By Biba Hartigan

Small businesses cannot afford to ignore environmental responsibility. A recent Defra survey found that 44% of us are prepared to pay more for environmentally friendly products while according to NetRegs, a government regulations guidance organisation, 53% of SMEs would choose a greener contractor, even if it cost more to do so. In an increasingly environmentally conscious marketplace customers and clients want to know what they are buying into. However well established your products or services, an environmental policy is necessary to reinforce your green credentials.

International standard environmental management accreditation is available in the ISO 14000 series. But chasing ISO accreditation is just too onerous for most small businesses. However, you don't have to be a Goliath to establish an environmental policy. Even if you are running your business from your kitchen table you can implement a policy which could eventually form the cornerstone of an ISO environmental management system if you decide to go this route later on.

An environmental policy is a simple document outlining your commitment to manage your business's environmental impact. It reassures customers and clients of your social responsibility, can assist public relations and has the potential to increase market share. It identifies what you are doing to minimise environmental impact and commits you to continue to improve and monitor environmental performance.

Each industry has its own key areas of environmental impact. It is up to you to consider what action can be taken to minimise the harm. Look at the resources used, can they be reduced, sourced more locally, are there more sustainable alternatives? Can you use less harmful chemicals, raw or processed materials? Can you use less energy for processing or transport. Is it possible to reduce waste at all stages of the process?

There is no standard format for an Environmental Policy. A good starting point is to check out what other similar organisations or companies have done. For some industries a formal style is appropriate, others can be more relaxed. Keep it accurate, practical, achievable, readable and short. One side of A4 is plenty.

It should cover these areas where relevant: