Recession could leave legacy of wiser spending
THE recession could leave a legacy of improved resource efficiency in Yorkshire as businesses become wiser to spending, according to a new report by sustainability experts Envirowise.
The Envirowise Business Thrift Shift Report reveals that almost two-thirds of respondents in Yorkshire have developed a more detailed knowledge of their spending and resource use as a result of the recession. This includes investment in raw materials, transport and energy, staffing, equipment and professional services.
Sixty-nine per cent of respondents in the region said their business had become thriftier in its spending habits and were using resources more efficiently as a result of the recession. The report suggest that the ‘thrift shift’ is set to continue as 78% of respondents expect to remain careful about how they use their resources once the recession is over.
Elin Crebbin, Envirowise regional manager for Yorkshire, said: “Yorkshire businesses have been facing some serious challenges as a result of the recession and this is perhaps reflected in a proportion of survey respondents reducing staff costs during this period (19%).
“However it is also clear that for many companies this period of economic difficulty has stimulated a more resource-conscious mindset, galvanising environmental commitments that had perhaps been lower down the business agenda.
“We know from experience that resource efficiency goes hand-in-hand with profitability, so it is encouraging to see better management of raw materials, energy and water forming an important component of the business response to recession in the region.”
Nationally almost three-quarters of the 500 businesses surveyed had developed a more detailed knowledge of their spending and resource use as a result of the recession.
