Sustainable business expert Envirowise is challenging UK businesses to take a two month test to see if they can spot a difference in financial savings from environmental resolutions.

HSE statistics show over half of small businesses make New Year’s resolutions but that these are often broken within one month as they are too expensive or take up too many resources¹. Envirowise can save businesses time and money in the planning stage, by reducing time spent in researching measures by offering free practical advice.

“Businesses often fall down on their resolutions through lack of time, money or by being too ambitious,” comments Envirowise programme director Dr Martin Gibson.  “Envirowise can help companies plan – and keep – their resolutions on the environment. By focusing efforts on one area, measuring use, implementing change and then re-measuring, companies will see financial savings, and be confident that they are ticking the box on their corporate social responsibility.”

This advice is echoed by top psychologist Professor Stephen Wood, deputy director of the Institute of Work Psychology3, who says that making a single resolution and planning in advance are keys to success in keeping New Year’s resolutions.

“Whether you’re a business or an individual, the top tips are the same. Pick just one area to focus on to improve your chances of success, and plan your resolution in advance, instead of waiting until New Year’s Eve. The extra time will allow you to reflect on what you really want to achieve, and then plan for it.”

Envirowise is challenging companies to take the two month test from the start of January to the end of February and select an initiative from a range of simple measures to take action on paper, water, energy or waste. Even small, simple measures can have an immediate effect, they say, and it needn’t take a lot of time – just one hour a week can be enough to convert good intentions to reduce environmental impact into financial savings.

For more information on the two month test, including a range of expert advice and practical tips, see http://www.envirowise.gov.uk/(TBC)

Issued on behalf of Envirowise by Mistral

For more information contact: