BUSINESS FACT SHEETS

Courtesy of

For further information go to  www.firststop4business.info

or Business link direct on Tel: 08457 566566  
website: www.businesslink.gov.uk

Environmental Business Imperatives

It's all about business benefits...not tree hugging!

We know the environment can be a turn off for business, being environmentally friendly usually conjures up images of tree huggers not a key to increased productivity and turnover.

BUT what if we said that it can increase your PROFITS?

Reducing your impact on the environment is not about hugging trees or saving the whale in your lunch break. It is about making simple practical changes that allow you to reduce your impacts while continuing to operate business as usual.

But my company doesn't have a negative effect on the environment!

If this is your thought right now then you are not alone, 75% of UK companies agree with you, but is this really the case?

As a business, you should ask yourself:

• Do we use electricity?
• Do we produce waste?
• Do we use water?

The answer is YES! ALL companies use resources and produce waste.

Is your company affected by environmental legislation?

Answer? YES! ALL companies in the UK are affected by at least one piece of environmental legislation, many by more AND did you know that there are over 1,300 to choose from? We can help you sort through the red tape and identify what applies to your business and what you are required to do.

So how do we increase our profits?

Environmental performance makes good business sense. The solutions we offer are practical, simple measures such as resource efficiency, energy efficiency, water efficiency and pollution prevention measures, which save money and reduce risk. And it works. We have already saved Northants businesses £1.9 million using these techniques.

What we are offering

Environmental Business Imperatives is a modular course (FREE to CW-IC members) that aims to identify the key issues that relate to business and the environment. It is not about telling you how to manage your company, that's your job. What we do know is how to manage and reduce your impacts, save you money and increase your profits.

There are six modules and completion of this course will arm you with all the knowledge you require to increase your profits without increasing sales, comply with environmental legislation and understand how you company impacts on the environment.

• Module 1 - Environmental Awareness
• Module 2 - Environmental Legislation
• Module 3 - Resource Efficiency
• Module 4 - Energy Efficiency
• Module 5 - Water Efficiency
• Module 6 - Pollution Prevention and IPPC

Please note that these modules are FREE to CW-IC members.

Membership of CW-IC can help you to save money that goes straight to your bottom line! To find out more read below.

Companies wishing to develop an Environmental Management System are recommended to enrol on all six modules, however you can book on one module or all six - it's up to you!

CW-IC boosts the bottom line of businesses by £1.3 million

Environmental advice and initiatives to save money and the environment

Research confirms that making environmental improvements can save your company money, improve your efficiencyand help you become more competitive. Good environmental practices are good business and the benefits apply whatever the size of your company.

Waste is expensive. The cost to your business can include waste disposal, wasted raw materials, staff time, energy costs and water and effluent costs.

We can work with you to help make your business more competitive by reducing, re-using and re-cycling waste.

The CW-IC way to cut costs

Business Link Northamptonshire is a key partner in Northamptonshire’s innovative project, Cut Waste-Improve Competitiveness (CW-IC).  The project won the best Waste Minimisation Project Award in the National Recycling Awards 2002 and has helped Northamptonshire companies make savings of over £1.3 million!

Getting involved in CW-IC is completely free of charge and provides everything you need to run your business effectively whilst making cost savings and minimising waste.

Simple measures improve profits

Through simple measures like switching off unnecessary lights, double sided photocopying, turning off computers during lunchtimes and meetings, and using push button taps, some local businesses have already realised they can significantly reduce their costs, adding to their profit margins and improving their environmental performance into the bargain.

CW-IC can help your business with:

• Free waste and energy audits by an experienced consultancy team
• Certificated training for your staff
• Free seminars and networking events
• Regular updates on environmental legislation
• On-going support visits to companies
• Advice on how to access sources of external funding
• A 'one stop shop' for advice on waste, energy and environmental issues

For more information please email Liz Mullis, Specialist Environmental Business Adviser or call 08457 566 566.

TOP