Being green can also mean being lean.

There is a thought that “green” does not mean “lean”. 

With the focus today on cost-cutting many businesses are sidelining environmental initiatives in favour of “cheap” alternatives - despite still caring about the issues.

• When purchasing new equipment consider a low energy, reduced footprint model made from recycled and / or recyclable components.

• Turn heating down and close windows. By turning heating down by just one degree, and keeping windows closed in air conditioned rooms, you can immediately save hundreds of pounds in electricity bills (up to 8 percent according to Business Link), preserve utilities and reduce carbon footprint.

• Fix all dripping taps. A constantly dripping tap can waste 500,000 litres of water a year – costing business approximately £400*.

• Turn off unneeded lights and fans.

• Turn off office equipment at night.

• Replace traditional light bulbs with low energy bulbs.

• Set power saving options on PCs and office equipment.

• Keep the fridge door closed, and don’t over fill the kettle!

2. Swap office equipment for online or outsourced business services

Most business processes are now PC-based so there’s little need for businesses to maintain consumables or energy-hungry fax machines, colour printers and binding machines.

Replace fax machines with subscription or pay-per-use online fax services (SaaS), which send faxes as PDFs from PC to fax or fax to PC.

Save electricity and time by using local business centres to print and bind documents. Look for centres with collection and drop-off services to save on petrol.

Most banks offer paperless online banking, and many suppliers offer discounts for web-based accounts.  Not only will you get better rates, you’ll save paper, as well as the cost and time needed to request cheques and administer postage.


3.   Replace mail shots with emailed PDFs and viral marketing campaigns

Immediately eliminate production, paper, ink, consumables and postage and distribution costs, whilst enabling the delivery of better targeted campaigns with increased response rates. 

4.   Conduct meetings online

Replace face-to-face meetings with calls and video conferences using Skype, supported by webinar technology to host presentations.

Immediately you cut travel and subsistence costs, eliminate carbon foot print and better utilise employee time.  Where Skype is used the meeting will become cost-free.


5.   Introduce green incentives to your daily routine

• Introduce car share and walk-to-work incentives.  If possible, offer season ticket loans to encourage the use of public transport.

• Centralise purchasing to enable bulk buying of recycled stationary, paper and toilet rolls. 

• Consider shopping at supermarkets.  These are competitive; have promotions and some offer reward points on green and Fair Trade items.

• Forgo paper cups for reusable ceramic mugs.

As you can see, becoming more environmentally-friendly doesn’t have to cost your business, or conversely, the earth.