More advice: 

Save energy, sustainable travel, support local, protect nature, save water, your community, reduce waste 

Easy ways to make your business more sustainable

Save Energy

[  ]  Turn off all lights and appliances such as computers, monitors, printers, and televisions when not in use and overnight.

[  ]  Slightly reduce the temperature on your thermostats (even a one degree change save energy and reduces annual costs without really affecting comfort. Adjust thermostatic timers to coincide with opening hours.

[  ]  Draught-proof windows and doors to reduce heat loss.

[  ]  Close curtains and blinds to reduce overnight heat loss. Use the thickest curtains you can afford to minimise heat loss during the evening/night.

[  ]  Only boil the amount of water you need each time you use your kettle. Switch to an eco-kettle next time you buy a new one.

[  ] Consider switching to a renewable energy supplier. We recommend Octopus Energy.

[  ]  Clean your fridge coils and seals regularly to reduce your energy bill and extend the life of your fridge. Dust or dirt on the coils means the fridge uses more energy and will eventually break down.

[  ]  Make more use of the eco settings on your washing machine. Try to wash at 30 degrees whenever possible.

[  ]  Consider how you can reduce washing frequency and temperatures for washing bed and bath linens.

Sustainable Travel

[  ]  Provide information to visitors on how they can reach your business or travel around the local area using public transport. You might like to suggest visitors look for eco-friendly routes with this Google map tool.

[  ]  Signpost to services such as bike hire, and local sightseeing companies to cut down on car miles and support local businesses.

[  ]  Which local walks and cycle routes can you recommend?

Purchasing

[  ]  Consider which products and services you could switch, either to support more local businesses or to use products and services which are more sustainable or ethical

Protect Nature

[  ]  Try to eliminate single-use plastic and plastic bags.

[  ]  Let part of your garden grow wild. Allow an area of grass to grow long to provide a haven for insects. Grow a wildflower patch to attract bees.

[  ]  Collect rainwater using a water butt to water your garden instead of turning on a tap or hosepipe from the mains supply.

[  ]  Use natural pest control methods to avoid using pesticides as these are harmful to the garden’s natural inhabitants. Instead use organic growing methods.

Save Water

[  ]  Try to avoid excessive flushing when cleaning toilets.

[  ]  Signpost to the growing number of free water refill points, and add your own if you are able to offer this. 

[  ]  Read your water meter regularly to establish normal patterns of use so that problems such as leaks, drips and constant flushing can be quickly identified.

[  ]  Only run dishwashers when they are full to save water and electricity. A full dishwasher can be four times more water efficient than washing dishes by hand.

Your Local Community

[  ]  Recommend local shops, pubs, restaurants and local attractions before you suggest others that are further away.

[  ]  What local food and drink can you offer in your business? Try to name local producers and provide information to visitors. Can you display work by local artists and makers?

[  ]  Could you participate in a local litter-picking scheme, or perhaps start your own?

Reduce waste

[  ]  Provide recycling bins in all spaces used by visitors.

[  ]  Try to shop at zero waste shops, that let you refill your own containers instead of buying items in single-use packaging. Buy staple goods such as rice in bulk to reduce packaging and save money.

[  ]  Consider the best ways to dispose of food waste, such as composting or giving to local schemes.

[  ]  Make soup or freeze leftovers.