Cut waste to cope with harder times

9:20am Friday 29th August 2008

WORCESTERSHIRE business owners are being advised to cut back their use of resources to reduce the impact of the economic downturn.

Business Link in the West Midlands, the free business information and advisory service, is offering a guide on how to reduce costs.

Sandra Harding, brokerage adviser manager, said: “Adopting effective business practices will improve a company’s bottom line. However, this is more acute when money is getting tight and there are many ways in which being more environmentallyfriendly will really help.

“Cutting even a few hundreds of pounds of costs from your cost is equivalent to thousands of pounds of extra sales and this need not affect the level of customer service.

“Start off by considering how you can improve your operational cost, the use of raw materials, who you buy from, where and when. You should ask yourself if you can produce the product and deliver the service more effectively.

A more immediate result can be had by looking at your energy use and transport costs, as these are two major areas that you can make savings in quickly.”

Elaine Sharp, Envirowise programme manager, added: “The current economic climate requires us to be wise spenders both as individuals and business people.

“Getting started on the road to resource efficiency can be simple and straightforward.

And while senior management buy-in is crucial to success, the fact is that any member of staff in an organisation – at any level – can make a positive difference.”

Advice offered includes: * Getting staff to switch off computers, lights and highenergy guzzlers, such as electric tea or coffee machines or speakers. Taking these basic steps can cut energy costs by 10 to 20 per cent.

* Investing in new, more efficient equipment, as older pieces may use more energy.

If financing is an issue, companies may be eligible for a Carbon Trust interest-free loan – something worthwhile in these credit tight times.

* Make sure all deliveries or routes are carefully planned to keep mileage as low as possible.

If you run a fleet of more than 50 cars or trucks, get a free green review from the Energy Saving Trust.

* Train drivers to use minimal fuel, as drivers who have been through a safe and fuel efficient driving training course use on average 18 per cent less fuel, which typically equates to a £500 saving per van driver each year.

* Substitute some client faceto- face meetings for webbased video conference calls.

This will also help keep down carbon emissions by significantly

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