10 ways to... Be a more environmentally-friendly business

1. Know what environmental regulations apply to your firm. Breaking the law can carry serious penalties - not to mention the adverse publicity that can generated. Find out if you're meeting your legal obligations by using a free online assessment tool at www.netregs.gov.uk
2. Assess what environmental impact your business is having and look for ways to limit this. Bringing environmental management standard ISO 14001 into your business will help you (visit http://www.bsi-uk.com/Environment/index.xalter). Benefit from established knowledge that can help you make your processes greener.
3. Maximise your energy efficiency. Close all doors and windows when it's cold outside, draught proof and insulate your premises. Turning down the heating by a couple of degrees will reduce your bill. Make sure lights, machinery and equipment are switched on only when necessary. Get some energy efficient lightbulbs. Buy a more efficient heating system or water boiler. Make your production processes more efficient in their use of energy.
4. Look for ways you can reduce your water use and test for leaks. According to research by Envirowise, a dripping tap can waste up to 5,000 litres of water per year, costing up to £700. Simply changing a washer can solve the problem. To access advice on reducing your water use visit www.envirowise.gov.uk/wateraccount. Try to gain the support and assistance of your employees in this and all other measures.
5. Encourage staff to cycle to work. Under the government's 'Cycle to Work' scheme, employers can loan bicycles to their staff as a tax-free benefit, provided the bikes are used mainly to commute. By registering and buying a bicycle from an approved supplier, you can reclaim VAT on bike purchases and give employees the chance to buy a bike over an agreed loan period. For more information visit www.bikeforall.net
6. Buy more environmentally-friendly vehicles. If you're planning to buy a company car, tax incentives introduced in this year's Budget benefit firms that purchase cleaner, more fuel-efficient models. The new Vehicle Excise Duty rewards buyers who choose cars with low, less harmful, carbon-dioxide emissions (visit www.vcacarfueldata.org.uk/new-ved.asp). Generally, look at ways you can limit your company vehicle use.
7. Recover and recycle. Even simple measures can be effective. For example, use the blank side of redundant documents or stationery instead of binning them. Only print documents when necessary. Never send letters when emails will do. Re-use padded envelopes and other packaging you receive. Make sure your waste is suitably separated so that metals and paper can be recycled.
8. Dispose of waste properly. You're legally obliged to store waste securely and prevent it causing pollution or harm. Make sure the person collecting and disposing of it does so at a site that is licensed to accept the type of waste your business generates.
9. Make your products more environmentally-friendly. Where possible, create goods that can be reused or recycled when obsolete. Use environmentally-responsible materials and recycled packaging.
10. Buy green. Obviously price and service levels are always going to be governing factors, but, where a viable option exists, buy environmentally-friendly products. Ask your suppliers for a list of green products and services they offer.