Making your business more green - checklist

Group standing around a large green recycling flag

Every business has an environmental impact. This checklist helps you assess the impact you have and the changes you can make to minimise that damage.

  • Assess the environmental impact of the materials and energy you use, the waste and emissions you produce, your transport operations and the products you supply.
  • Consider the potential risks of an accident; check whether you are insured against environmental risks.
  • Investigate the regulations which apply to your business, and any forthcoming changes. If required, seek help from a specialist environmental solicitor.
  • Find out what customers and employees expect, and how better environmental performance could improve your marketing and recruitment.
  • Decide whether you should implement a formal standard such as ISO 14001.
  • Ask key suppliers of materials, utilities and equipment how they can contribute to your environmental efforts.
  • Find out what help and advice - often free - is offered by organisations such as the Environment Agency, WRAP, your local authority and your trade association.
  • Design products to minimise waste, packaging and the use of environmentally unfriendly materials and production processes.
  • Store and dispose of waste safely; ensure your waste collector is registered to handle your form of waste, and does so properly.
  • Encourage employees to save energy; consider investing in energy-efficient equipment.
  • Ensure that any discharges and emissions, and other effects such as noise or dust from your business, are minimised or eliminated if possible.
  • Prepare an action plan to deal with any shortcomings.
  • Review the environmental impact before committing to new projects.
  • Communicate your environmental commitment to customers and others through your product labelling, PR and other promotional efforts.

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