The Society recognises that we have a responsibility to the environment beyond legal and regulatory requirements. We are committed to reducing our environmental impact and continually improving our environmental performance as an integral part of our organisation. We will encourage our members, our suppliers, and other stakeholders to do the same.
Our approach to environmental matters
We endeavour to:
- Continually improve and monitor our environmental performance
- Continually improve and reduce environmental impacts
- Incorporate environmental factors into business decisions
- Increase employee awareness and training
Paper
We will:
- Minimise the use of paper in the office
- Reduce packaging as much as possible
- Seek to buy recycled and recyclable paper products
- Reuse and recycle all paper where possible
Plastic
We will:
- Aim to eliminate single use plastics in the office
- Where plastics are used, we will recycle everything possible
- Ensure computer equipment is appropriately recycled/reused
Energy and water
We will seek to:
- Reduce the amount of energy used as much as possible
- Switch off lights and electrical equipment when not in use
- Adjust heating with energy consumption in mind
- Take energy consumption and efficiency of new products into account when purchasing them
Office Supplies
We will:
- Evaluate if the need can be met in another way
- Evaluate if renting or sharing is an option before purchasing equipment
- Evaluate the environmental impact of any new products we intend to purchase
- Favour more environmentally friendly and efficient products wherever possible
- Reuse and recycle everything we are able to
Transportation
We will:
- Reduce the need to travel, restricting to necessary trips only
- Promote the use of travel alternatives, such as email or video conferences
- Make additional efforts to accommodate the needs of those using public transport or bicycles
Maintenance and cleaning
We will:
- Use cleaning materials that are as environmentally friendly as possible
- Use materials in any office refurbishment that are as environmentally friendly as possible
- Only use licensed and appropriate organisations to dispose of waste
Monitoring and improvement
We will:
- Comply with all relevant regulatory requirements
- Continually improve and monitor environmental performance
- Continually improve and reduce environmental impacts
- Incorporate environmental factors into business decisions
- Increase employee awareness through training
- Review this policy and any related business issues on a quarterly basis
Culture
We will:
- Update this policy at least once annually in consultation with staff and other stakeholders where necessary
- Involve staff in the implementation of this policy, for greater commitment and improved performance
- Appoint an Environmental Champion to oversee the implementation of this policy and ensure it is being adhered to
- Provide staff with relevant environmental training
- Work with suppliers, contractors, and subcontractors to improve their environmental performance
- Use local labour and materials where available, to reduce CO2 and help the community.