Save cash by going green

Sep 11 2007 By Jon Griffin, Birmingham Mail

RETAILERS across the West Midlands are missing out on "easy" cash-savings - which could add up to many thousands of pounds.

The region's independent retailers could be missing valuable opportunities to boost their bottom line by not giving adequate priority to resource efficiency measures, it is claimed.

Sustainable business experts Envirowise found that a third of UK retailers surveyed had not yet begun to tackle environ-mental issues in the workplace.

And only 19 per cent recognised the potential for cost savings in this area - despite the fact that the average saving per business can be as much as £250 per employee per year.

John Barraclough, Envirowise regional manager for the West Midlands, said: "We know that smaller retailers have little spare time, with more than a quarter of businesses in the West Midlands relying on the owners themselves to take responsibility for environmental issues.

"However, this is an area where just a little time and investment can pay big dividends in terms of improved efficiency and lower over-heads.

"Implementing simple measures to improve resource efficiency - such as using raw materials, water and energy more effectively - can help retailers make valuable savings in a matter of months.

"Three-quarters of West Midlands businesses still haven't taken advantage of the free environmental support available to them from a range of organisations. This is a missed opportunity," he added.

He urged firms to consider a range of measures, including replacing inefficient lighting with energy-efficient bulbs and recycling waste materials.