A possibility of saving £6.4bn per year for business, as Government figures show
December 2009
A campaign called Saving money – it’s your business is being launched by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs where it motivates business to take action to trim costs in ways that will also help the environment.
According to the government the businesses cab take simple money saving steps like turning off the lights and turning down the heating to save as much as £6.4bn a year.
Environment secretary Hilary Benn, speaking at the annual conference of Wrap, the government agency that works to improve resource efficiency said that businesses could kill two birds with one stone by tackling resource usage. Benn said: “Businesses are facing challenging times, today more so than ever, so finding ways to save money makes a lot of sense.
“Sustainability is the key not only to the environment but to business success. Now is the time to shape our businesses of the future.”
Research published by Wrap shows that 47 per cent of businesses recognise that by adopting simple efficiency measures like turning off equipment when it is not in use they could make savings of over £100,000. Researchers also found that 17 per cent identified over £1m of potential savings.
Wrap also stated that these measures could contribute as much as 10 per cent to the UK’s targets on reducing greenhouse emissions for 2020 with little or no investment from business.
A new booklet providing practical advice to businesses and examples of best practice is included in the campaign. Advice includes turning down the thermostat by one degree, which can result in a saving of 8 per cent. Turning off office equipment when it is not in use can also result in big savings, with a potential saving of £35 a year on a single computer.
Defra also gives few cost saving tips like fixing dripping taps which can cost businesses £400 per year and refilling rather than replacing printer ink cartridges.
Michelle Williams from Artemis Solutions Group who specialise in recruiting for the Facilities Management sector comments “The campaign Saving money – its your business the campaign could prove to be a positive step for businesses and help some towards a long term cost saving goals.”
