Sustainablilty Tips for businesses

Whichever way you look at it, adopting responsible and sustainable systems, solutions and procedures makes good business sense. It can reduce the cost of your utility bills, attract customers who care about a company’s green credentials, raise staff morale and put you ahead of the game when legislation becomes tighter on responsible waste management and sustainability. Above all, it will help to reserve the world’s natural resources and reduce pollution.

Here are a few simple measures that you can implement which can and will make a difference:

Purchase of Goods and Services

Source electricity supply from green electricity supplier where possible and use a green tariff
Use photocopiers that have an automatic switch off timer when not in use
All PC’s should be PAT-tested (portable appliance testing) to comply with the relevant standards for energy efficiency and electrical safety
Remind employees to switch off lights, electrical equipment and PC’s when not in use
Recycle toner cartridges for charity

Water

Install dual flush toilets to minimise water use
Fit tap aerators
Fix all leaking taps
Fit a water hippo in the toilet cisterns. 30% of your precious water supply is flushed down the toilet. Hippo water savers can be ordered by contacting 08457 440088 or by email: waterline@waterni.gov.uk
Catering establishments should wash vegetables or rinse dishes in a bowl rather than under a running tap - leaving a tap running can waste up to 9 litres a minute
Always select the correct wash cycle on washing machines and don’t run with less than a full load

Paper and packaging

Choose a printing company recognised for their green credentials. This includes making a wide choice of recycled materials available, recycling set-up and wastepaper from the printing process and disposing of chemicals responsibly
Attempt to produce and use items that make greater use of smart, eco-friendly packaging to reduce excessive packaging
Ask customers if they need a plastic bag rather than provide them automatically
Use recycled paper for in-house printing and select the option to print on both sides of the paper where appropriate
Provide recycling bins for employees to use

Transport

Encourage employees to use public transport where possible with purchase of Translink multi-journey cards
Encourage staff to car share, offering incentives such as free car parking or designated parking spaces for those who participate
Offer bike storage facilities at work