Businesses told to cut bills by sharing them

UK bosses are being advised to provide staff with data on the soaring utility and waste bills they are facing, in an attempt to promote more environmentally responsible behaviour among the workforce.

The calls from government-backed advisory body Envirowise urge businesses to take a "transparent" approach to their bills, arguing that the strategy will help employees to understand the bottom-line effects of wasteful behaviour.

According to Envirowise research, a third of UK workers take no action to reduce the amount of resources they consume at work, despite being largely committed to saving energy and water at home. Experts believe it is the fact that staff do not feel responsible for energy and water bills when at work, that is behind this difference in approach.

"This research sends out a clear signal to UK businesses that good domestic environmental practices do not necessarily translate to the workplace," said Envirowise marketing director, Mary Leonard. "By ensuring gas, electricity, water and recycling bills are not cloaked in mystery, staff will have a greater understanding of how their actions can help reduce costs."

Alongside advocating disclosure of utility bills to staff, Envirowise also recommends appointing energy saving teams, urging employees to turn off computers and lights when not in use, and installing low cost water saving measures, such as low flow taps as a means of cutting down facilities costs and environmental effects.