Resources - Environmental Policy Practice and Procedures
With climate change and global warming high in people's thoughts, environmental responsibility has never been more important. As the following section demonstrates, developing an Environmental Policy is an exciting and rewarding process - and one which may be simpler than you expect.
Documents and Support
Curious to know your current carbon footprint, follow this link to use the interactive calculator.
If you would like to write your own Enviromental policy please see the sample policy for assistance
Environmental Volunteering
British Trust for Conservation Volunteers
Local contacts via Volunteer Centres in Hertfordshire
Top Tips
The following suggestions may help you in implementing these ideas:
Travel Tips
Cutting down on travel is crucial in the battle against climate change and pollution. Informal measures may be taken by employees, such as lift sharing or using environmentally friendly transport, but organisations can consider:
- Car Sharing schemes: A simple company database can match destinations with drivers who would like to be involved in this measure. This works well for locally based companies where the staff often live within close proximity. It can also be good for team and relationship building within your workforce. Visit the liftshare website for further ideas.
- Flexible Working: For larger organisations, flexibile working initiatives such as flexitime or flexiplace can cut down on travel significantly. Home working can be an effective option for some workers, particularly those whose jobs already involve a significant amount of travel. Flexitime would reduce the amount of rush hour traffic.
- Public Transport: Making information about public transport available in your office may encourage more employees to make the switch. Bus or train timetables are a simple way of reducing some of the effort normally associated to public transport.
- Transport and Distribution Businesses: If you are required to transport your goods, make sure that your practices are as environmentally friendly as possible. Do you use fuel-efficient vehicles? Plan journeys so that you are following the most efficient route? Make use of local transporting services? Carry out deliveries on a multiple, rather than single, basis - where applicable? Store vehicles near to the warehouse?
Eating Green
- Mugs and crockery: A few plates and ceramic mugs may seem like an unnecessary expense, but the cost is more than offset by the environmental cost of plastic cups and plates. Leading by example, encourage your employees to be more aware of their waste through presenting them with an alternative.
- Water coolers: Water filter jugs in the fridge can provide an equally refreshing drink - at less environmental cost.
- Freezers and fridgers: Ensure that freezers and fridge doors are kept closed to avoid energy waste.
Lighting and Heating
- Replace light bulbs: Using energy efficient lightbulbs is a simple way of cutting your energy bills and is a simple way of moving to more environmentally friendly practices. The lightbulbs make no difference to lighting and by replacing old bulbs as they fail with this model, there is no extra work for your organisations.
- Review your heating systems. Check the positionning - windows, draughts and direct sunlight can all affect the temperature and lead to inefficient heat use. Unnecessary radiators or air conditionning units (i.e. where no people are working or where other factors such as windows influence the temperature) can be removed to save your organisation money. Check the positionning of furniture - are radiators or windows blocked by furniture?
Energy Efficiency
- Regulary measure your energy output to check that it is in line with your energy needs. Whilst higher outputs in the extremes of seasons are inevitable, check that the measurement corresponds with the context. For example, in summer, lighting and less heating should reduce energy consumption.
- Maintenance of equipment, when carried out properly and regularly, should sustain their functionning and lead to more efficient usage.
- Reviews of positionning, waste and un-needed resources should be carried out on a regular basis.
- Timing. Ensuring that you are not using energy when there is no need to use energy is a quick way of cutting costs and being environmentally friendly. Can you turn any appliances off over night? Are lights turned off when rooms are not in use or fitted with sensors? Does equipment have standby settings for periods of less use - and are they turned off when workers leave?
Resources
- Packaging: Look at how your product is currently packaged. Are you using unnecessary amounts of packaging? Can the materials be recycled?
- Production materials: Where do you resources come from? Are you using sustainable sources, where possible? Have you explored all the possible options?
- Land: Is your office or production space an efficient use of land? Are you aware of your neighbours - and there needs? What impact does your workplace have on the immediate environment? Do you monitor your emissions?
Case Studies
End-O-Line Services
End-O-Line Services (EOLS) Limited provides Information Technology (IT) asset disposal and data erasure services to Blue Chip companies, global financial institutions and the government sector plus a special service targeted at SMEs. Through recycling and reusing all IT equipment that it handles, EOLS aims to ensure all businesses have access to disposal of IT hardware in an environmentally responsible way. EOLS’ methods exceed those laid down by the WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) Directive which is due to come in to force on 1st July 2007. Its ultimate aim is to re-use not recycle.
In addition, EOLS’ operates a data erasure service which is comparable with the system used by the MOD.
Process
In 2006, its tenth anniversary year, EOLS handled 1,000s of pieces of equipment each week. 50% is resold, 40% is broken up into components for re-sale and the remaining 10% goes to recycling partners for disposal in an environmentally responsible way, meaning EOLS operates a zero landfill policy.
EOLS is audited by Environment Agency (EA) enforcement officers on a regular basis to ensure standards remain at the required level. In fact, the EA recently chose EOLS for the subject of a case study as an example of good practice because of its positive environmental efforts and impact, the good work EOLS carries out within the local community and for the investment put in to training staff.
EOLS encourages the re-use of equipment and environmentally responsible practices internally. All IT equipment and networking systems used by its staff are second-hand and EOLS operates a freight forwarding policy whereby recycled goods being delivered to customers are transported by collection crew en-route to priority clients rather than using courier services, reducing fuel use.
EOLS also works with its clients to promote environmental responsibility to a wider audience. It offers discounted second-hand equipment to clients’ employees and runs a scheme whereby schools receive free complete computer systems. EOLS also operates a scheme through which clients donate their redundant equipment to charity instead of receiving a residual cash value.
Impact
- EOLS’ environmental credentials led to the recruitment of over 50 new clients in 2005 and that number has been increasing steadily ever since.
- In 2006 EOLS had a turnover of £2 million, an increase of 268% since 1996.
- In 2005, monthly sales figures increased by around £85,000 per month.
- Media coverage has brought a regular stream of people seeking employment to EOLS.
- Whereas five years ago EOLS handled less than 1,000 pieces of equipment, it now recycles many thousands of pieces. This represents a very significant amount of waste which has been diverted from landfill sites.
The Apsley Paper Trail
The Apsley PaperTrail is a centre for activity based environmental education, work-based learning, and the cultivation of enterprise and social inclusion. It is based at a historic mill which makes 100% recycled paper using waste paper collected from local schools and businesses within a one-hour radius of Apsley through a scheme called Recycle for Learning; a closed loop, community recycling scheme.
Useful Links
The Guardian environment website
The latest environmental news, views and reviews.
The Ethical Junction Network
Provides information on positively screened companies and organisations
NetRegs
A website that summarises environmental legislation, providing free environmental guidance for small companies in the UK.
Community Waste Information Centre
Business Link: Environment and Efficiency
A practical guide and information for organisations seeking to monitor their approaches to the environment.
ActionAid recycling collect ink and toner cartridges, mobile phones and PDAs and for recycling to raise funds for ActionAid.
Envirowise offers UK businesses free, independent, confidential advice and support on practical ways to increase profits, minimise waste and reduce environmental impact.
The Energy Helpline supports businesses to chose the most efficient energy suppliers.
Health and Safety Executive.
The Governmental authority supporting the enforcement of the Health and Safety Commission.
The Global Action Plan is a practical environmental charity which helps people to make positive changes at home, at work, at school and in the wider community.
Greening the Office
An online audit and factsheets to support you organisation in developing environmentally friendly practices.
The Energy Saving Trust: Making the most of your energy.
Computer Aid International
An organisation which enables the re-use of computer equipment.
Reduce the Use: Bringing small businesses into the environment.
Directgov provides general advice on environmentally friendly practices, including recycling, saving energy or water and reducing travel.
