To minimise environmental impact of a particular business we must follow the principles discussed in previous units, i.e., undertake measures aimed at reducing the consumption of water and energy, air pollution and waste segregation.

Additionally, everyday business processes should be enriched with eco-office principles:

• Buying recycled products (e.g. printing paper) or other products of minimum environmental impact (e.g. energy-saving products, biodegradable products);
• Printing on both sides or re-use paper if the first print was one-sided only;
• Staff, partners and clients communication on the phone and e-mail;
• Printing essential documents only;
• Electronic accounting;
• Special labels that remind the staff to use STAND BY buttons in unused electronic devices, to save water, paper when printing, to turn off the light in empty rooms.

We must bear in mind that environmental impact includes impact on the landscape. Already at the design stage we need to ensure that the planned building fits the landscape and matches local architecture style. It is a step towards preserving local culture.

Special environmental management systems developed by experts help to minimise negative environmental impact of a business. Such systems are discussed in Unit 9.