Seeking to win customers' hearts and minds by making claims about the environmental performance of products and services could offer East Midlands businesses more opportunities than they might initially think.
Envirowise, the government-funded resource efficiency programme, is recommending that all companies take steps to review the full life-cycle impact of a product or service – before making environmental claims on packaging or marketing materials.
This may include information relating to the type of raw materials used, the way a product is designed, the manufacturing process, transport implications or options for re-use or recycling at end-of-life.
Catherine Wale, Envirowise Regional Manager for the East Midlands, said: "High profile campaigns on topics such as packaging and food miles have seen consumers thinking with their feet when it comes to shopping with a conscience.
"Regional businesses which identify ways to develop cleaner, leaner designs for products and packaging - and streamline key services - will not only divert waste from landfill, but could make valuable cost savings and innovations too. In fact, design-led businesses have found that for every £100 they spend on design, their turnover increases by £225."1
To build a solid foundation for promoting your environmental activities, Envirowise recommends:
- Going back to the drawing board – have you optimised the use of raw materials? At least 80 per cent of the quantities and costs of materials and utilities required to manufacture products become 'locked in' at this stage2
- Considering repair and maintenance prior to disposal – can you reduce the need for replacement?
- Assessing packaging use to minimise waste during manufacture & use
- Considering returnable or reusable packaging for use at the retail stage which can significantly reduce material cost
A free Envirowise guide - GG296: Cleaner Product Design: A Practical Approach - explains how companies can adopt cleaner design and can be downloaded at the Envirowise website.
More information on Defra's Green Claims Code – which sets out the standard of information that the public can expect to be given about the environmental impacts of consumer products – is available at the Defra website
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Issued on behalf of Envirowise by Trimedia Harrison Cowley. Media Contacts: Louise Harris, Sally Wain-Heapy or Rod Dennis on 0117 929 2311.
Notes to Editors
About Envirowise
Envirowise delivers a valuable programme of confidential advice to UK businesses. This advice enables businesses to improve profitability and reduce environmental impact.
Independent, practical and proven guidance is available through the Envirowise Advice Line, information resources and on site visits* delivered by a national team of expert advisors. Each solution is driven by the specific needs of individual firms, to genuinely improve their business practices, profitability and competitiveness. Since 1994, Envirowise has helped UK industry save £1 billion.
The Envirowise programme is available to any UK business, completely free of charge. For more information visit the Envirowise website or call 0800 585 794.
* Please note that different services are available in England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales – please contact our Advice Line on 0800 585 794 for more information on whether you are eligible for a site visit.