Waste not, want not: Environmental issues high on the farming agenda
NetRegs, the government website that provides clear guidance on environmental regulations, is urging farmers and horticultural businesses to visit www.netregs.gov.uk to find out about their environmental obligations and how to comply. This follows the results of a survey into small business attitudes towards the environment.
The YouGov survey, commissioned by NetRegs and released today, found that small business owners in the UK are becoming increasingly concerned about the environment. Nearly three quarters (74%) of the small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) polled believe good environmental practice is important to small businesses, and nearly four fifths (79%) know more about environmental issues than they did five years ago.
Respondents in the agricultural industry identified waste disposal as a real area of concern for the industry: more than four fifths (84%) identify it as a problem and fewer than two thirds (62%) feel confident that they know enough about waste disposal.
However, when it comes to environmental regulations that affect their industry specifically, farmers and agricultural businesses are better informed than many of their counterparts in other sectors. The survey found respondents working in agriculture are much more likely to be aware of environmental regulations that affect their business (78%) compared with those working in other industries – nearly two thirds (60%) in construction, fewer than half (45%) in manufacturing and just over a third (36%) of small businesses across all sectors.
The huge majority (86%) of small businesses across all sectors say it is important to comply with environmental regulations by disposing of waste in an environmentally friendly manner. Furthermore, the results show small businesses are also keen for those they work with to comply with environmental regulations. The same number (86%) feel it is important that contractors they employ dispose of waste properly, although nearly two thirds (63%) admit they would not always check to make sure that they actually do. Nevertheless, over half (53%) would rather employ a contractor who complies with environmental legislation than one who doesn't – even if it costs more to do so.
Richard Martin, NetRegs Programme Manager, said: "This research shows that small businesses are taking their environmental responsibilities seriously and what's more they expect the businesses they work with to do the same. We know farmers and horticultural businesses across the country are working hard to make their operations safer and cleaner. But too many are still unaware that NetRegs gives them the information and guidance they need to clean up their business practices and meet their environmental obligations."
John Holbrow, Environmental Chairman of the Federation of Small Businesses, said: "Some environmentally-friendly practices are obligatory. Others, such as saving money on energy and fuel, just make good business sense. The results of this research show small businesses understand they need to take their environmental obligations seriously. We encourage small businesses to use NetRegs for clear guidance on regulation and the waste directory to find local licensed recycling sites."
NetRegs, www.netregs.gov.uk, provides small and medium-sized businesses with clear, plain language guidance on environmental regulations and how to comply. With an easy-to-use navigation menu and search mechanism, users can find guidance whatever their business. To keep up-to-date, businesses can register on NetRegs to receive regular email updates about changes to environmental legislation. These e-alerts can be tailored to provide information relating specifically to business type.
A Waste Directory on the website provides details of local waste management sites, so users can be sure they are working with licensed operators. It also enables users to select recycling in preference to disposal facilities.
