, use public transport or car share?
- Can you offset unavoidable business travel with organisations like The Carbon Neutral Company?
Recycling
- Do you recycle office equipment such as envelopes, toners, cups, mobile phones and other office equipment?
- Have you dedicated bins to make it easy for staff to recycle?
- See our page on Waste disposal for business.
Energy
- Do you make sure that lights, workstations, mobile chargers and other office equipment are turned off overnight or when not in use?
- Can you lower your office heating thermostat?
- Is it possible to use a green energy tariff or renewable energy in your workplace?
Water
- Do you use water saving devices in your staff toilets?
- Is there signage in kitchen and toilet areas to encourage staff to turn off taps and save water?
East Sussex County Council