From Guest Blogger James Tipton: The Avoidance of "Going Green" in Business

Some businesses have been very slow to implement environmentally friendly changes into the running of their enterprise. Partly this may be down to fear that taking green initiatives will be expensive and partly it may be that they don’t recognise the many benefits available. This guide to environmental advice for businesses from Macair is a great resource for those who are at the start of their journey, to help them understand just some of the benefits going green can bring.

Save Money

A great incentive for making green changes for many businesses will be the financial savings you can make. By decreasing your consumption of natural resources, such as energy and water, you will lower your quarterly utility bills. Implement some of the following ideas and you should see dramatic changes.

· Ensure your building is well insulated and you aren’t losing excessive heat through the walls, roof and windows. If you install an air curtain it can form a barrier between the internal and external temperature and thus allow you to spend less on heating and air conditioning. The barrier also improves internal air quality by keeping out pollen and other allergens.

· A programmable thermostat allows you to switch off the heating and cooling systems when staff are not present and it gives you greater control over daily temperature changes.

· There have been great strides forward in the production of energy and water efficient equipment and upgrading to these can lower your bills. In addition, you should switch off all electrical equipment when it’s not in use as the standby mode still draws power. Also switch to low energy light bulbs and add motion sensors so lights turn on only when needed. The cost to install this equipment will be quickly outstripped by what you save on electricity bills going forward.

· Water is also a precious resource and one which isn’t cheap. There is much you can do in terms of water saving depending on the business you run. As a minimum install dual flush toilets, which save at least a litre of water on every flush, and automatic shut-off taps.

If you need any further incentive to instigate these changes you can also make savings on the purchase of water and energy efficient equipment through the Enhanced Capital Allowances Schemes, which can save you up to 21% of the initial cost.

Adhere to Regulations

Some environmental initiatives aren’t optional and if you find you fall foul of any green legislation you could find yourself on the end of a hefty fine and prosecution. You will need to investigate what regulations apply to your specific business. At the minimum there will be ones relating to waste management and the disposal of electrical equipment, but there could be a much wider range of regulations you need to comply with depending what you produce and sell.

Giving Back to the Community

Any eco-friendly changes your business makes will benefit you, the local community and the wider world. Every small step you take can lead to much larger benefits. Implement green changes in your business, with very little effort or expense, by encouraging the following:

· As discussed already try to decrease your consumption of natural resources

· Reduce waste and recycle everything possible

· Entice staff to travel by foot, bike or public transport to and from work, by offering tax incentives through the Cycle to Work scheme or loans for season tickets

· Ask your cleaning staff to switch to biodegradable cleaning products

All these areas help the environment but as a bonus they also encourage people to buy from you. Green companies are seen as trustworthy and this makes customers more willing to place themselves in your hands. Therefore, always make sure you add your green credentials to your marketing materials, including on your website and in your brochures.

With all these benefits offered by making green changes, isn’t it worth investigating them further for your business? Over the long term you will find you save more than you spend and you will also have the added incentive that you, your employees and your clients know you are making every effort to lower your carbon footprint. This is good for the environment and great for the future of your business.