“It’s not easy being green…or is it? What can you do on a day to day basis?”

Why not take on board some of these ideas on a step-by-step approach that will also help your business to make savings:

HEATING/ENERGY

• Switch off equipment when you’re not using it. Turn off the copier and monitors when staff leave, switch off lights when not in use, maybe timers would help.
• Set printers and copiers to print both sides.
• Fit energy efficient lightbulbs, use compact florescent lamps. These cost more, but last up to 18 times longer than ordinary bulbs and use around 80% less power.

Buy ‘A-Rated’ products.

• If your boiler needs replacing, fit a modern and more efficient condensing model, which could slash annual bills by a fifth. Now, turn down the thermostat by one degree centigrade and you will make noticeable savings.
• When heating or air conditioning is on ensure that windows are not open and do not heat any unused rooms.
• Regularly maintain equipment and turn off outside working hours.

PAPER

• When purchasing printed paper, buy recycled. Most paper shows recycling watermarks but try to ensure the paper is printed with the recycled paper logo to pass on the message to your customers and suppliers.
• Ensure you have exclusive waste paper bins which are suitable beside each desk.
• rrange an internal collection process and keep your waste within the collection bags for local collection or waste paper merchant.
• If you use a waste paper merchant ask them not to make a specific journey unless they are in the location, this reduces transport usage.

STATIONARY

• If you are purchasing stationery, furniture and other items try to build up the order over a period and order in one go, this generally provides a discount and further prevents transport usage and unnecessary additional boxes.
• Monitor the cost and record the quantity and analyse.

TONERS

• Try to purchase reuse or refill toners when possible. Keep used toners in storage and dispatch when you have sufficient quantities and give to charity.

OFFICE MACHINES

• Purchase equipment with the 'Energy Star' logo or power save feature.
• Do not leave on outside hours.
• Arrange for old equipment to be recycled.

TRANSPORT

• When using vehicles try to analyse and ensure an economic fuel, perhaps LPG powered vehicles.
• Purchase fuel when passing a fuel station rather then going out your way to purchase.
• Endeavour to reduce vehicle usage by route planning before making journeys.
• Try to use e-mail or video conferencing instead of travelling.
• Provide driver training promoting lower speeds / usage.
• Why not car share, use rail, cycle or walk.

WATER COOLER AND DRINK MACHINES

• Try to use china mugs or glasses.
• If using plastic cups, use one per person for the whole day.
• Use a timer to reduce energy out of hours.

BATHROOM

• Ensure extractor fans are off when out of hours.
• Switch off unnecessary lighting.
• Turn off taps and stop any leaking water.
• Use water meters and install tap aerators and low tap flow restrictors.
• Use recycled toilet tissue!

KITCHEN

• Use a microwave, cheaper than an oven.
• Only fill the kettle to what you need.
• Use low energy rated A for fridges and freezers.
• Install tap aerators and low tap flow restrictors.
• Use reusable tea towels.

OTHER MATERIALS

• Even though you may only use a small quantity of glass e.g. coffee jars, bottles, plastics, cups, cartons, or metal e.g. drinking cans, packaging fixings, drink containers, keep them in separate storage facilities and dispose correctly at your local recycling facilities.
• Install multiple glazing.
• Dispose of rubbish correctly.

ORGANIC MATTER

• Consider using a container for used tea bags, food/fruit skins etc, empty into a compost heap.

ALSO...

• Keep track of your bills to see what you are using. It’s easy to do and will help you see the impact of the changes you introduce by putting into place good energy-saving tips.
• Use Independent Insurance Services for your insurance requirements, as we give discounts for environmental best practice. Also, we are the only insurance brokerage in the world to be truly carbon neutral, have a full operating Environmental Management System that has been running for many years and are registered to the Environmental Standard 14001 since 2001.

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