Save paper costs by buying recycled paper and reusing discarded paper for notes
Lengthen the life of toner cartridges by adjusting printer settings to default print on both sides and in draft quality
Minimise energy costs by ensuring that all equipment and lights are turned off (ie not left on standy) when not in use
Ensure all light bulbs are energy efficient
Recycle old computer equipment by giving it to local charities or community groups
Reduce energy bills by turning down the heating when it is not needed and always ensure that this is done before opening a window
Maximise savings by putting up signage reminding staff to save energy and reduce waste
At Christmas, make a donation to charity rather than sending cards
Give an active preference to products with minimal packaging
Save time, inconvenience and pollution by using conference calls rather than travelling to meetings where possible
Level 2
Calculate your carbon footprint and take steps to reduce it
Promote alternative transportation for staff and provide incentives eg: carpools, cycling, walking, public transport
Provide cycle rack facilities and sign up to the Inland Revenue bicycle scheme
Communicate your environmental practices to customers, staff, investors and suppliers
Have a clear environmental policy with responsibility at board level
Look at opportunities to reduce toxic chemicals eg: batteries, copier toner, paints, cleaning supplies etc and if required, ensure their safe disposal
Level 3
Set up a green team to monitor environmental impact and report on progress
Monitor energy and water use by taking monthly meter readings; plot these to check on progress; set targets for reduction
Set targets - aim for a 5 - 10% reduction in key indicator areas including reams of paper, energy, car/cab/air mileage and update staff regularly
Take steps to improve your environment outside your business premises
Implement environmental management systems such as ISO 14001
Workplace
Level 1
Accommodate flexible working for employees that need to work from home or have flexible hours
Encourage staff involvement in programmes that benefit young people, older people, and the most disadvantaged and excluded groups
Consult staff and support a charity of the year, maybe one that is directly relevant to your business
Eliminate smoking from business premises and provide information on stop smoking programmes
Buy fairly traded tea and coffee for the tea room and canteen
Promote healthy work practices eg: providing the right chairs and equipment, encouraging breaks and lunch breaks
Level 2
Make healthy lunch options available to staff
Use community volunteering opportunities for cost effective staff training and development
Create a company policy to match funding for individual employee community involvement
Commit to recruiting locally where possible, reflecting the diversity of the local area
Promote employee volunteering and give time to do this
Review salaries to ensure that you pay comparable pay for comparable work
Set up a payroll 'Give as you Earn' scheme for employees
Provide work experience opportunities to individuals with learning disabilities
Level 3
Talk with staff to agree a common set of values to which the company subscribes
Carry out an annual audit of your workplace practices
Recognise employee involvement in the community in your appraisals
Take on Modern Apprentices or New Deal employees
Provide employment opportunities for individuals from disadvantaged or minority groups eg: asylum seekers; homeless; long-term unemployed or ex-offenders
Join a local or sector - based employers' forum to clarify skills need and target recruitment from disadvantaged communities
Community
Level 1
Encourage staff to give time each week to help pupils with reading, writing, maths or languages
Offer long and short-term work experience placements to young people
Provide financial assistance or donate equipment and materials to schools or voluntary groups
Host a visit for young people to your business to learn about enterprise in action
Give time or take part in a one-off team challenge for a voluntary organisation
Support local carnivals and community events
Donate time, expertise, skills or resources in identified local projects working with the most disadvantaged groups
Level 2
Offer to meet on a regular basis, or communicate by email with a young person or small group of young people to support them with their learning and personal development
Provide information about your organisation, which can be used in teaching about the workplace
Help teachers and pupils to develop enterprise skills and knowledge by offering real examples from your business
Encourage employees to volunteer time and expertise in longer term partnership with voluntary organisations
Provide advisors to enterprise initiatives
Level 3
Become a school governor or join the management committee of a voluntary organisation
Support the managers of education and community organisations by sharing management experience
Provide mentors for individuals from disadvantaged or minority groups and help to raise aspirations of young people
Donate at least 1% of pre-tax profits to charitable organisations
Seek marketing opportunities that raise funds for a charity and customer loyalty for your business
Marketplace
Level 1
Ensure that all staff, suppliers and creditors are paid on time
Make your website accessible to visually impaired people
Ensure your procurement processes are open to local firms and social enterprises regardless of size and ethnicity of ownership
Provide constructive feedback to your suppliers whether their bids are successful and unsuccessful
Treat your customers with honesty and integrity and keep your promises
Communicate your commitment and actions on responsible business practice to suppliers and customers and seek their feedback
Level 2
Seek to collaborate with suppliers to improve business practices, human rights and labour issues in the supply chain
Ensure your advertising is responsible and based on honest statements
Seek out and remove potential barriers to small and ethnic minority businesses in your purchasing procedure
Take account of the needs of vulnerable customers and take steps to mitigate negative effects
Make sure your staff feel they are working within a culture that supports a responsible approach to every aspect of how business is carried out
Level 3
Create a supplier framework with a set of responsible business practices and give support to them
If you are a large business offer training and resources to suppliers to help them meet these standards
Minimise social or environmental problems in new product designs
Produce new products that offer social and environmental benefits
Check whether there is a market opportunity for your product or service serving the poorest communities
If you have operations in developing countries be clear about the standards of behaviour you will operate
