HR Software News

SMEs 'should consider sustainable practices'

Posted by Editorial Team

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have been advised to assess their supplies to see where they can make changes that will help boost sustainability.

Julia GoodFellow-Smith, co-founder of Quest for Future Solutions, explained how a "resource efficiency review" is one of the best ways to take stock.

Looking at raw materials and making sure they are used to the "best advantage" can help to ensure SMEs are producing very little waste.

"SMEs should ensure that any waste they do produce is recycled and reused in their processes. Reducing the amount of waste works in non-manufacturing companies as well," Ms GoodFellow-Smith remarked.

The expert claimed there is a waste hierarchy system that needs to be assessed and adapted to help businesses become more eco-friendly.

Reduce, reuse and recycle are at the bottom of the hierarchy, while recover and landfill are at the bottom end of the scale.

Firms were encouraged to "move things up" the waste hierarchy so they reach a level where they are producing a bare minimum if any waste at all.

Ms GoodFellow-Smith recommended companies speak to their suppliers about packaging and how this can be reduced, so fewer items need to be thrown away.

It was suggested that reducing packaging will not only make a firm more environmentally friendly, but it will also help to reduce costs.

Another tip was to look at where waste can be recovered so it gives something back in the form of fuel.

Sending items to an energy recovery plant means they can be used to generate heat and energy that is used to power homes and businesses, while cutting down landfill.

"Look at all of the different waste streams coming out of the business. Look at each one and see how you can move it up the waste hierarchy because that will save you money as well as make you more sustainable," Ms GoodFellow-Smith remarked.

Firms were advised to think of waste as a resource and use it to help boost their business.

Director of Speakto.co.uk Clare Richmond recently commented that SMEs have the opportunity to get ahead of their larger rivals by focusing on small operations that have a local feel.

Expressing a sustainable attitude and dedication to green policies could help to give a business the edge over others, in a time when economic competition is fierce.

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