1. Make sure bins are full before being emptied - many businesses pay by the bin full for waste costs. If your waste contractor takes away three half empty bins per week you will probably pay for three full ones. Make sure each bin is filled before starting the next one.

2. Lock the bins at night - by securing you bins, you won't be paying for someone else's waste.

3. Provide photocopier training for all staff - photocopiers get more sophisticated by the day. Train staff to use them and reduce copier waste.

4. Provide printer training - many larger printers have several drawers, use one for scrap paper for rough printing

5. Shred waste paper for use as packaging - this not only uses up waste material but reduces packaging costs.

6. Return packaging to suppliers - they can reuse it to reduce their costs and save your waste disposal costs.

7. Donate unwanted materials to charity - there are many organisations who will take away unwanted materials to be sold on to schools and other organisations (see feature)

8. Ask your staff - your staff are a valuable source for ideas on reducing production waste. Set up a suggestion scheme and donate some of the savings to a nominated charity or give as a bonus. Always recognise individual's contributions.

9. Check out the waste exchanges - there are many waste exchanges around the country click here for a list.

10. Audit your waste - what really goes in your bins? What does it consist of and where does it come from? These are questions you need to find the answers to. If you find there is a significant amount of a particular waste it may well be worth separating out. Some waste materials are cheaper to dispose of and mixed waste always attracts the highest price.