Businesses across the UK are prioritising environmental initiatives in the workplace, new research from leading recruitment agency Spring Personnel has shown. The study, which surveyed over 100 UK businesses across a range of sectors and sizes, revealed that 87% of respondents professed an active interest in environmental issues with a further 12% stating that they were beginning to do the same. The study was conducted as part of Spring Personnels ongoing campaign centred on corporate responsibility to the environment, which examines the detrimental effects that business operations can have on the environment, as well as the ways in which companies can counter their own negative influences by making small changes within the workplace. Another encouraging finding of the survey was that 81% of respondents expressed an interest in making their business more environmentally friendly, suggesting a number of possibilities for the implementation of environmentally focused policies and procedures in workplaces across the UK. When quizzed about methods they currently adopt to help to lessen their environmental impact, the most popular solutions employed by respondents included the encouragement of emailing over and above printing and posting (93%); the provision of recycling bins at work (91%); and the discouragement of all unnecessary printing (84%). However, one area where significant improvement remains to be made is travel-related initiatives, with only 22% of businesses surveyed currently operating a ride to work scheme. In addition to the survey, other elements of Spring Personnels environmental campaign include pledge weeks held at Spring Personnel branches across the UK, where consultants will encourage clients to commit to environmental initiatives within their organisations, including recycling, reducing the general volume of printing, and encouraging alternative methods of transport. We have been overwhelmed by the positive responses that have emerged as a result of this campaign from companies that were keen to do their bit but needed an extra moral push or some constructive advice to help them on their transition into green territory, says Steven Kirkpatrick, Managing Director of Spring Personnel, Now that companies and corporations are beginning to develop a moral conscience, industries can make a real difference to the cause by implementing clear policies and procedures in order to streamline and support targeted efforts. Credit: www.onrec.com