The One Switch That Could Shave 776,000 Tons Per Year Off The Carbon Footprints Of UK Businesses

In recent months, environmental concerns and the spiralling cost of living crisis have dominated news headlines and become a permanent fixture at the top of many businesses’ agendas – and for good reason. It’s time to re-evaluate how the comms policies of companies are affecting the planet, their employees, and even their bank balance.

It’s estimated that 39% of UK workers use a second mobile handset for business purposes, provided by their employer. Creating clear separation between work and personal life is hugely important for good mental health and wellbeing – but is carrying a second handset really the most environmentally friendly solution?

The YourBusinessNumber research team found that, on average, each user produces 69kg of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) per year through just over three hours of mobile phone usage per day. This means that the 11.248m of us using an additional mobile handset for work are producing 776,112 tons of CO2e per year. Shockingly, that’s the equivalent of almost 500,000 return flights from London to New York.

But even setting the significant environmental benefits aside, businesses are likely to be swayed by the cost benefits of scrapping their policy of providing second handsets.

With each additional handset costing an average of £533 per year, UK businesses could save £6bn annually if they switched to a more cost-effective model.

And it needn’t come at the expense of employee welfare, either. Virtual number providers such as YourBusinessNumber provide an effective solution, allowing for professional and personal communication within one handset.

With separate apps for work and home (e.g. WhatsApp Messenger and WhatsApp Business), workers can relax and switch off once the working day is over, while businesses can keep their internal or third party information secure.

The benefits for businesses, workers and the environment couldn’t be clearer.

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