Recession Leaves Legacy of Resource Efficiency as East Midlands Businesses Undergo Major 'Thrift Shift'

DIDCOT, England, December 11 - The recession could leave a legacy of improved resource efficiency in the
East Midlands as businesses adopt an increasingly 'thrifty' mindset - that's
according to a new report published today by sustainability experts
Envirowise.

The Envirowise Business Thrift Shift Report, which encompasses responses
from more than 500 UK companies, reveals that more than two thirds (71%) of
respondents in the East Midlands have developed a more detailed knowledge of
their spending and resource use as a result of the recession. This includes
everything from investment in raw materials, transport and energy, to
staffing, equipment and professional services.

Reduction of spend on raw materials and consumables was a key area of cut
back for 44% of the region's companies, with a large number also minimising
their water, energy and transport use. And this 'thrift shift' is set to
continue, with 97% of respondents expecting to be more careful about how they
use their resources once recovery comes.

Richard Thompson, Envirowise Regional Manager for the East Midlands,
said: "Businesses in the East Midlands have been facing some serious
challenges as a result of the recession and this is perhaps reflected in the
number of survey respondents reducing staff costs during this period (64%).
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.

"Such an approach does not only lead to financial savings; it can also
equip businesses to face increasing levels of environmental legislation and
provides an important competitive advantage as customers become more
environmentally conscious. These companies are not only more likely to
survive the recession in the short-term, but are also better placed to thrive
when the economy begins to recover."

Nationally, almost three-quarters of the 500 businesses surveyed (73%)
had developed a more detailed knowledge of their spending and resource use as
a result of the recession. The Envirowise Business Thrift Shift Report is
available at www.envirowise.gov.uk/thriftshift

Businesses can access free guidance and practical advice on resource
efficiency by visiting www.envirowise.gov.uk or calling the Envirowise
advice line on 0800-585794.

Notes to editors

About Envirowise:

Envirowise is a Government-funded programme dedicated to putting the
sustainable use of resources at the heart of UK business practice. Since 1994
Envirowise has helped UK businesses save over GBP1bn by enabling them to
significantly reduce their environmental footprints. Envirowise offers
businesses of all sizes and sectors a wide range of free, independent and
practical advice designed to genuinely improve their processes, profitability
and competitiveness. Services include:

    - The Envirowise Advice Line on 0800-585-794

    - An encyclopaedic website (www.envirowise.gov.uk) of valuable and
      relevant information

    - Over 200 events each year, from Product Design Workshops to major
      exhibitions

About the Envirowise Business Thrift Shift Report:

This report presents the findings of Envirowise research aimed at
understanding the extent to which business attitudes to resource efficiency
have altered as a result of the economic climate, as well as identifying
areas where lasting - and more welcome - changes have been made.

Led by Continental Research, the business omnibus survey was conducted
during September 2009. Participants included Managing Directors and Finance
Directors from companies across England, Scotland and Wales, with more than
300 small businesses (with a turnover of GBP50k to GBP1 million) and 200
medium to large businesses (with a turnover of more than GBP1 million) being
surveyed. The research also encompassed a wide variety of sectors and
industries, including wholesale, hotel and catering, business services,
retail, manufacturing, construction, transport, agriculture and mining.

In addition, Envirowise has spoken to a wide range of businesses and
industry commentators to seek individual opinions on the Envirowise Business
Thrift Shift - many of which have been included in the report, which is
available to download at www.envirowise.gov.uk/thriftshift

For further media information please contact Rod Dennis or Davinia Livock
on +44(0)117-929-2311 or email rod.dennis @ trimediauk.com / davinia.livock @
trimediauk.com.

For further media information please contact Rod Dennis or Davinia Livock on +44(0)117-929-2311 or email rod.dennis at trimediauk.com / davinia.livock at trimediauk.com.