Government touts top ten green business tips

One of the tips was that firms turn off all office equipment when it is not in use

The government has launched a new campaign to promote the cost-free steps businesses can take to help reduce their environmental impact and save them money.

The recently launched Real Help for Businesses Now campaign features a new list of top ten tips compiled by Defra and the Department for Energy and Climate Change and designed to help small firms take immediate steps to cut their environmental footprint.

Lord Hunt, Minister for Sustainability, urged managers at small businesses to adopt the recommendations, arguing that they provided a simple means for companies to save money.

"By making a few simple changes, businesses can make a big difference to their bottom line," he said. "These are good, practical tips that businesses can follow easily to cut their costs as well as do their bit for the environment – a bonus in both the current economic and environmental climate."

The tips – which will be promoted across radio and online and print publications – include advice on saving money and carbon through turning off PCs and lights, reducing office temperatures, embracing free supplier take back schemes, and fixing leaking taps.

They calculate that a typical small office with 10 computers can save more than £300 a year by ensuring they are turned off when not in use and that heating costs can be cut eight per cent by lowering office temperatures by just one degree.