We all need to do our bit to reduce the harm being done to our planet and it really is a case of ‘every little helps’. BEST member Sally Rule has prepared a list of many things that all business owners can take on board both for their businesses and their homes.
Some suggestions to be more eco-friendly.
| Switch to a renewable energy supplier.
https://www.comparethemarket.com/energy/renewable/
|
| Save energy, by switching off lights when not in use. Plus, turn computers, monitors, laptops, printers, shredders off at night and over the weekend.
https://www.alphr.com/turn-off-computer-every-night/
|
| Install motion-sensor lighting in bathrooms, conference rooms, store cupboards.
https://theecoguide.org/benefits-using-motion-sensor-light-switches
|
| Install hand dryers or cloth towels instead of paper towels.
https://www.intelligenthanddryers.com/blog/the-top-ten-low-energy-high-speed-hand-dryers
|
| Install a water hippo in toilet cisterns.
https://www.hippo-the-watersaver.co.uk
|
| Install low-flow technology for tap and toilets.
https://www.notjusttaps.co.uk/watercontrols-saving-solutions.html
https://www.rj-solutions.co.uk/home/
|
| Replace light bulbs with only energy-efficient light bulbs.
https://energysavingtrust.org.uk/advice/lighting/
|
| Download an app to switch off appliances at smart plugs.
https://www.techadvisor.com/test-centre/digital-home/best-smart-plug-3649591/ |
| Please buy at least one large green plant! |
| Use dehydrated toothpaste tubs, stored in a glass jar.
https://parlatoothpastetabs.com
|
| Use recycled paper and stationary for business cards, letter heads etc.
https://www.eco-craft.co.uk/card-paper/paper.html https://www.protecttheplanet.co.uk/eco-office
|
| Use recycled pens and eco pencils.
https://www.peacewiththewild.co.uk/product-category/for-the-home/stationery/pens-pencils/
|
| If you have to print, only print vital papers and print both sides for non-vital. |
| Ask customers if they really want the printed receipt or invoices? |
| Can you offer your customers, incentives to go green – discount for their own cups, containers, digital invoices? |
| Plant trees on a monthly subscription.
|
| Change Banks, to those who provide companies and activities to support and protect the environment.
https://www.thegoodtrade.com/features/green-banking https://greenecofriend.co.uk/ethical-banks-uk/ https://www.co-operativebank.co.uk https://www.metrobankonline.co.uk
|
| Use ‘Ecosia’ as a search engine, instead of Google and plant trees while browsing!
|
| Set your printer to print on both sides.
https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2013-09/documents/fec_automatic_duplexing.pdf
|
| Reduce the number of waste paper bins at each desk, to encourage movement and recycling.
https://www.businesswaste.co.uk/paper-recycling/
|
| Can you provide all staff with their own branded plastic-free mug?
https://www.onegreenbottle.com/are-bamboo-coffee-cups-safe-and-eco-friendly/
|
| Source environmentally friendly packaging. |
| Re-use all packaging and cardboard.
|
| Can you sign up for a recycling programme?
|
| Replace desktops with laptops.
https://www.currys.co.uk/computing/laptops
|
| Reduce the brightness on your computer to 70% and save energy.
|
| Rent IT equipment.
https://technologyrental.co.uk
|
| Replace old appliances with energy efficient ones.
https://energysavingtrust.org.uk/advice/home-appliances/
|
| Compost tea bags and coffee grinds – better still, re-purpose them.
https://www.letsdrinktea.com/what-to-do-with-used-tea-bags/ https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/uses-for-coffee-grounds#TOC_TITLE_HDR_3
|
| Use coffee maker that doesn’t use filters and/or, use filters made of recycled paper.
https://groundtoground.org/2012/09/17/reusing-coffee-filters/ https://www.recycling.com/sustainable-coffee-guide/
|
| Can you assign a ‘green advocate’ to manage your sustainability strategy? |
| Create targets and goals for your green/sustainability processes. |
| Use eco-cleaning products.
|
| Encourage a number of workdays at home. |
| Encourage leaving the car at home and use public transport, bicycle or lift share. |
| Source and buy local green, as much as you can. |
| Participate in local climate action groups and educate yourself and others. |
| Consider installing electric charging points for vehicles, or perhaps share a point with a local business.
https://electriccarhome.co.uk/charging-points/charging-point-installers-surrey/
|
| Write a sustainability statement/ climate code
https://greenbusinessbureau.com/business-function/executive/sustainability-statements/
|
| Please all have a look at LoCASE (Low Carbon Across South and East) Refer to the email I sent on 17 March 2022.
|
| Please look at Zero in Guildford. A community space in Friary Street, promoting education and solutions. They have applied for funding from Your Fund Surrey (an initiation by Surrey County Council)
https://www.zerocarbonguildford.org
|
| Your Fund Surrey. Community driven and led projects, could receive funding from Surrey County Council. They have £100m for over the next 5 years to fund improving projects in the county. |
| Please look at Terracycle. A recycling company, recycling hard-to-recycle waste.
https://www.terracycle.com/en-GB/
|
| Vandana Shiva. Check out this film.
|
