Recession leaves legacy of resource efficiency As east midlands businesses undergo major ‘thrift shift’ - The recession could leave a legacy of improved resource efficiency in the East Midlands as businesses adopt an increasingly ‘thrifty’ mindset – that’s according to a new report published today by sustainability experts Envirowise.
Recession leaves legacy of resource efficiency As east midlands businesses undergo major ‘thrift shift’
By Ali Shah
Jan 11, 2010 - 10:56:52 AM
The
Envirowise
Business Thrift Shift Report, which encompasses responses from more than
500 UK companies, reveals that more than two thirds (71%) of respondents in the
East Midlands have developed a more detailed knowledge of their spending and
resource use as a result of the recession. This includes everything from
investment in raw materials, transport and energy, to staffing, equipment and
professional services.
Reduction of spend on raw materials and
consumables was a key area of cut back for 44% of the region’s companies, with
a large number also minimising their water, energy and transport use. And this
‘thrift shift’ is set to continue, with 97% of respondents expecting to be more
careful about how they use their resources once recovery comes.
Richard Thompson, Envirowise Regional Manager
for the East Midlands, said: “Businesses in the
East
Midlands have been facing some serious challenges as a result of
the recession and this is perhaps reflected in the number of survey respondents
reducing staff costs during this period (64%). However, it is also clear that
for many companies this period of economic difficulty has stimulated a more resource conscious mindset,
galvanising environmental commitments that had perhaps been lower down the
business agenda.
“We know from experience that resource
efficiency goes hand-in-hand with profitability, so it is encouraging to see better
management of raw materials, energy and water forming an important component of
the business response to recession in the region.
“Such an approach does not only lead to
financial savings; it can also equip businesses to face increasing levels of
environmental legislation and provides an important competitive advantage as
customers become more environmentally conscious. These companies are
not only more likely to survive the
recession in the short-term, but are also better placed to thrive when the
economy begins to recover.”
Nationally, almost three-quarters of
the 500 businesses surveyed (73%) had developed a more detailed knowledge of
their spending and resource use as a result of the recession. The
Envirowise Business Thrift Shift Report
is available at envirowise.gov.uk/thriftshift
Businesses can access free guidance and
practical advice on resource efficiency by visiting envirowise.gov.uk or
calling the Envirowise advice line on
0800
585794.
ENDS
Issued
on behalf of Envirowise by Trimedia. For further media information please
contact Rod Dennis or Davinia Livock on 0117 929 2311 or email rod.dennis@trimediauk.com
/ davinia.livock@trimediauk.com.
Notes
to editors
About
Envirowise:
Envirowise is a
Government-funded programme dedicated to putting the sustainable use of
resources at the heart of
UK
business practice. Since 1994 Envirowise has helped
UK businesses save over £1bn by
enabling them to significantly reduce their environmental footprints. Envirowise
offers businesses of all sizes and sectors a wide range of free, independent
and practical advice designed to genuinely improve their processes,
profitability and competitiveness. Services include:
·
The
Envirowise Advice Line on 0800 585 794
·
An
encyclopaedic website (envirowise.gov.uk) of valuable and relevant
information
·
Over
200 events each year, from Product Design Workshops to major exhibitions
About
the Envirowise Business Thrift Shift Report:
This report
presents the findings of Envirowise research aimed at understanding the extent
to which business attitudes to resource efficiency have altered as a result of
the economic climate, as well as identifying areas where lasting – and more
welcome – changes have been made.
Led by
Continental Research, the business omnibus survey was conducted during
September 2009. Participants included Managing Directors and Finance Directors
from companies across England, Scotland and Wales, with more than 300 small
businesses (with a turnover of £50k to £1 million) and 200 medium to large
businesses (with a turnover of more than £1 million) being surveyed. The
research also encompassed a wide variety of sectors and industries, including
wholesale, hotel and catering, business services, retail, manufacturing,
construction, transport, agriculture and mining.
In addition, Envirowise
has spoken to a wide range of businesses and industry commentators to seek
individual opinions on the
Envirowise Business Thrift Shift – many of
which have been included in the report, which is available to download at www.envirowise.gov.uk/thriftshift
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