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Green routines for micro businesses

If you run a small business, you�re probably the one who opens up the office, brings the milk in, switches off the security system, opens the post, checks the emails and faxes, empties the waste bins �.and so on. And at the end of the day, you�re probably the last one out, having activated the security system, turned out the lights, locked up, etc.

With so much to do everyday (as well as run your business!), �greening the office� is unlikely to top your agenda. But, as the owner and staff of �Coffee-Lux� (a �virtual� micro business based in the South East) discovered, there are ways of growing greener simply by growing smarter��

Be water-wise

Simple measures could help cut your water bill by approximately 50%:

Contact Southern Water who will visit your business and advise you how to minimise usage
Don't leave taps dripping � make sure they are fully turned off or repair them if necessary (one dripping tap can waste 8,000 litres pa on average)*
Equip the loo cistern(s) with a water-saving device (�Hippo�, �Hog Bag� or �Save-a-flush�). �Save-a-flush� available from Southern Water, usually free for local businesses � contact 01903 272483 for details.
Use a bowl with hot water and detergent to wash up in, not the sink. Wash cleaner items first.
Use tap water, rather than bottled water.

*Southern Water www.southernwater.co.uk

For advice on health & safety issues, contact www.businesslink.gov.uk or www.netregs.gov.uk.

Cut back on paper waste

Around 8.6 million tonnes of printing and writing paper enter the waste stream daily each year in the UK.* Paper and card account for 20 per cent of commercial waste** and 70 per cent of the waste in an average office waste bin is made up of paper (computer printout 29 per cent; mixed paper 23 per cent; corrugated containers 8 per cent; and newspapers 10 per cent).***

You can help reduce office paper consumption by:

Edit standard letters to fit onto one page
Place a 'Do you really need to print this?' sign next to printers and copiers
Place a paper recycling bin by the photocopier
Print on both sides of the paper (except for letters to clients)
Try to buy 100% recycled paper, envelopes and packaging
Send invoices and statements electronically via PDF instead of paper

* Defra, Industrial and commercial waste by business sector and waste type (2002)** Environment Agency Survey 2002/3 www.defra.gov.uk*** Friends of the Earth Scotland

Gear up to green techniques (ignore Mr Clarkson)

If you�re stuck in traffic for any length of time, switch off your engine. You can also become a better driver and reduce fuel consumption by:

Driving smoothly, not accelerating or braking too sharply
Changing gear at the right time - 2,000rpm for a diesel engine and 2,500rpm for a petrol engine � as this can help cut up to 10% of fuel costs
Filling up when passing a filling station rather than making a special journey
Checking the route before driving somewhere you haven�t visited before
Keeping tyres inflated at recommended pressures: soft tyres increase fuel consumption
A course in advanced driving practice (see www.rospa.com and www.jam.com) can help you learn how to reduce fuel consumption by at least 25%.

Next month... How to stay cool and cut energy consumption.