Reducing your Carbon Footprint

Businesses can have a major role in reducing our overall carbon footprint. By making small, often inexpensive changes to working practices and premises, businesses can also benefit from saving money as well!

With an ever increasing profile, climate change is arguably one of the biggest threats facing the planet today. Legislation for environmental impact is becoming more demanding, as are consumers and customers who recognise that they have an obligation to purchase goods and services from suppliers who are ‘doing their bit’. Energy and fuel prices continue to soar and show no sign of stopping and the cost of disposing of our waste is also increasing.

Click here to calculate the carbon footprint of your organisation

There has never been a better time to think about your company and its impact on our environment! There is a huge amount of advice and support available to businesses, much of it free. Below are just a few starting points to kick you off…….

Envirowise is a government-backed free service to UK businesses offering independent, confidential advice and support on practical ways to increase profits, minimise waste and reduce environmental impact. Services and support can be tailored to your business needs. Products and services include:

• Free on-site visits
• Free advice line 0800 585 794
• Information on environmental legislation for businesses
• Useful publications
• Sector – specific information

The Carbon Trust was set up by the Government in 2001 as an independent company. Their mission is to accelerate the move to a low carbon economy by working with organisations to reduce carbon emissions and develop commercial low carbon technologies. Products and services include:

• Interest Free Loans for SMEs to reduce their carbon footprint
• Free advice line 0800 085 2005
• Free Carbon survey
• Free promotional posters for the workplace
• Useful Publications

Poultec, based near Dereham, under their BRITE2 project are offering businesses in Breckland free consultancy advice on improving your environmental credentials. An initial environmental audit, based on a site visit typically lasting no longer than 1 hour will result in a written report specific to the company covering areas such as:

• Identification of any legislation that the organisation needs to consider
• Suggesting ways to improve the environmental performance of the organisation.
• Highlighting any areas where further investigative work may be required

Audits can be specific to a particular subject (e.g. water use, energy use, waste management, etc.), specific to a particular area of business, or can be more general and cover a full range of issues

WRAP works in partnership to encourage and enable businesses and consumers to be more efficient in their use of materials and recycle more things more often. This helps to minimise landfill, reduce carbon emissions and improve our environment.

Their SME Recycling Programme aims to support businesses in overcoming the usual barriers to recycling and waste minimisation. Products and services include:

• Training and support
• Helpline 0808 100 2040
• Practical information about reducing waste
• E-newsletter
• Directory of Recycling companies