Environmental Office Policy

This policy is intended as a guide to reducing the environmental and subsequent social impact that day to day working has locally and globally. All workers, volunteers, tenants and visitors are encouraged to carry out the following measures.

Waste
Our company aims to minimize waste generation, by:
Maximizing the use of reclaimed materials.
Composting food waste.
Recycling all paper, cardboard, glass, metal, ink cartridges, batteries etc in the appropriate recycling bins.
Collecting tin foil (including bottle tops), used stamps and re usable envelopes.
Crushing all other waste to minimize space.

Energy
Our company encourages workers and volunteers to minimize energy use by:
Switching off lights when leaving a room.
Turning radiators down when leaving for the weekend.
Closing windows at the end of the day.
When not in switching off computers and other appliances.
Using high efficiency systems and equipment.
Using water saving measures and recycling water

Resource Use
Our company aims to:
Maximize renewable energy resources by purchasing energy from renewable sources (check www.energylinx.co.uk and other similar websites for comparing prices). This will go a long way to helping our business become carbon neutral.
Convert (at least some) company vehicles to run on biodiesel. This is another good step in the direction of carbon neutrality. Should a carbon trading scheme be introduced in the future for businesses this will stand us in good stead.
Using appropriate metering and feedback devices for for all resource usage.
Purchase and use recycled paper and card.
Ensure any printing ordered for the company is on recycled paper sing vegetable based non-toxic inks.
Assess all materials in the following order; non-toxic, reclaimed, renewable, locally produced, reusable, recycled, recyclable.
Avoid PVC folders and wallets, and instead use other plastic and card substitutes.
Avoid over packaging.
Ask suppliers to provide environmental and ethical information about products and practices so that those who disregard the environment, human well being or animal welfare may be avoided

Transport
To minimize use of polluting fuel sources and methods, vehicle use will be kept to a minimum and we encourage walking, cycling and using public transport.

Air Quality
To reduce the indoor air pollutants our company has a no smoking policy.
Avoids harmful and toxic materials eg. aerosol paints and cleaners.
Avoids solvent correction fluids, marker pens, paints etc. and use water based ones.
Holds a preference for products made from natural materials like wood.
Avoids foam backed carpets and other synthetic furniture made from MDF etc.