SMALL businesses in Dorset are being offered a helping hand to be greener in the tough economic climate.

Sustainable business experts Envirowise are advising firms to think ‘out of the box’ when it comes to identifying ways they can reduce waste in 2009.

It says an estimated 80 per cent of the cost of a product and its packaging is set at the design stage.

With cost-savings an ongoing priority for businesses the adoption of leaner and more sustainable packaging design can have a positive knock-on effect on costs and profits.

To help companies understand where improvements can be made, and to help them influence supply chains, the organisation is running a free online seminar on eco-design for products and packaging on February 25.

Companies will learn about relevant legislation, view live product and packaging disassembly exercises and be given the opportunity to submit their own questions to an expert panel.

The ‘webinar’ will help businesses understand how to make design packaging choices that reduce costs.

To sign up and for advice on eco-design visit: www.envirowise.gov.uk/webinar