Hot Gossip > 10 Tips to increase business efficiency, resource productivity and aid the environment
Plenty of businesses now realise that taking on board more environmentally friendlier practices positively effects their bottom line - because conserving resources by cutting down on waste saves money!
And it doesn't have to be difficult. Below are 10 simple things your business can do now to immediately to conserve energy and resources, and start saving money.
- Before considering recycling, first look at how you can reduce your business' energy and resource consumption.
- Turn off equipment when it is not being used. Start by turning off computers, printers, photocopiers, room lights, etc. overnight. When staff are away from their computer during the day, have them turn the screen off or put the computer into 'sleep' code, rather than use a screen saver.
- Only print documents when absolutely necessary, print on both sides.
In New Zealand paper use per annum averages equivalent of 14.2 reams/person, and in Christchurch about 80,000 tonnes of waste paper and cardboard are generated every year.
- Choose office supplies with a recycled content. Switch to 100 percent recycled paper.
- Mine your office for paper than hasn't been used on both sides. Reuse it for internal printing or for memo/note paper.
- Refill used ink jet cartridges. Recycle toner cartridges.
- Replace disposable cups with ceramic cups that can be washed and reused.
- Buy local, it not only supports other local businesses in your community but it means the goods have travelled less to get to market, consuming less energy and producing less waste.
- Fix all dripping taps - one drip per second wastes 10,000 litres of water per year.
Idling vehicles isn't effective for warming the vehicle, nor is it better than turning off and restarting your engine - ten seconds of idling can use more fuel than turning off and restarting.
Anything that you can't reduce, reuse or recycle yourself, look for someone who can.
Organisations like:
- Creative Junk - Early Childhood Resource Centre. Receives any material, off cuts, old containers, or other interesting materials which are safe for children to play with.
254 Port Hills Rd Hillsborough, Christchurch. Ph:376-6292
- Molten Media - Christchurch computer and electronics recyclers
205 A Wordsworth St, Christchurch. Ph: 377 1154
www.molten.org.nz
- Mastagard Coleridge Recycling Ltd - free office paper recycling service.
Ph: 0800 88 66 55
www.mastagard.co.nz
When it comes to the environment, every little bit contributes to an overall positive effect. Small businesses dominate the New Zealand business environment, so everything we do has an impact.
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