Business

New online eco tool to help green up NZ SMEs

The government has launched the envirostep eco-verification programme. This is a free entry-level environmental management tool for SMEs in NZ. It provides a starting block for SMEs to gain an awareness of their environmental issues and the practical steps they need to take to manage them.

The site tells us environstep consists of:

• Self-assessment questionnaire, covering different aspects of your environmental performance.
• An environmental report, which gives users a performance score, profile, performance trend and recommendations for improvement.
• An action plan, which you can use to turn your recommendations into prioritised actions and track your progress.
• A further information section, which contains a User Guide and links to other tools and service providers.
• A feedback page, allowing users to register any problems using the site, or to propose additional content and links

Resources and service providers are listed on the site to support you with your action plan.

Look – if you’re a business owner but don’t have time to register and take the questionnaire, why don’t you nominate someone in your team to wear the company `green hat’ and facilitate this important project. Once you know the environmental areas your business needs to focus on, you can break it down into a manageable project plan and start the transition.

Here’s your challenge:

1st step – Click here to register at environstep.
2nd step – Take the questionnaire
3rd step – Read the resulting action plan
4th step – Make a company commitment to complete at least one action in August. This will get the ball rolling!
5th step – Join Easy Green Living’s community and share your story!

Here’s to a greener NZ business community!