ENVIRONMENT

Reducing our impact on the environment

We are aware that we owe it to our customers, suppliers and staff to be a responsible organisation, and look after the environment in which we operate. It is important for a firm such as ours, which does not have a major environmental footprint, to structure its activities in a manner proportionate to the nature of our business.

Whilst we do not currently monitor our environmental impact as such, we are very much engaged in recycling and energy efficiency at all our sites. We have made encouraging progress in creating an effective recycling infrastructure, with recycling opportunities at all our UK sites. Paper, metals, plastics, printer cartridges and other waste are sorted into dedicated bins throughout the workplace and directed to recycling providers, minimising the amount of waste sent to landfill. In 2011 we introduced a paper cup recycling facility at one of our largest sites where previously 900 cups per day were sent to landfill.  Employees collected in excess of five sacks of Christmas cards, and were passed onto a recycling scheme that pledged to plant one tree for every 1,000 cards donated.

Where printed materials are used, we try to ensure we use sustainable supplies.  We have recently reviewed the paper used in our printers and photocopiers at two of our sites. We have moved to using papers that are Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification ('PEFC'), and Forest Stewardship Council ('FSC') sourced.  This in turn has allowed us to benefit from economies of scale and bulk buying discounts, and reduce the number of suppliers supplying similar products.

Following site moves all unusable stationery items were donated to local schools and nurseries and surplus fixtures and fittings were recycled.  Our new office site for Ignis in London has an excellent BREEAM rating, with its own environmental policy.  As tenants we are obliged to comply with this policy.

In October 2011, we held an Environmental Awareness Event, to highlight the 3 R's – Reduce, Re-use and Recycle. We gave staff the opportunity to make suggestions on how they believe we can further protect the environment in which we live and work.To read more about this Event, and the funds raised for the Woodland Trust, please view our media centre release.

At our Wythall site, we have planted a 14ft English Oak (Quercus Robur), which has become the symbol of our first Environmental Awareness Event. The Oak has long been synonymous with strength, size and longevity and will remind us of our responsibility to the environment.