Poor environmental management 'costs UK firms millions'

08 May 2012

Posted by John Bull

Failure to adopt simple energy saving measures such as switching off lights is costing businesses in Britain millions of pounds annually.

This is the claim made by the organizers of Green Office Week, who have advocated implementing effective environmental management strategies in order to enhance the sustainability of firms and generate financial benefits.

For example, encouraging workers to switch off lights in offices could save organizations more than £160 million per year, according to Gregg Corbett, Marketing Director of Avery, the company behind Green Office Week.

However, he added: "Too many businesses still believe that being green and trying to reduce energy comes at too high a financial cost. And yet there is very clear evidence to the contrary."

Mr Corbett noted other policies that can save energy and money include switching off personal computer monitors and printers when not in use or ensuring windows are closed when heating is on.

Green Office Week will run from May 14th to 18th 2012 and will promote environmentally-friendly policies in workplaces across the UK.

The Avery expert insisted that involving members of staff in "thought-provoking campaigns and initiatives" such as the event can lead to behavioural change and better environmental and waste management in the workplace.

His comments are echoed by office supplies specialist Banner Business Services, which has published a list of green money saving tips for offices, including only printing when necessary and just the pages required, using digital documents where possible and ensuring mailing lists are up date.

Other suggestions such as reducing font sizes to cut down on printing pages, setting up a recycling loop for confidential data and using refillable pens could also slash stationery costs for organizations.

"The 'Four Rs - Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Rethink' are the new 'make do and mend' mantra for the savvy credit crunch office manager," declared Richard Costin, Banner Business Services Managing Director.