Interview with Kevin Danaher, the founder of Green Festivals in America

So what can you do?

Reduce the water you use:

Log onto the Envirowise Water Tools at www.envirowise.gov.uk/watertools to benchmark your water use and download a water monitoring tool.
Check taps for drips and fix them
A standard 9-litre toilet cistern could save over £500/year by fitting a simple water saving device. Contact your local water company to find out about free water saving devices. Or simply put a litre bottle of water in your cistern to reduce flushing water by up to 20%.

Energy Efficiency:

Bills. Collate your electricity and gas bills and make a record of your energy consumption and expenditure. Check that your tariffs are correct and take into account busy or not so busy periods, and the seasons. For more information on reducing and tracking your energy use, call the Envirowise Advice Line on 0800 585794.
Low energy lights. Areyou using low energy light bulbs? Visit your local hardware shop to buy some low energy light bulbs and replace old type bulbs. Low energy light bulbs cost more to purchase than normal bulbs, but have come down in price. As they can last up to 12 years and save you around £4 per bulb per year in energy costs, the cash you save soon adds up!
Heating. Turn your heating down by just 1 or 2 degrees. You will be unlikely to notice a difference, but your bottom line will!
Switch off. Make a point of turning off appliances when not in use or when your premises are closed to customers, putting on standby still costs you cash! You can get free sheets of ‘Switch It Off’ stickers, which you can place in appropriate areas, from the Carbon Trust 0800 085 2005.
Carbon footprint.  Use the online carbon footprint tool: www.carbontrust.co.uk/energy/startsaving/sectorselector/

Waste Minimization:

Record waste. Waste minimization is about reducing waste at source; simply not creating it in the first place. It’s about reducing the production, use or disposal of anything that your business can’t re-use or sell. Think about how much waste you produce, including waste sent for recycling. Make a point of recording the volume and expenditure on waste. Analyze the usage and results. Consider busy or not so busy periods. Research shows that waste typically costs 10 times more than a business thinks!

Measure success. A waste account is a useful tool for monitoring how much waste costs you – you will probably be surprised! A waste account will help you check and stay in control of the waste from your business. Measuring is key to managing, it tells you what you are dealing with. For more information, visit: http://www.envirowise.gov.uk/uk/Our-Services/Publications/GG707-Measuring-to-manage-a-how-to-guide.html
Packaging. Ask your suppliers to cut down on the amount of packaging they provide. You often end up disposing of it later, probably at your own expense!
Re-use. Re-use envelopes by getting large labels produced. Pads of 50 gummed labels could be produced and printed on paper made from 100% post-consumer waste. They can also include your business name and contact details at the bottom.

Recycle:

Reduce. Reduce the amount of raw materials and resources you use in the first place.
Re-use. Re-use scrap paper, which has only been printed on one side. Put it back in the printer the other way up. Or… cut it up, staple it together and use the reverse side to take telephone messages. Then finally… recycle it! How to recycle guides visit: http://www.wrap.org.uk/businesses/start_recycling_at_work/how_to_recycle_at.html

Separation. If you can’t eliminate the waste you produce, then consider recycling. Your ability to do this successfully will largely depend on the facilities and services provided locally. Where possible, try to separate glass, paper, plastics and tins.