London’s small and medium-sized businesses are being ignored when it comes to encouraging companies to buy environmentally-friendly products, according to a new report.
The Buying Recycled report by the London Assembly’s Environment Committee, revealed that the London Development Agency (LDA) and London Remade are failing to offer sufficient information or advice to help small and medium-sized businesses understand and buy recycled products.
Although the report acknowledged that progress has been made in encouraging businesses to purchase more environmentally-friendly products, it highlighted that many of the recycled products available are expensive – effectively pricing smaller businesses out of the market.
The report called for London Remade to establish a buying group to negotiate with suppliers on behalf of smaller firms. It also encouraged the LDA and London Remade to pressurise suppliers to increase the choice of recycled products available.
Chair of the Committee Darren Johnson AM, said: “It is totally unacceptable for the mayor, LDA and London Remade to focus only on large firms – that’s the easy option.
“We want a proper marketing campaign aimed at small and medium-sized businesses that are willing but not able to buy recycled. London stands to gain so much and it is simply inconceivable that the mayor has ignored this sector up to now.”
© Crimson Business Ltd. 2006
