Businesses in Wales are cutting costs by making environmental changes and becoming more resource efficient, according to a YouGov survey commissioned by WRAP (Waste & Resources Action Programme).

The UK-wide survey, commissioned to find out whether businesses are making best use of natural resources and saving waste, found that 82 per cent of businesses in Wales are recycling more of their waste and 64 per cent have decreased energy consumption over the past 12 months.

Sixty six per cent of businesses questioned said that their main reason for implementing environmental changes was to cut costs, and the second most popular reason was to meet CSR or environmental objectives (59 per cent of those questioned.) As well as recycling waste and reducing energy consumption, Welsh companies gave a wide range of resource efficiency measures they were taking, including investing in new business processes or technology to decrease the use of natural resources (55 per cent) and cutting back on travel and costs by using more video and teleconference facilities (45 per cent).

Businesses were asked what they did to minimise the use of natural resources and prevent waste. All businesses said they asked staff to change their behaviour (100 per cent), for example switching appliances off when not in use, increasing email communications rather than printed or written (80 per cent) and switching to energy efficient light bulbs (57 per cent).

WRAP Cymru has worked closely with Pulse Plastics Ltd based in Ebbw Vale, a company that produces and sells an innovative plastic edging product made from recycled materials and is committed to becoming more resource efficient.

Pulse’s products are made from recycled drinks bottles, plastic films and shrink-wrap and one sixth of its recovered materials are sourced from its customers. With ongoing support from WRAP to pursue sales opportunities and support a growth strategy, Pulse Plastics doubled its turnover by securing an order in excess of £350,000 closely followed by another order for £200,000.

Beth Winkley, head of WRAP Cymru, said: “Resource efficiency is good for the environment and good for business. Making the best use of our natural resources will not damage our economy – on the contrary it will make Wales and the rest of the UK more competitive.

“The response from Welsh businesses has convinced us that an increasing number are committed to improving their resource efficiency and that they can see the business benefits of doing this.

“Pulse Plastics is a prime example of an innovative company that is reaping the rewards of being sustainable and resource efficient, and as a result of the support provided by WRAP, has opened up new markets in Europe.

“Despite some tough environmental targets for businesses, WRAP believes we can meet them in a way that sustains and develops our economy.”

The findings of the WRAP survey were presented at WRAP’s annual conference on 4 November with speakers WRAP CEO Dr Liz Goodwin, Secretary of State for the Environment, Hilary Benn and Morrison’s CEO Marc Bolland.

The survey was carried out by YouGov and 274 out of 301 respondents were from FTSE 350 companies. All were from the UK’s top 500 companies.