Going green is easier than you might think and to help you get started here are 10 top tips:

1. Switch off lights when a room is not in use. This is probably the easiest change you can make: it costs nothing and it can save you up to 15% on your bills by implementing this simple measure.
   
   
2. Don't leave office machinery on standby. Turn off your monitor when it's not in use and unplug printers and scanners at the end of the day. A photocopier left on overnight wastes enough energy to print 1500 A4 copies.
   
   
3. Turn your thermostat down. Reducing your office temperature by 1°C could cut your heating bills by up to 10%.
   
   
4. Use energy-saving light bulbs. Just one can save you £100 over the lifetime of the bulb, they last up to 12 times longer than ordinary light bulbs and give off the same amount of light.
   
   
5. Start car sharing with colleagues. Not only will you reduce carbon emissions, you can share the stress of the daily commute and the increasingly significant cost.
   
   
6. Buy environmentally-friendly company vehicles. Energy efficient cars use less fuel so they produce fewer emissions, as well as saving you money on fuel bills and on road tax.
   
   
7. Recycle and reuse waste materials. There is usually a charge for commercial waste collection, so think about how you can reuse materials such as scrap paper and old envelopes before you throw them away.
   
   
8. If you are a retailer, avoid giving out unnecessary carrier bags, or encourage shoppers to reuse them. A carrier bag can take 500 years to decompose so cutting down on the amount of carrier bags you buy will reduce unnecesarry waste as well as outgoing costs.
   
   
9. Close windows and doors at night to prevent heat loss. A window left open overnight wastes enough energy to drive a small car 35 miles.
   
   
10. Don't overfill the kettle at brew time! Heating water uses a lot of energy and boiling more water than you need can cost an extra £20 a year.

About the author
Business Link Northwest's website offers specific information on gaining bottom line benefits by tackling environmental issues. Whether it's advice on reducing waste, marketing green credentials or understanding your legal obligations, you can find essential information and advice at www.businesslink.gov.uk/northwest/green