Name of Organisation
Environmental Policy
---------------- recognises and understands the importance of protecting the environment.
We are therefore committed to continual improvement in our environmental performance,
prevention of pollution, and minimising adverse environmental impacts where reasonably
practicable.
We will demonstrate our commitment by:
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reviewing and understanding the range of impacts arising from our activities;
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ensuring that we comply with and, where possible, exceed all applicable UK,
European and international environmental legislation and any other environmental
requirements to which we subscribe;
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setting environmental objectives and targets for our most significant impacts and
defining the means of achieving them to improve our environmental management
and performance;
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reducing energy and resource consumption by implementing effective and efficient
reduction methods consistent with best practice;
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influencing and managing our suppliers and contractors to ensure that goods
procured and services undertaken comply with our environmental policy;
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developing green travel plans for travel on Community Association business, and
encouraging staff and volunteers to adopt greener travel practices;
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minimising the use of toxic and environmentally damaging materials and preventing
the release of pollutants;
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minimising the generation of waste and implementing recycling initiatives;
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ensuring that the policy is understood, implemented and maintained within the
Association and is supported by the provision of information and suitable education
and training;
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openly communicating our progress towards addressing environmental impacts to
interested internal and external parties and responding appropriately to reasonable
requests for information;
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periodically reviewing the policy to take account of changes in organisation,
legislation, government targets or other internal and external factors.
Policy Aims
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reducing resources consumed and waste produced by the Association
reducing the amount of water and energy consumed and pollution produced
through the operation of the Community Centre
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buying goods and services which minimise environmental impacts
increasing the amount of waste we recycle or re-use
promoting the efficient use of transport for travel on Community Association
business.
Policy Objectives
1. Waste
Tackle waste by following three simple steps:
Reduce: eliminate waste before it is created by only buying what you need.
Re-use: where possible, find alternative uses for goods, equipment and furniture, or
use durable rather than disposable items.
Recycle: paper and cardboard, glass, metal, toner and printer cartridges, computer
equipment and furniture.
Measure it, then manage it
Carry out a waste audit in the centre to help identify areas where most waste is
produced and what types of waste are being generated. The audit will provide ideas
on how to start tackling the problem.
Making a start
Encourage users to:
Always use both sides of paper. Set printers and photocopiers to copy double-sided
as default.
Re-use envelopes for internal mailings.
Use designated containers to collect part-used waste paper. This can then be fed
back through faxes/printers, made into notepads or used for rough working.
Send used paper for recycling where possible.
Reduce the circulation of printed documents by using e-mail wherever possible, or
attaching a circulation list to single copies.
Use waste paper assembled into notepads, rather than 'post-it' notes.
2. Energy
Provide information for all users on the efficient operation of the heating system and
heating controls
Make sure that the heating system is switched off or reduced when building not in
use
Turn down thermostats instead of opening windows
Maintain plant and equipment properly
Ensure that lights and other equipment are switched off when rooms are not in use
Ask all building users to ensure all lights are switched off when the building is not in
use
IT equipment:
Ensure all users switch off office equipment when not in use.
If PCs are to be left on all day, switch off the monitor when away from your desk for
long periods of time (e.g. during meetings, lunchtimes, etc.); the monitor alone
consumes over two-thirds of the total amount of energy used by a PC
Consider replacing conventional PC monitors with flat screens; not only do they
take up less desk space, they also use between twenty-five to sixty-five per cent
less energy; flat screens also generate far less heat that conventional monitors,
offering further energy savings on temperature control.
Lighting:
Replace standard bulbs with low-energy bulbs as part of a continuing maintenance
programme
Install localised light switches to enable staff to switch lighting on/off as required
Make the most of natural light by keeping windows clean and free of obstructions
Run a 'switch-off' campaign in your office, and dispel the myth that it takes more
energy to switch fluorescent lights and computers on and off than it does to leave
them running.
3. Water
Using less water in the Community Centre
Consider installing low/dual capacity toilet cisterns, push-top taps and automatic
flushing urinals as part of your overall maintenance programme, or when a
renovation is being planned.
Avoid washing crockery and cutlery under running taps.
Plant grounds with indigenous plants used to the local conditions. Avoid plants that
require excessive watering.
Consider installing a 'rainwater harvesting' system to collect rainwater for use in
watering grounds.
4. Procurement
When buying replacement equipment such as printers, photocopiers and fax
machines, choose duplex models that will automatically print on both sides of the
paper at sufficiently fast speeds (circa 32 pages per minute (ppm) for photocopiers,
17 ppm for printers); ensure all machines have the capacity to handle recycled
paper comprising one hundred per cent post-consumer waste
Choose models which have low energy use and an energy saving facility (e.g. the
US Energy Star or EU Eco-label rated machines); ask your supplier to enable these
facilities before equipment is delivered
Repair equipment before replacement; plan your long-term maintenance needs for
repairs, servicing and electrical appliance testing - this should be done on an annual
basis; this will extend the useful lifetime of your office equipment
Consider introducing an 'Environmental disposals policy' for the appropriate
disposal of obsolete office machinery, furniture and stationery; in many countries
there are organisations and charities which will accept unwanted items which are
then renovated and re-used
Ask suppliers to use recycled or re-useable packaging
Buy furniture made from natural products such as wood which carries the Forestry
Stewardship Council label.
Closing the loop
This means buying recycled goods, thus 'closing the loop' between buying new
items, and recycling them. Only by buying recycled goods can the drain on our
limited natural resources be reduced. One good example of this is buying recycled
paper (not just paper which is labelled 'environmentally friendly' - which can mean
anything). Many suppliers and printers now provide high grades of recycled paper
suitable for most applications.
Choose chlorine-free papers with a post-consumer waste content, rather than postindustrial mill waste to maximise environmental benefits. Ask suppliers to provide
evidence of the ABCD rating of recycled paper to show the origin of the waste. A
large range of recycled stationery items is now widely available including fax paper,
files, document wallets, flip chart pads and storage boxes. Also, buying refillable
pens, water-based markers and avoiding disposable desk items will minimise waste
and reduce costs.
5. Recycling
Set up systems for recycling the materials listed below, in conjunction with
Gateshead Council where appropriate, and make these known to building users.
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paper
ink/toner cartridges
PCs and PC peripherals
drinks cans
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batteries
cardboard
mobile phones
fluorescent tubes
glass
furniture
6. Transport
Encourage users and volunteers to use public transport, where possible and
practicable, for travel on Community Association business.
Encourage staff and volunteers to walk/cycle to the Centre.
Encourage car sharing, either informally or through an organised scheme.
Improving the environmental performance of vehicles
Recommend to staff, volunteers and building users to:
Plan ahead - choose uncongested routes, combine trips and car share.
Cold starts - drive off as soon as possible after starting.
Drive smoothly and efficiently - harsh acceleration and heavy braking have a very
significant effect on fuel consumption; driving more smoothly saves fuel.
Slow down - driving at high speeds significantly increases fuel consumption.
Use higher gears, as soon as traffic conditions allow.
Switch off - sitting stationary is zero miles per gallon; switch off the engine
whenever it is safe to do so.
Don't carry unnecessary weight; remove roof racks when not in use.
Regular servicing helps keep the engine at best efficiency.
Make sure that tyres are inflated to the correct pressure for the vehicle.
Do not compromise safety but be aware that the use of on-board electrical devices
increases fuel consumption.
Check your fuel consumption - it will help you get the most from the car; changes in
overall fuel consumption may indicate a fault.
Use air-conditioning sparingly - running air-conditioning continuously will increase
fuel consumption significantly.