How to make your workplace more water-efficient
Businesses have plenty of bills to think about, from electricity to IT services, but one area that’s often overlooked is water. By making your office more water-efficient, you can not only save your company money but also help to do your part for the environment. This is particularly important nowadays, with climate change becoming a more serious issue every year. So if you’re interested in reducing the environmental impact of your business and also saving some money, read on for some top tips on how to do so.
Consider switching suppliers
Since 2017 businesses have been able to choose who supplies their water. With Business water prices and contracts potentially varying quite considerably, the first thing to do is check that you’re getting the best possible deal for your business needs. You can either do this yourself by request-ing quotes from different companies, or arrange for a broker to do the hard work for you. They can also negotiate on your behalf to secure preferential rates. In addition to lower prices, you could also benefit from more tailored services.
Reduce water usage and wasted water
The next thing to do is work out where you can boost your water efficiency. For example, regularly checking for water leaks can help ensure that you are not losing huge amounts of water without even realising it. Having pipes, boilers and other equipment serviced regularly is also key. If you have some money to invest in the project, consider switching to more water-efficient equipment and appliances such as dishwashers.
One easy change to make is using automatic taps in company bathrooms to ensure that they are never left on by mistake. Another great idea is to install dual-flush toilets or cistern displacement devices to reduce the amount of water used in flushing. You could also look into seeing whether it’s possible to recycle any of the waste water that your business generates.
Get your staff involved
Once you’ve done what you can to make your company as water-efficient as possible, it’s time to get your staff on board. A lot of water usage is done on an individual level, so if you can promote good water-conscious habits amongst your employees then little changes can go a long way.
The kitchen is a key example of this. Put up posters encouraging people to only fill up the kettle with the amount of water they need, and to only put on the dishwasher when it’s full. You could also have signage reminding people not to leave taps running, and to check they’ve turned them off when they’re done (unless you’ve already switched to automatic taps!). Installing a water cooler could also help discourage people from running the tap for a long time while waiting for the water to get cold.
Companies have an ethical responsibility to make sure that they are not wasting water, and by fol-lowing these simple tips you can help to do your part. Plus it can also benefit you financially, so it’s a real win-win situation!