BUSINESSES are coming to realise that many of the steps they take to reduce their environmental impact actually have a positive cost benefit to their company.

Cutting down resource use and waste is one way businesses are lowering their environmental impact and making significant cost savings. As part of its environmentally responsible operations, Marina Bay Sands has continued to make major inroads in resource conservation. The hotel's uniquely designed Art Science Museum is able to collect rainwater for use in the building's toilets and for irrigation, while hi-tech fittings such as self-closing taps and constant flow regulators ensure minimal water wastage, reducing the consumption of water by around 350 million litres per year.

Beyond the direct savings from cutting energy, waste and water, a company's reputation can also benefit from its green behaviour. After all, a brand's reputation plays a big role in its success. The more consumers become aware of the impact of what they buy, the greater the financial incentive for companies to ensure they are behaving responsibly throughout their business. A leaked McKinsey and Co study several years ago showed that nearly 10 per cent of Walmart customers stopped shopping there because of the company's poor reputation, which resulted because of its lack of commitment towards the environment.