1st Floor, St Nicholas House
Old Churchyard
Liverpool L2 8TX
Tel: 0151 236 0855
Fax: 0151 236 2046
www.options-empowers.org
Policy and Procedure 21
Environment and
Sustainability
Our mission is to support, empower and enable people with
disabilities to live their lives to the full
Company Registered in England and Wales No: 2861966 Charity Registration No: 1063038
Options for Supported Living
PP 21
Environment and Sustainability
1.
Our Aim
1.1
Our commitment is to creating a clean environment and reducing our carbon
footprint. We are aware of the limited resources on our planet, and so
Options is committed to use them wisely. We have a designated lead on
environmental issues whose role it is to suggest possible changes to reduce
our carbon footprint. We also want to increase awareness of environmental
issues. Through the induction process, bulletins and newsletters we will
provide information on how reductions in our carbon footprint can be
achieved.
1.2
We are working towards reducing waste within our administration and office
environment. We also want to enable the people we support to take full
advantage of a cleaner environment. Where practical we will make
recommendations for a change.
1.3
We believe that in the long term financial savings can be achieved in
Options office and in the homes of people we support. Through awareness
of the environmental issues we believe that our staff will also make changes
in their personal lives.
2.
Our Work
2.1
Research and keep up to date with information provided by the Carbon
Trust and the Energy Saving Trust.
2.2
Highlight and work with the building management on environmental friendly
issues.
2.3
Use paper from well managed forests in all our administration and
correspondence.
2.4
Recycle all confidential information by legal and secure methods.
2.5
Recycle computers and electrical appliances by a legal and secure method.
2.6
Purchase computers and electrical items which are more environmentally
friendly.
2.7
Recycle waste products such as ink cartridges, mobile ‘phones and
batteries.
2.8
Separate waste products for recycling eg paper, cans, bottles etc.
2.9
Ensure that electrical equipment is switched off when not in use and saves
energy when left idle for a period of time.
Approved date: May 2013
Review date: April 2015
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Options for Supported Living
PP 21
2.10
Consider a request from new staff for an interest free loan for those who
want to purchase a monthly public travel pass or a bicycle. (Evidence of
purchase must be provided).
2.11
Options have produced an environmentally friendly check list for Team
Leaders to follow on our supported living services. This is to be used as an
aid for possible changes and adaptations that could be made in the homes
of people we support.
2.12
Support environmentally friendly initiatives for the people we support eg
allotments, wildlife gardens etc.
2.13
Encourage and support the use of public transport and cycling.
2.14
Encourage the use of cars that are environmentally friendly and produce
less harmful emissions.
2.15
Encourage the use of car pool and sharing transport.
3.
Conclusion
3.1
Options recognises the importance of careful and thoughtful stewardship of
the resources we have to hand. We will continue to strive and innovate to
minimise the damage to the environment.
4.
Sustainability
4.1
Introduction
Options is committed to working in a manner that sustains our world, that
meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future
generations to meet their own needs. We share a belief that the earth’s
resources are limited and we all share the responsibility to protect and
enhance nature’s capital wherever practical.
5.
Principles
5.1
Our policy is based on the following principles:
5.2
We will comply with and whenever possible exceed all applicable legislation,
regulations and codes of practice.
5.3
We will integrate the principles of sustainability in our decision making.
5.4
We will ensure all staff are fully aware of the principles of sustainability and
are committed to their implementation.
5.5
We will actively seek to minimise our impact on scarce resources in all of
our office functions.
5.6
We will raise awareness of sustainability issues with the people we support.
Approved date: May 2013
Review date: April 2015
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Options for Supported Living
PP 21
5.7
We will measure, monitor and review our sustainability performance
5.8
Options believes strong principles must be the catalyst for action. Some of
the practical steps we have committed to are:
6.
Environmental
6.1
Wherever practical, we will walk, cycle, and/or use public transportation
when attending work meetings, training and special events
6.2
Travel exceeding a 100 mile radius will wherever possible be undertaken by
train
6.3
We will consider travel costs when placing Support Workers and Team
Leaders in services
6.4
We will avoid travelling to meetings where alternatives are practical, where
not we’ll schedule to avoid multiple journeys or use teleconferencing/Skype.
6.5
We will maximise the use of electronic data, minimise the use of paper and
when paper is used, circulate information (rather than copying to individuals)
7.
Economic
7.1
Minimise our use of paper and other office consumables, double side
all paper produced
7.2
Re-cycle wherever possible
7.3
Seek to purchase the most energy efficient equipment to reduce energy
cost and consumption
7.4
Seek to purchase all items for office use from suppliers committed to
sustainability
7.5
Seek to purchase fair-trade food and beverages for office use to continuously
seek out and replicate innovative sustainability best practice
8.
Social
8.1
We will consciously strive to be recognised as good corporate citizens. We
will actively encourage the people we support and our staff to recognise the
value of community participation and contribution
8.2
We will seek ways to assure our commissioners that Options is a safe,
efficient, reliable and sustainable provider of support services
Approved date: May 2013
Review date: April 2015
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Options for Supported Living
PP 21
8.3
We will act as good neighbours in the neighbourhoods where we provide
support and to ensure the wider communities experience of Options is a
positive one
8.4
Whenever possible we will use local suppliers and businesses when making
purchasing decisions
9.
Conclusion
9.1
Options seeks in all aspects of our work to do so ethically and to preserve
the planet for future generations. We commit to constantly working to
ensure this is achieved.
Leadership Team May 2013
Approved date: May 2013
Review date: April 2015
Page 4 of 4