By Robert James Fenn
The Institute of Directors estimates SMEs can slash energy bills by 20% by taking a range of simple steps. It's difficult to change old habits, so here are five suggestions that are easy to implement for all offices.
Cut Heating Bills
In the summer, opt to open windows before resorting to fans and air conditioning. On colder days, encourage staff to wear a jumper rather than turning up the heating. A mere one degree change can save 10% on heating bills, whilst cutting greenhouse emissions. Think about the positioning of furniture too, providing space to radiators so heat can circulate and therefore be as efficient as possible.
Some responsibility may lay with your landlord. If so, at least remember to report faulty heating and lighting equipment so that energy isn't waste.
Switch Off
It may not always be sunny here in the UK, but on the odd bright day, why not open the blinds up and see if you make do without all of the lights on? With lighting accounting for about one third of the electricity used in the office, cut your bills by turning off lights when they are not needed, such as in the meeting room. Pass the message onto cleaners too, getting them to switch off before they leave.
Contrary to popular belief, the fluorescent lamp does not wear out more quickly or consume more electricity when it is turned on and off.
Think about the little things too, does the kettle and microwave always need to be on? What about the scanner and photocopier?
Reuse Packaging
Think about how best you can reuse before you get to the stage of recycling. Do your printers have a double sided printing function? Otherwise, you can always print work on the unused side if it's not going to be sent to clients.
Packaging is also something you reuse. Within a week, most businesses receive all sorts of packaging, from cardboard, foam to bubble wrap. Could this be stored and reused rather than thrown away? This is a great way of doing your bit to minimise landfill.
Formalise Recycling
For items you cannot reuse, see what your local council or landlord offers for recycling. Once you know, you can label up separate bins so different types of packaging and material can be recycled easily.
When it comes to purchasing, try and go for the eco friendly alternative. There is the full environmental cost to consider too, it's best to pick local suppliers as this reduces emissions when delivering.
Ditch Disposable Cups
The water cooler is a cornerstone of socialising in the office, but it is also guilty of being the biggest contributor to waste. Most disposable cups often found with water dispensers aren't recyclable. For example, a styrofoam cup takes over 50 years to decompose.
Recently, a law firm found they were using 317,500 paper and plastic cups in a year, which is equivalent to 738 for each of its 430 employees. By encouraging employees to bring in their own mug, it saved £14,355. It's such an easy alternative to implement, why not start it today?
Cut Heating Bills
In the summer, opt to open windows before resorting to fans and air conditioning. On colder days, encourage staff to wear a jumper rather than turning up the heating. A mere one degree change can save 10% on heating bills, whilst cutting greenhouse emissions. Think about the positioning of furniture too, providing space to radiators so heat can circulate and therefore be as efficient as possible.
Some responsibility may lay with your landlord. If so, at least remember to report faulty heating and lighting equipment so that energy isn't waste.
Switch Off
It may not always be sunny here in the UK, but on the odd bright day, why not open the blinds up and see if you make do without all of the lights on? With lighting accounting for about one third of the electricity used in the office, cut your bills by turning off lights when they are not needed, such as in the meeting room. Pass the message onto cleaners too, getting them to switch off before they leave.
Contrary to popular belief, the fluorescent lamp does not wear out more quickly or consume more electricity when it is turned on and off.
Think about the little things too, does the kettle and microwave always need to be on? What about the scanner and photocopier?
Reuse Packaging
Think about how best you can reuse before you get to the stage of recycling. Do your printers have a double sided printing function? Otherwise, you can always print work on the unused side if it's not going to be sent to clients.
Packaging is also something you reuse. Within a week, most businesses receive all sorts of packaging, from cardboard, foam to bubble wrap. Could this be stored and reused rather than thrown away? This is a great way of doing your bit to minimise landfill.
Formalise Recycling
For items you cannot reuse, see what your local council or landlord offers for recycling. Once you know, you can label up separate bins so different types of packaging and material can be recycled easily.
When it comes to purchasing, try and go for the eco friendly alternative. There is the full environmental cost to consider too, it's best to pick local suppliers as this reduces emissions when delivering.
Ditch Disposable Cups
The water cooler is a cornerstone of socialising in the office, but it is also guilty of being the biggest contributor to waste. Most disposable cups often found with water dispensers aren't recyclable. For example, a styrofoam cup takes over 50 years to decompose.
Recently, a law firm found they were using 317,500 paper and plastic cups in a year, which is equivalent to 738 for each of its 430 employees. By encouraging employees to bring in their own mug, it saved £14,355. It's such an easy alternative to implement, why not start it today?
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