COS-Eco-Range-2023-ECatalogue

43 Faster delivery with fewer emissions due to warehouse proximity. The ability to source from local manufacturers and customise orders. Greater supply chain visibility. Support for the local economy. Partner with a Local Green Supplier You may have environmental or ethical initiatives in place, but do your suppliers? Labour exploitation, deforestation, air pollution, and water shortages can all undermine a company’s credentials, which is why operating with a local and environmentally-friendly supplier brings big benefits, including: Involve staff in checking meters and monitoring their own water use. Install rainwater tanks and water-saving devices. Install low-flow faucets and water efficient toilets. Use products with a water efficiency label. Find out more from the Water Efficiency and Labelling Standards Scheme (WELS). As a business, you have a responsibility to understand and implement adequate hazardous waste management processes to keep employees and the community safe. Installing ENERGY STAR appliances and switching to LED light bulbs. Installing solar panels on office sites. Adopting energy efficient heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. Phasing out energy inefficient equipment. Switching energy providers — unbiased comparisons can be made on the Australian Government website Energy Made Easy . Waste Reduction Waste reduction allows organisations to help both the environment and their bottom line through a range of small and larger strategies. To manage your waste better, your best bet is to always follow the 3 Rs — reduce , reuse , and recycle . Reduce waste by improving your production processes. Maintain strict environmental standards in production and consumption of raw material. Discover all recycling options and transform your waste into something that can be used by others. Introduce a waste reduction program to encourage cooperation and engagement with staff. Try Bin Trim , it’s a great audit tool that measures your waste and helps you identify the materials you could recycle or reuse. There are loads of EMS resources out there, and you can even get accredited under ISO 14001, demonstrating your business’s commitment to ongoing improvements. Reduce Energy Use or Switch to Alternate Energy As you can see, it can take a concerted, company-wide effort to be more environmentally-friendly; however, as a way to future-proof your business, operate more efficiently and increase customer satisfaction and growth, the investment is definitely worthwhile. Reduce Your Water Usage There are several ways to limit the amount of water your business uses, including switching to a different water supplier and implementing a water management strategy. You can also: This point is appealing for businesses of all sizes as you can start small and get creative, with steps such as: