ORGANISATIONS can save money and streamline their processes by focusing more on the environment, according to the Dorset organisers of a major exhibition.

The Big Green Event, organised by Poole-based Southern Sustainability Partnership, aims to highlight ways to reduce running costs as well as carbon impact.

The partnership says environmentally-friendly measures can also help meet the changing needs of customers and make businesses more attractive to new staff.

The second annual event is at Southampton’s Hilton Ageas Bowl on Thursday, October 12, 9.30am-4.30pm.

It will include a chance to test-drive electric/hybrid vehicles such as the latest Tesla models and the Nissan Leaf, as well as offering hundreds of exhibitors, keynote speakers, free workshops and presentations.

Businesses from Dorset will demonstrate commercial and domestic clean energy, magnetic conditioning, best practice training, low energy lighting, environmentally friendly conferencing and networking.

Lynda Daniels, director of the Southern Sustainability Partnership, said adopting better procedures on environmental issues would help firms win new business as well as helping the environment. She said the “circular economy” meant sustainability policies were passed down the supply chain.

She pointed to the new environmental standard ISO 14001, which was being adopted voluntarily.

“ISO 14001 is something we don’t legally have to do. You can choose to do it, but it’s not a green ISO, it’s a business management ISO because your business will be functioning differently after it,” she said.

“I can’t stress enough how many businesses are cottoning on to the fact that this ISO is improving their processes. That filters down to SME level.”

She added: “Looking at environmental management really does help to focus the mind on the business – rather than in the business – and perhaps to streamline the process.”

The event has attracted sponsorship from Suez Recycling and Recovery UK.

Southern Sustainability Partnership director Anita Potten said: “Waste management is arguably among the biggest issues facing organisations today and to have Suez involved is a real boost for the exhibition and what it can bring to the visitor. Working with such a great name in the waste and recycling sector is helping to steer the event in the direction where it can provide the most support for everyone who takes part.”