The region’s independent retailers could be missing valuable opportunities to boost their bottom line by not giving adequate priority to resource efficiency measures according to sustainable business experts, Envirowise.

They found that a third of UK retailers surveyed had not yet begun to tackle environmental issues in the workplace. Plus only 19% recognised the potential for cost savings in this area - a surprising result when the average saving per business can be as much as £250 per employee per year.

Nick Ward, Envirowise Regional Manager for the North West comments: “We know that smaller retailers have little spare time - with more than a quarter of businesses in the North West relying on the owners themselves to take responsibility for environmental issues. However, this is an area where just a little time and investment can pay big dividends in terms of improved efficiency and lower overheads.

“Implementing simple measures to improve resource efficiency - such as using raw materials, water and energy more effectively - can help retailers make valuable savings in a matter of months.”

To get started, Envirowise recommends that independent retailers consider the following:

• Replace inefficient lighting with energy-efficient bulbs, which cut electricity consumption by more than 50%, can be cheaper to buy and last ten times longer than conventional products.
• Reduce and recycle waste materials and save money by paying less for your rubbish collections. Local authorities or waste contractors can offer advice about facilities in your area and can let you know about any available joint recycling schemes.
• Check water meters regularly to help identify whether there are leaks. If the meter is running when the shop is closed, there is probably a leak.
• Consider whether your packaging is the correct size and shape for the product or whether volume being wasted. Could the packaging be reused? Exploit opportunities to re-use items normally thrown away after their initial purpose, such as empty boxes.
• Check timers and temperature controls for heating to reduce energy use during unnecessary periods, such as overnight. With heating, one degree less will save up to 8% on an individual store’s energy bill.

“Three quarters of North West businesses still haven’t taken advantage of the free environmental support available to them from a range of organisations. This is a missed opportunity,” adds Nick Ward.

For advice on improving resource efficiency and boosting profits visit the website at www.envirowise.gov.uk/easymoney or call Envirowise free of charge on 0800 585 794.

Everyone would agree that maintaining a safe and healthy working environment is important. Not only is it a legal requirement under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 but it is also commercially and morally the right thing to do. Work related injuries and illness cost money and increasingly contract tender conditions require that health and safety requirements are met.

As part of our determination to provide valuable services that members need, we at the Liverpool Chamber have arranged for members to have access to ChamberH&S from October 2007.

ChamberH&S has been developed by Qdos Consulting to provide members with a comprehensive health and safety solution delivered via a dedicated health and safety advice line and web site.

Specifically ChamberH&S offers:

• A Compliant Health and Safety Policy.
• Template organisational responsibilities and structures.
• Downloadable health and safety arrangements.
• Regular health and safety updates.
• Access to over 150 downloadable policies, forms, documents, templates and fact sheets.
• Unlimited access to a 24/7 health and safety advice line.
• Locally delivered on site health and safety training and consultancy.

It mirrors the readily available ChamberHR offering and is complementary to the existing Chamber Legal Expense scheme, therefore providing additional legal compliance “peace of mind” to subscribing members in the health and safety arena.

Members will be able to access the service utilising the existing ChamberHR username and password via the ChamberHR Website www.chamberhr.co.uk or direct www.chamberhs.co.uk.

Over the next few weeks, prior to the launch, we will be publishing a series of articles regarding Health & Safety including:

• Getting Started with H&S
• Slips, Trips & Falls
• Working At Heights
• Organisational Arrangements.

We will also publish full details of the H&S Service nearer to the launch.

If you have not received your ChamberHR website log in details or you are a new members and would like to register to use the service please contact the membership team by email at membership@liverpoolchamber.org.uk or by telephone on 0151 227 1234.