Eco friendly modular floor coverings and fabrics maker, InterfaceFLOR, is providing simple techniques to change the way companies operate and reduce the impact they have on the environment.

The company, widely regarded as one of the most environmentally responsible in the world with more than 36 environmental awards globally, has listed seven easy steps that business can take to become more environmentally responsible in just one week.

In the mid-1990s, company founder Ray Anderson realised the impact his business was having on the environment and decided to make it the company''s goal to reduce and eliminate these effects. The company set targets to achieve a zero environmental footprint by the year 2020, a goal called "Mission Zero".

Lindsey Parnell, CEO, InterfaceFLOR, says, "Sustainability is hard work and in many ways is like climbing a mountain. For many companies, the first and most difficult step is admitting that the mountain exists. We see the challenges ahead and are making good progress. We''ve laid out a path to sustainability on seven fronts, all of which will help us complete our journey."

InterfaceFLOR drives sustainability in the following seven areas:

• Eliminate waste: Reduce all forms of waste in every area of business
  
• Benign emissions: Eliminate toxic substances from products, vehicles and facilities
  
• Renewable energy: Operate facilities with renewable energy sources - solar, wind, landfill gas, biomass, and low impact hydroelectric
  
• Closing the loop: Redesign processes and products to close the technical loop using recovered and bio-based materials
  
• Resource-efficient transportation: Transport people and products efficiently to reduce waste and emissions
  
• Sensitising stakeholders: Create a culture that integrates sustainability principles and improves people''s lives and livelihoods
  
• Redesign commerce: Create a new business model that demonstrates and supports the value of sustainability-based commerce

"We have been on this mission for over 13 years now and in many respects we''re still learning and improving. Many businesses really don''t know where to begin. We believe that there are some simple measures that can be put in place to help them get started," says Parnell.

InterfaceFLOR recommends firms introduce the following small steps to help reduce a big environmental footprint in just one week:

• Install energy efficient light bulbs: They use less energy and can lead to significant savings.
• Make sure that all computers and electrical equipment are switched off overnight and NOT left on standby: Up to 70 per cent of computers and related equipment are left on all the time. Equipment energy costs can be reduced by 20 per cent just by turning off when not in use.
• Cut waste and where waste can''t be prevented look to reuse or recycle: The average office worker uses 50 sheets of A4 every day. Try printing on both sides of the paper. Producing recycled paper involves between 28-70 per cent less energy and it is cheaper to buy.
• Reduce car usage for needless travel: Around 50 per cent of car journeys are less than two miles. Introduce incentives for staff to cycle, use public transport or even lift-share to travel to and from work.
• Where possible, use a renewable energy supplier: Renewable energy can save your business money and also reduces your impact on the environment. The five main types of renewable energy are solar, wind power, hydropower, biomass, and geothermal.
• Source from environmentally friendly suppliers: If every business challenged its suppliers to demonstrate their environmental credentials, this would have a knock-on effect at each stage of the supply chain, further helping the environment.
• Preach what you practice: By communicating your environmental successes, this enthuses and engages employees. Further more, other companies are more likely to do business with a company that has strong environmental credentials.