Green office supplies 'could help beat the crunch'

UK businesses can help prepare for the challenging year ahead by improving their environmental performance, an expert has claimed.

Elaine Sharp, programme marketing manager for independent advice firm Envirowise, claimed that companies should "sit up and take note" of the potential savings that can be achieved by becoming more efficient.

By taking steps such as investing in green office supplies and channelling resources to be used more effectively, businesses could save themselves time and money during the downturn.

Ms Sharp said: "Using resources more efficiently can help companies free up valuable cash - a priority in what looks to be a challenging year ahead."

According to the Energy Saving Trust, one of the most effective ways for businesses to reduce energy consumption and save on costs is to hunt for more efficient printers when buying office supplies.

The organisation claims that firms which opt for an energy saving-recommended inkjet device could reduce the annual amount of electricity needed to run their printer by as much as a third.