'Lack of understanding' prevents businesses from going green

A lack of understanding and implementation difficulties prevents businesses from making efforts to reduce their environmental impact, the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has suggested.

Andrew Cave, a senior spokesperson for the organisation, says that often the facilities aren't in place to allow business owners to be "as green as they want to".

"It can be difficult for a small business to do a simple thing like recycle paper if the local authority is not providing the appropriate facilities," he explains.

Mr Cave says that many of the government's environmental initiatives are not properly communicated to small business owners, making it difficult for them to comply.

He advises companies interested in "going green" to contact their local authority or look for guidance on the internet.

A survey by the FSB last year revealed that 92 per cent of business owners claim to be socially and environmentally responsible.

According to Business Link, going green can boost company accounts, by reducing energy costs and saving money through environmental tax breaks.