When going green means saving your business money (From Warrington Guardian)

When going green means saving your business money

BUSINESSES of any size in mid Cheshire can get a free eco-audit that could both improve turnover and safeguard the planet for future generations.

Cheshire County Council celebrated carrying out the 600th eco-audit in the county by awarding a certificate of good practice to ASM Technologies on Winsford Industrial Estate.

Council environmental officer Hannah Parish said audits could be carried out anywhere from factories or offices to village halls and involved looking at all aspects of the operation.

She said: "We go in and look at the environmental impacts including energy consumption, water use, purchasing practices and how they have the potential to affect the environment.

"Often there are cost savings to be made and it can help raise the efficiency of businesses too. And the eco-audits can also help small businesses learn about how to comply with any legislation they might not be aware of."

Groundwork Vale Royal and Macclesfield, the environmental regeneration charity, is a partner in the scheme and has helped identify businesses keen to keep the borough green.

The audits have been carried out for six years now and organisers want more businesses to benefit from the free scheme.

Mid Cheshire businesses can contact Hannah on 01244 603125, or email her at ecoaudit@cheshire.gov.uk.

Alternatively, companies that are interested in getting an eco-audit done can log on to www.cheshire.gov.uk/ecoaudit to sign up for a free environmental review.

rfraser@guardiangrp.co.uk