That’s right - by getting some FREE environmental advice from Envirowise you could save a packet.

Business could reduce their operational costs by as much as £18,000 per year and save eight operational days worth of time.

Nick Ward, Envirowise Regional Manager for the North West, says: “With environmental issues now dominating the business agenda, it is good to see that companies are using the free advice and information available to take action on resource efficiency. The potential for valuable cost and time savings should be an incentive for others to do the same.”

Businesses in the region can access help via the confidential Envirowise Helpline (0800 585 794) and website (www.envirowise.gov.uk) as well as download a wide range of free sector-specific publications, factsheets and best practice guides.

Envirowise believe that some of the most effective actions businesses can take are often the simplest. For example, one construction company has begun using prefabricated transport packaging which can be returned after delivery and re-used numerous times before recycling or disposal.

Housekeeping measures such as installing auto shut-off taps and showers, or operating waste water collection for reuse - which can both boost water efficiency - also make a big difference.

A week is a long time in business - so companies could do worse than draw on the free advice available to maximise time and free themselves up to focus on all the other elements of running a profitable business.

For more information on business resource efficiency visit www.envirowise.gov.uk or call the Envirowise Helpline on 0800 585 794.