14/04/2011
More and more office workers are concerned about the environment and it is having an impact on working habits, reports smallbusiness.co.uk.
A study of 800 workers by Toshiba Tec found that 57 per cent of employees would think twice before printing emails and other documents out, in an attempt to save paper and energy.
These are practices that SME owners would do well to encourage, saving energy and money while demonstrating corporate responsibility to employees and customers.
The survey found that the majority of documents that reach the print queue are maps, directions or emails, which the respondent is reluctant to read from their PC screen. However, 25 per cent of those questioned said they would feel happier to print if it were carbon free.
A related study published by ipsos-mori.com, commissioned by Envirowise found that 67 per cent of SMEs thought waste management was important and that environmental issues was deemed one of the top five most important issues their business was facing.
Making the office 'green' can take a little investment and while worth it in the long term, may appear beyond the means of some businesses at the moment.
However, by making use of sales finance schemes, cash can be freed up quickly and easily, allowing a business to embrace greener working methods.
Elizabeth Smythe