Retail business resource efficiency

The best way to improve resource efficiency in your retail business is to adopt a systematic, step-by-step approach. This should look at the way you buy and use resources such as energy, water, goods and materials.

Environmental management for retailers

This process may be part of an environmental management system (EMS), which will put in place a formal policy and procedures to help you save money, increase efficiency and comply with legislation. For more information, see set up an environmental management system.

ISO 50001 is based on a management model of continual improvement. It provides a framework for organisations to develop more efficient ways to use energy.

Retail environmental management tips

If you don't have the time and money to set up an EMS, you can still use some of the key elements to help you reduce your resource use.

You should make sure you:

• carry out an initial, baseline review of your environmental performance
• analyse the data and information that you collect
• produce an action plan of what you're going to do, when it will be done and who will do it
• set objectives and targets so that you can keep track of performance and the benefits
• review performance and make any necessary improvements

For more information, see carry out an environmental review of your business and set environmental performance targets.

As well as the resource efficiency of your own business, you should also look at ways of involving your supply chain and working with suppliers to improve your environmental performance. For more information, see supply chain efficiency.