Environmental Policy
Updated March 4, 2015
Version 1.1
Executive Summary
At Chauncey’s Timber Flooring Ltd we recognise our place as an integral part of
an increasingly environmentally-conscious supply chain.
We therefore have a strong commitment to the environment and present
products that have the highest environmental credentials.
This approach helps our customers respond to demands for more sustainable
timber and makes it easier for them to choose a product that addresses
conservation and sustainability challenges.
Carbon Negativity
By supplying timber flooring from sustainably managed forests, Chauncey’s are playing
an integral part in a global effort towards a carbon negative environment. Trees absorb
CO2 in the atmosphere and sequester (store) it. This is because In deciduous trees,
the carbohydrates stored in the woody tissues and bark of branches, trunks, and roots
are used in spring to provide the carbon for emerging leaves (Larcher 1995, p. 147;
McLaughlin et al. 1980).Chauncey’s uses harvested oak trees from cultivated forestry
with an average lifespan of 40 years. A tree can absorb 1 ton of carbon dioxide by the
time it reaches 40 years old (North Carolina State University, n.d). Building with timber
is the safest and cheapest form of carbon capture and storage available. It costs
roughly £25-30 per tonne of CO2 captured and stored using mixed woodland forestry.
In addition, by storing emissions in buildings a polluting liability can turn into an asset.
Carbon emissions can be accounted for in property, on balance sheet, as an
appreciating asset (Wood for Good, 2013).
Sustainable progress
We underwent a thorough environmental audit in 2014 to enable us to work
towards a green strategy for the future of the business.
Summary:
Identify
Sustainability
Goals
Analyse energy
data
(consumption
and production)
Investigate
human element
(behaviours and
trends)
Analyse
performances
across each area
Implement change
through
recommendations
set out by the report
Continue to
monitor and
report on
progress
Chaunceys Timber Flooring
chauncey.co.uk
0117 971 3131
Positive Action
What we are actively doing to green our company?
We have a comprehensive environmental management scheme in place affiliated with
WECC (the West of England Carbon Challenge) in association with Low Carbon South
West. This is a voluntary environmental scheme that enables Chauncey’s to report
energy, resource, transport and waste data to an online database. This allows us to
keep track of our ever improving sustainability goals.
Energy
Nearly all of our power usage is generated by our array of solar panels on our
warehouse roofs. Any energy which we use that we do not generate ourselves comes
from Ecotricity, one of our partner organisations. This way we are actively driving down
CO2 emissions.
Chaunceys Timber Flooring
chauncey.co.uk
0117 971 3131
Sourcing of Goods
The following guidelines are included in the Green Accord open questions about
responsible sourcing of goods:
Requirement/Definition
Achieved
Purchase locally sourced products (where possible
x
from suppliers with environmental practices that
aspire to those of the Green Accord)
Purchase recycled products or those made from
x
sustainable sources (where possible from suppliers
with environmental practices that aspire to those of
the Green Accord)
Practice sustainable procurement throughout the
x
whole supply chain (have a supply chain with
shared environmental awareness and principles and
where key suppliers have an externally verified
environmental management system (EMS)
Procure business electronically
x
Not Achieved
Responsible Sourcing
All stocks of new European and North American Hardwoods are purchased as far as
genuinely ascertainable from sustainable sources. This is to say that timber is only
purchased from managed forests where, as trees are harvested, new trees are
replanted. We do not trade in new/virgin rainforest timber products. We try to minimise
“floor miles”, so concentrate on timbers from Europe with some from North
America/Canada, and nearly all of our production is carried out in Europe or the UK.
Where possible, we try to buy certified lumber for producing our flooring. Our showroom
and offices were primarily built using reclaimed timber for the timber frame construction,
roof and floor joists and wall panelling.
Chaunceys Timber Flooring
chauncey.co.uk
0117 971 3131
Recycling
Chauncey’s encompasses the “Reduce, Re-Use, Recycle” ethical
framework.
The company acknowledges the generation of non-hazardous and hazardous waste.
Measures to ensure that all recyclable waste has a dedicated facility are underway.
Materials that are currently recycled by the organisation:
Responsible disposal of hazardous waste generated as part of our production processes
is carried out through specialist partner companies complying with environmental
legislation and local rules.
Distribution
Direct deliveries from Chauncey’s are calculated by location. Outsourced deliveries are
by weight and location. We work very closely with all delivery partners to maintain
competitive delivery costs at all times. However, this partnership is built on more than
just price. We have to consider reliability, care, practicality and environmental impact.
To assist with all the above we encourage our customers to accept deliveries in certain
areas on certain days where possible. With this very simple and cost effective policy
we have helped to reduce our carbon footprint considerably. All our external couriers
have environmental policies in place.
Chaunceys Timber Flooring
chauncey.co.uk
0117 971 3131
Water & Energy Consumption
Lighting
After a visual inspection, it has been concluded that there are 142 artificial light sources at
the head office:
23 artificial light sources in the operational warehouse sited at 9 Victoria Road:
And 60 artificial light sources in the storage facility sited at Unit 5 Chandos Trading Estate:
Most areas across all three sites are well illuminated by natural light and upon inspection
(2-3pm in late August) 60% of lighting was not in use. Lighting is not left on when the
building is empty.
Chaunceys Timber Flooring
chauncey.co.uk
0117 971 3131
Comparisons across the WECC Companies
How does Chaunceys compare to other similar sized businesses with similar operations?
Average electricity consumption in the WECC companies group
Compared to other companies that have submitted data through WECC, Chauncey’s 9
Victoria Road appears to outperform the average electricity consumption (83.7% less
consumption in kWh) while maintaining just a 2.9% difference between Chauncey’s and
the best performing company. Heating & Lighting are not left on when the building are
empty.
Average water consumption in the WECC companies group:
Compared to other companies that have submitted data through WECC, Chauncey’s 9
Victoria Road appears to outperform the average water consumption (29.6% less
consumption in Cubic metres/m2).
Chaunceys Timber Flooring
chauncey.co.uk
0117 971 3131
Behavioural Trends:
A staff survey was carried out in order to assess general attitudes to the environment
at work. This was an online survey circulated amongst a sample of the office based
staff.
The following conclusions were made:








Most Chauncey’s employees live within 15 miles of the office (80% of
responses).
The most popular method of reaching the office is via car (60% of responses).
No employees participate in car share schemes (100% of applicable
responses).
Most employees feel that their method of travelling to the office is not good for
the environment (60% of responses).
The reasons that employees drive cars to work are mostly because it is
convenient but also cost effective (40% of responses) and more reliable than
public transport (40% of responses).
40% of employees would be interested in obtaining a tax free bicycle through
their employer.
All employees feel that Chauncey’s is more environmentally friendly than other
businesses in the same industry.
All employees make an effort to recycle in the workplace with the exception of
food waste
Chaunceys Timber Flooring
chauncey.co.uk
0117 971 3131
Future Ideas for Development
In our effort to always improve our contribution towards carbon reduction and raised
environmental awareness amongst our staff, the following ideas will be initiated in
2015:



Promotion of Car Sharing
Potential Introduction of a Tax Free Bike Scheme
Composting of Food Waste
Employees are presented with a copy of the environmental policy and
encouraged to sign that they have read and understood the terms. The policy
is displayed in an accessible area for any occupants to view.
Signed By:
Position:
. Date:
Chaunceys Timber Flooring
chauncey.co.uk
0117 971 3131