Companies Urged To ‘think Outside The Box’

March 30, 2009 - PRLog -- With major supermarket retailers coming under scrutiny from a recent Local Government Association survey[1] about their packaging, a new tool launched by sustainable business experts, Envirowise, looks set to help companies reduce the environmental impact and costs of packaging.

The Envirowise packaging indicator tool for eco-design, piloted by Mars Chocolate, enables businesses to compare the environmental profile of their own packaging designs to identify where improvements can be made.

A recent survey[2] conducted on behalf of the Industry Council for Packaging and the Environment (INCPEN) revealed that 82 per cent of people were concerned by the impact of packaging, and Envirowise believes there has never been a better time for businesses to switch to greener packaging to improve their environmental credentials and cut costs.

Matt Boulter of the European Packaging Sustainability team at Mars Chocolate says: "Mars is fundamentally committed to sustainability and we needed an effective tool with the right level of detail to use when considering a new packaging design or re-design. This tool, designed by Envirowise, has proved extremely useful in our product development process."

Envirowise eco-design specialist, Jenni Rosser, comments: “Packaging has been challenged on environmental grounds for a number of years and the industry has responded, not only by putting significant resources into recycling schemes, but also by continuing to reduce the use of resources in packaging.

“However, there is always room for improvement and, particularly in today’s economic climate, businesses stand to benefit not only in environmental terms but also financially by looking at how they can reduce unnecessary packaging.”

To help companies get the most out of the new tool, Envirowise has filmed a special instructional podcast. Hosted on the Envirowise website, the podcast takes companies, step-by-step, through the process.

The new packaging tool can be accessed at wwww.envirowise.gov.uk/pack-in

For free expert advice on resource efficiency from Envirowise, businesses can visit www.envirowise.gov.uk  oor call the Advice Line on 0800 585794.

ENDS

For media enquiries and to request images or interviews please contact:

Graeme Jackson or Matt Pynn at Bray Leino PR
Telephone: 0117 973 1173          

Email: gjackson@brayleino.co.uk or mpynn@brayleino.co.uk



Notes to Editors

About Envirowise
Envirowise is a Government-funded programme dedicated to putting the sustainable use of resources at the heart of UK business practice.

Since 1994 Envirowise has helped UK businesses save over £1bn by enabling them to significantly reduce their environmental footprints.

Envirowise offers businesses of all sizes and sectors a wide range of free, independent and practical advice designed to genuinely improve their processes, profitability and competitiveness. Services include:

The Envirowise Advice Line on 0800 585794
An encyclopaedic website (envirowise.gov.uk) of valuable and relevant information
Over 200 events each year, from Product Design Workshops to major exhibitions

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[1] Local Government Association Survey, February 2009

[2] Survey carried out by Ipsos MORI on behalf of INCPEN, November 2008

RESOURCES:

http://www.envirowise.gov.uk/uk/Topics-and-Issues/EMS.html      
http://www.envirowise.gov.uk/uk/Sectors/Commerce.html      
http://www.envirowise.gov.uk/uk/Topics-and-Issues/EMS/Env...

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Envirowise offers free government-supported environmental consultation, advice, and documentation for UK businesses. The organisation also offers UK businesses free, independent, confidential advice and support on practical ways to increase profits, minimize waste and reduce environmental impact.