On June the 5th, the United Nations General Assembly formed the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). It was also named as World Environment Day, 42 years later, we’re celebrating the biggest day for positive environmental action again!

World Environment Day (WED) is the United Nations’ principal vehicle for encouraging worldwide awareness and action for the environment

We fully support WED, here at Direct365. So much so, that we’ve compiled a list of products, services and tips that you can follow to help do your part in looking after the world, and your small business world.

The very real problem

Climate-change

We recently wrote a post (entitled Is Climate Change Taken Seriously?) that highlights some worrying statistics from gov.uk, saying that up to 26% of people are not very, or not at all, convinced about climate change and its effect on our earth. Up to 34% of people either have no concern about its effect or don’t believe it is happening. This is why days like World Environment Day are so important.

Recycle more!

recycling-1

Recycling is one of the best ways that you and your business can do your bit for the environment. Whilst it may not seem it, the impact of not recycling is one of the biggest contributors to climate change – whether it be through the pollution and damage that sending your waste to landfill causes or the huge amount of resources it takes to re-manufacture the waste that could have been saved. To put it into perspective:

Each ton (2000 pounds) of recycled paper can save:

  • 3.5 cubic yards of landfill

  • 17 thirty foot (pulp) trees

  • 7,000 gallons of water

  • 380 gallons of oil

  • 4100 kwh of energy

Something that many businesses often fall into the trap of is not researching the recycling possibilities that are available to them. Days like World Environment Day are perfect for highlighting the opportunities, possibilities available to businesses. Recycling stretches much further than simple paper and cardboard products now, and whilst most offices have installed a paper recycling bin in their workplace, not many recycle anywhere near the amount they can. For greater details, check out our blog, Going Green: Why Should You Recycle?

From paper and cardboard, to tins, glass, oil, plastic electronics and food waste using anaerobic digestion – you can easily cut down your general landfill waste and subsequent charges and being doing your bit for the environment.

Save water

wsave-water

Many people are unaware of the effect that using excessive and wasteful amounts of water can have on the environment. Although water is in a constant cycle and doesn’t need to be ‘manufactured’ or created in any way, it does need to treated, cleaned and transported in some cases. Your used water that gets flushed down the drain and forgotten about ends up in waste treatment facilities that consume vast amounts of energy, along with pumping stations, just so that we have the continuous clean and safe water supply we rely on every day.

Cutting down on the amount of water that gets wasted down the drain will cut down on the amount of energy that is needed to clean and treat water that has barely been used. There are many ways that you can cut down on your water usage, and encourage your employees, but there are also mechanical aids  that you can fit in your office to promote water saving, and save money while you’re at it:

  • Urinal Flush Flow Savers

  • Toilet Flush Controls

  • Water Saving Taps

  • Urinal Sleeves

View more tips and products for water saving for your business in our blog Saving Energy At Work – How Much Are You Wasting?

Save energy

save-energy

We’re a long way off having reliable and dominant renewable energy sources feeding our consumption in the UK, despite recent renewable actions and scientific warnings. Wasting energy has a similar knock on effect to wasting water. Generating and powering our wasteful energy usage is a costly and resource heavy challenge. Cutting down on the amount of energy that your business uses will not only help to look after our world, but also reduce your costs in the process.

Read our blog post Saving Energy At Work – How Much Are You Wasting? on how you can cut down your energy usage at work, including installing energy efficient hand dryers and installing efficient bulbs.

Trying to help combat the very real problem of climate change may seem like a daunting task, and one that will not be accomplished by just one business turning off the TV at the end of the day, but implementing energy and water saving tactics as well as cutting down your waste can lead to a large saving in your business. The more people who get on board, and do their part, the longer our planet lasts.  Let us know what you’re doing for World Environment Day in the comments below!

 

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