How to take action on the environment
Checklist
- Assess the environmental impact of the materials and energy you use, the waste and emissions you produce, your transport operations and the products you supply.
- Investigate the regulations which apply to your business, and any forthcoming changes.
- Find out what customers and employees expect, and how better environmental performance could improve your marketing and recruitment.
- Decide whether you should implement a formal standard such as ISO 14001.
- Ask key suppliers of materials, utilities and equipment how they can contribute to your environmental efforts.
- Find out what help and advice - often free - is offered by organisations such as the Environment Agency, your local authority and your trade association.
- Design products to minimise waste, packaging and the use of environmentally unfriendly materials and production processes.
- Store and dispose of waste safely; ensure your waste collector is registered to handle your form of waste, and does so properly.
- Encourage employees to save energy; consider investing in energy-efficient equipment.
- Ensure that any discharges and emissions, and other effects such as noise or dust from your business, are minimised or eliminated if possible.
- Prepare an action plan to deal with any shortcomings.
- Review the environmental impact before committing to new projects.
- Communicate your environmental commitment to customers and others through your product labelling, PR and other promotional efforts.
Cardinal rules
Do:
- investigate the environmental impact of your business
- tackle problem areas
- check what regulations apply to your business
- take advantage of free help
- let people know you are environmentally responsible
Don't:
- use wasteful processes and equipment
- dispose of waste carelessly or illegally
- ignore the business benefits of better environmental management
Contact
- NetRegs, 08708 506 506
- The Carbon Trust, 0800 085 2005
- Business Link, 0845 600 9 006
- Environment Agency, 08708 506 506
