People are generally more concerned with the environment at home than they are in their place of work, it has emerged.

New research for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) discovered that attitudes towards energy saving and recycling differ between the two locations.

Of those questioned, 40 per cent revealed they recycled plastics at home but not at work and 21 per cent were more concerned about unnecessarily printing out emails from their personal computer.

Measures which people can take to cut the cost of their utility bills, such as switching lights off in empty rooms and turning off dripping taps, are also not being taken into consideration at work, the research found.

"Simple steps like using less energy or considering what you throw away are easy ways to make savings. Resource efficiency is the future for all businesses, large and small," stressed environment secretary Hilary Benn.

As a result of the Tickbox.net/Opinion Matters survey, Defra has launched a campaign to encourage small businesses to minimise their waste and cut down on excess energy use.

This, it stresses, will help companies cut their outgoings, which is likely to be appealing during the current economic crisis.

Mr Benn indicated that simple steps such as reducing waste and turning a thermostat down a degree can make all the difference - to both the environment and business accounts.

Being eco-friendly can also help a company improve its customer relations, Defra suggests, as they are able to prove their resource efficiency.

Mr Benn said that the catering and hospitality trades in particular must be encouraged to implement a "shift in culture" for environmental benefits to be reaped.

"Finding ways to save money will help businesses retain a competitive edge. Being sustainable is now essential - for your bottom line and for the environment," he added.