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Could Your Business Save Money through Environmental Awareness
If your business is
aware of its impact on the environment, then
you are one of an increasing number; but are
you aware that acting on environmental
issues could actually help you win new
customers and save money.
A new survey by NetRegs,
the government’s environmental advice site
has found that small businesses are
increasingly showing a desire to act on
environmental issues; driven mostly by a
genuine concern, rather than the legislation
and costs which drive a higher percentage of
medium and larger businesses to act.
However, that does mean many small
businesses are yet to realise that good
environmental practice can be profitable.
In the survey,
businesses were asked about the benefits of
good environmental practice; and most agreed
that it can have numerous benefits to your
bottom line:
- 81% believe it
reduced the risk of prosecution
- 69% believe it
creates a good relationship with
customers
- 65% believe it
reduces operating costs
- 53% believe it
increases competitiveness
- 50% believe it
helps to win orders
- 47% believe it
motivates employees
- 46% believe it
increases sales and profitability
Almost half of
businesses surveyed undertook at least one
activity that was harmful to the
environment, yet only 15% believed they did
before being prompted. Happily, 48% have now
started to take action to reduce their harm
on the environment, with 40% now having an
environmental policy; although small
businesses are much less likely to have one
than larger businesses.
One thing that many
businesses are agreed on is that there is a
lack of information and support from the
government to help with environmental
issues, with businesses feeling less happy
the smaller they were; only 36% of micro
businesses (those with less than 10
employees) felt they received adequate
support.
Visit our Accounting section for more
information on financial issues.
Find out how small businesses are leading
the way in Corporate Social Responsibility
here.
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