Businesses in Oxford’s High Street are finding ways to cut costs while boosting the environment.

Twelve businesses have signed up to a free waste audit as part of a county-wide initiative by Oxfordshire County Council and the Oxfordshire Town Chambers Network.

The move follows a successful trial in the city’s Little Clarendon Street and North Parade Avenue where traders claim to have cut more than 60 per cent off their commercial waste bill.

The Old Bank Hotel and Quod Brasserie are among those on the High Street to look at ways they can cut waste costs in their business and recycle more.

Owner Jeremy Mogford said: “The audit showed clearly how we can make savings and increase the amount of waste we can recycle. I am sure we will be adopting many of the improvements that have been recommended.”

The audits, which look at the commercial waste produced by a business and recommend ways to cuts costs and recycle more, are funded by Oxfordshire County Council and carried out by specialists from the Environmental Information Exchange (EiE) at Oxford Brookes University.

In the last financial year, 485 Oxfordshire businesses took part in this programme and it is estimated those in Little Clarendon Street could cut £12,000 a year from their £17,000 annual commercial waste waste bills.

Recommendations included businesses working together on joint recycling initiatives, arranging cardboard, paper and plastic recycling, reducing food waste through careful management and composting and recycling wood and paper.

Now more businesses are being urged to sign up to the campaign.

Oxfordshire County Council sustainable business officer, Dan Dempsey, said: “Waste audits are an easy way for businesses to reduce costs and mitigate their environmental impact. Oxfordshire County Council provides waste audits free to any business with premises in the county and I would encourage anyone wanting to improve their financial and environmental performance to take part.”

Anyone wanting a free waste audit should visit www.otcn.co.uk or e-mail Karyn@otcn.co.uk for more details.