The Green Revolution: Are You In?

8 Mar, 2018

The crack down on plastic pollution has been a big environmental topic recently and in January the government published their 25 Year Environment Plan which details how it plans to tackle this issue alongside many others. Following the success of the 5p plastic bag charge which has helped to reduce the use of carrier bags by 85%, the government now plan to extend this charge to apply to all shops.  This policy has demonstrated how “protecting our environment is a job for each one of us” and other initiatives include all supermarkets to introduce plastic-free aisles as well as encouraging children to engage more with the environment.   Such domestic changes are a step in the right direction but what can businesses do to reduce their impact?

How does my business damage the environment?
All businesses impact on the environment in some way. Two examples are:

• Clear Waste
  The majority of businesses will create waste, whether this is the use of paper in the office or resources used by manufacturers. Cutting down on the waste your business produces is a key step in reducing your impact on the environment. Whilst doing so, you are also saving company money.
• Emissions
  Emissions from businesses (often in the manufacturing industry) have the most damaging impact with some containing chemicals lethal to the environment. Legislation is in place to help regulate these emissions in order to limit the damage as much as possible.

What can your business do to reduce your impact on the environment?
There are many things your business can do to reduce your impact, some examples include:

• Implement a printing policy, such as two-sided printing or setting printers to automatically print in black and white
• Distribute documents such as memos, staff manuals, handbooks etc. via email or online
• Invest in hand driers to avoid paper towels
• Place paper recycling boxes around the office
• Encourage staff to use a ‘green’ mode of transport or to car share
• Replace lightbulbs with energy efficient LED bulbs
• Make sure lights are turned off when rooms/buildings are not in use
• Encourage staff to shut down PCs after-hours rather than leaving them on standby
• Invest in energy saving appliances
• Consider installing a water boiler in the staff kitchen to avoid boiling the kettle

These are just some ideas but there are many others your business could adopt.

How can the ISO 14001 Environmental Management System reduce your impact?
ISO 14001 can help your business reduce its waste and carbon footprint significantly, therefore lowering its environmental liability. This system is proven to make businesses more aware of their environmental responsibilities, including legal and regulatory accountabilities, and better able to manage and control associated risks.  Examples of the top benefits to your business include:

• Tangible cost reductions by using the ‘Reduce, Reuse and Recycle’ approach
• Enhanced company image
• Reduced impact of business activities on the environment

For more information on ISO 14001 Certification to include how to get certified or to obtain a quote, please visit our website.

Is there any training that can help?
We currently offer a one day course designed for anyone with an interest in controlling aspects of the business that have a significant impact on the environment. You do not need to be looking at an environmental standard or even be currently certified to benefit.

The course helps businesses to identify areas where costs savings can be made, set environmental objectives and evaluate their current performance to help identify areas of improvement. Full information on this course, including dates and booking information, can be found here.

If you require any further information, please do not hesitate to contact our team on 01905 670 303 or info@isoqsltd.com