BUSINESS chiefs in East Lancashire are urging local companies to ensure that they are doing all they can to limit waste and protect the environment.

Research by Business Link Lancashire indicates that businesses are wasting up to £6,000 every year through a lack of environmental awareness - the main culprit being dripping taps.

This can lead to a massive 5,000 litres of water a year being wasted.

The message is clear - being more "green" brings many business benefits and can save businesses money.

To encourage businesses to become more environmentally friendly, Business Link Lancashire has compiled a list of practical tips:

l Know which environmental regulations apply to your firm, to avoid breaking the law. Information is available at www.netregs.gov.ukl Assess the environmental impact of your business activities and look for ways to limit negative impacts. Try bringing environmental management standard ISO 14001 into your businessl Maximise your energy efficiency by reducing the use of heating, lighting and equipmentl Look for ways to reduce your water usage and test for leaksl Encourage staff to cycle to work. Employers can now loan bicycles to their staff under the government's Cycle to Work scheme. Visit www.bikeforall.net to find out morel Buy more environmentally- friendly vehiclesl Recover and recycle. Use the back of old documents as scrap paper, only print documents when necessary and send e-mails instead of lettersl Dispose of waste properly to prevent pollution or harml Make your products more environmentally friendlyl Buy environmentally-friendly products. Ask your suppliers for advice.Clive Memmott, chief executive at Business Link Lancashire, said: "Many business owners simply don't realise how the little things, like ignoring a dripping tap, can be costly to the company.

"When faced with the question, I believe most owners and managers would say that they want to make their business more environmentally friendly.

"However, many don't know where to start. That is where Business Link can help."

For more information on how you can be more environmentally friendly at work, contact Business Link Lancashire on 0845 600 9006 or visit www.businesslinklancashire.co.uk.