With rubbish and recycling bins set to burst at the seams this Christmas due to an estimated three million tonnes of waste*, sustainable business experts Envirowise are urging businesses to trim 'wastelines' by cutting back on unnecessary packaging and explore eco-design options.
Today's current economic climate sees increasing pressure and a requirement to reduce operational costs. Ever increasing consumer demands for more sustainable business practices and targets set by the Government to reduce, recover and recycle waste are all factors that should fuel industries to explore and implement greener packaging options.
The key to reducing the packaging mountain, say Envirowise, is to build the expertise of those involved in packaging and product design, so that they are able to improve the sustainability of their designs, optimise materials and costs and make the right decisions for their business.
Robbie Weir, Envirowise programme manager for Scotland, says:
"Eco Design is a beneficial and respectful way of thinking about design which takes into account the environmental impact of a product and its packaging across its entire existence at every stage of its life cycle, from raw materials used, manufacture to retail and the its end life.
"Approaching packaging design with this mindset can reduce impact on the environment and also reduce production costs. By looking at how to reduce unnecessary packaging in time for Christmas and the New Year, firms stand to benefit in financial terms which can contribute to lessening the impact of the current economic climate."
Envirowise provides a host of advice and fact sheets on eco-design and packaging, available at www.envirowise.gov.uk/scotland or by calling the Envirowise Advice Line 0800 585 794.
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* WRAP, Dec 2007
For more information, please contact:
Laura McKenzie or Jennifer Niccolls on 0131 226 2363. Alternatively please email laura.mckenzie@trimediauk.com or jennifer.niccolls@trimediauk.com
About Envirowise
Envirowise, funded by the Scottish Government, is dedicated to putting the sustainable use of resources at the heart of Scottish business practice.
Since 1994 Envirowise has helped UK businesses save over £1bn by enabling them to significantly reduce their environmental footprints.
Envirowise offers businesses of all sizes and sectors a wide range of free, independent and practical advice designed to genuinely improve their processes, profitability and competitiveness. Services include:
- The Envirowise Advice Line on 0800 585794
- An encyclopaedic website (www.envirowise.gov.uk/scotland ) of valuable and relevant information
- On-site visits conducted by a nationwide team of expert advisors
- Over 200 events each year, from Product Design Workshops to major exhibitions
- A nationwide network of Resource Efficiency Clubs offering peer-to-peer support