A Government survey recently revealed that collectively, small businesses in the UK are saving at least £58m per year thanks to a free online service helping them to gain a better understanding of environmental law.

The independent survey commissioned by NetRegs.gov.uk, a free website providing guidance on environmental law, found that businesses in the hotel and restaurant industry who use this service and sign up for regular e-alerts are saving a massive £4,842 a year. Businesses using NetRegs.gov.uk, made these savings from more efficient handling of their waste and through financial savings on consultant fees and time researching legislation, as well as avoiding fines that they would have incurred through non-compliance.

Last year, poor awareness of environmental law among SMEs led to them bring hit by fines of around £2.4m for pollution and environmental damage. Even today more than three quarters of businesses are unable to name just one piece of environmental law that applies to their industry, a figure that reinforces the importance for businesses of taking advantage of the free guidance by NetRegs.

For more information on the NetRegs service please visit: www.netregs.gov.uk Or contact Fiona Healey at Lawton on: 023 8082 8500 or email [email protected]