Sustainable Development is defined as forms of progress that meet the needs of the present, without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.
Policy
Brass's policy is to conduct its business responsibly; with integrity and with respect for the interests of all those affected by our operations. We believe that our activities should generate economic benefits, create opportunities for an enhanced quality of life, respect the environment and be a positive influence on the communities in which we operate.
In particular, to deliver this policy we endorse the following principles. We will:
- Comply with all relevant laws and regulations and take any additional measures we consider necessary.
- Meet all the commitments in our Health and Safety and Environmental Policy. Conduct our business with integrity, respecting human rights wherever we are active, as set out in our Code of Conduct.
- Create a working environment for our employees which is based on mutual trust and respect, and in which diversity and inclusion are valued.
- Build long term relationships with our suppliers choosing as business partners those with standards and ethical practices compatible with our own.
- Be a role model and build long term partnerships, founded on trust and mutual advantage, within the communities in which we operate, and support our employees to be active in local communities.
- Communicate openly and actively encourage dialogue on all issues relevant to this policy.
- Provide appropriate training for our employees, and information for all who work with us, to facilitate implementation of this policy.
- Require everyone who works for Brass to live up to these commitments.
Responsibilities
The prime responsibility for sustainability rests with the Brass Board. Every employee has a personal responsibility to understand and live up to the commitments in this policy.
Every project, operation or activity will as part of its management routines consider its impact on the environment and communities. These management routines must be set up to be cost effective and sustainable.
Brass's activities impact on the environment and communities through its:
- Supply chains' employment conditions.
- Direct and indirect use of non-renewable carbon fuels in its buildings and for passenger and freight transport via road and air.
- Use of harmful materials or high energy consuming processes in the production of the items it purchases
- Disposal of waste products.
- Relationships with local communities where activities take place.
- Welfare of staff, visitors, volunteers, neighbours and other stakeholders.
- Brass will follow the principles of Reduce, Reuse, Repair, Recycle in managing its environmental impact.
- Using the 4Rs will not only minimise environmental impacts, it also makes sound economic sense.
- Brass will comply with all relevant legislation.
Supply Chain Purchasing Practices
Brass will use the tools within its Environmental Purchasing Policy to monitor and influence supply chain purchasing practices. Brass will take reasonable steps to assess suppliers' policies and practices and will not purchase goods or services from a supplier if supply chain practices are found to be unacceptable and there is no demonstrable improvement plan - unless there is an overwhelming case for meeting an urgent client need.
Use of Energy in Brahm's Premises
Brass seeks to reduce the amount of energy used within its premises. Brass's largest energy stream in the UK is electricity used for lighting and computers. Brass actively encourages staff participation with simple measures, such as switching lights and equipment off when not needed, that can have significant impact on energy use. Energy surveys can identify where capital investment can provide cost effective returns by saving energy and money, for example installation of suitable building management systems to control heating, ventilation and lighting. A change to our electricity contract means that the money we pay is invested in the development of renewable energy sources.
Transport
has to manage the impact of business and commuter travel when considering road transport. By restricting car travel to necessity trips only and using alternatives such as telephone conferencing or public transport (bus/train) Brass can make savings in CO2 emissions and money. Brass will cost effectively manage its car fleet to achieve lower emissions.
Use of Materials
Brass's purchasers will, where practical, investigate the materials and processes used to manufacture products. Where uses of scarce/non-renewable raw materials, harmful materials or high-energy consuming processes are evident they will refrain from purchasing those products wherever possible. If no cost effective alternatives can be found the Reduce, Reuse, Repair, Recycle principles will be used. Brass will discourage suppliers from using excess packaging.
Disposal of Waste
Brass will only use licensed and appropriate organisations to dispose of its waste. Brass will encourage the Reuse & Repair of products to avoid early disposal. Brass will encourage the segregation of waste and its disposal via recycling processes. Brass purchasers will where practical give preference to products that can be disassembled and recycled.
Relationships with Local Communities
Brass will endeavour to foster good relationships with local communities wherever it operates. This may include using local labour and materials or allowing Brass facilities to be used for community uses. Brass will avoid causing nuisance to its neighbours by for example noise, traffic or pollution. Brass will encourage communication between staff and local communities.
Welfare
Brass will be a caring and responsible employer, host and neighbour. Brass cares for the welfare of staff, visitors, volunteers, neighbours and other stakeholders by complying with its policies on health and safety, employment conditions and diversity.
Toner Cartridges
Used toner cartridges should be forwarded to Venetia Heaney who will arrange removal.
Surplus and Redundant Furniture
It is very expensive to dispose of furniture as rubbish so please try the following first:
Does anyone else within the building need the furniture for business use?
If not then arrange for collection by a number of charitable groups.
Mobile Phones
Company phones that are broken should be returned to a member of the Administration team. Personal phones can currently be returned to Car Phone Warehouse and/or Tesco's who both offer re-cycling facilities. We also have a facility for returning phones that will benefit the RNLI.
Computers and Computer Monitors
The company makes every effort to re-issue redundant IT equipment either through the selling to staff or to local schools. Unusable equipment will be returned under the WEEE directive.
- Better Waste Management in the Office Do a spell check before you print anything.
- Use email where possible - and avoid printing out unless essential.
- Use a circulation list and send fewer individual memos.
- Use the photocopiers efficiently - make use of the reduction facility to save on A3 and use the double sided facility to reduce copies by 50%.
- When printing off large documents use the double sided facility on the Aficio Printers to reduce copies by 50%
- When using the fax use A5 header paper to reduce transmission time by 50%.
- Re-use envelopes whenever possible, especially for internal use.
- Print draft copies on the reverse of used sheets.
- Make scrap pads from used paper.
- Put paper in recycling bins not the waste bin.
- Use reverse side of used sheets in our plain paper faxes.
- Re-use ring binders and arch lever files.