Ross and Roberts Ltd - Civil Enforcement Agents
Company Policies
Environmental Policy
Ross and Roberts recognise that our operations have an effect on the area and global environment.
This document sets out the company’s policy on environmental issues. It is a working document and issued to all members of staff. We have undertaken to communicate this policy to all staff in their day to day work through general dialogue of objectives, action plans and achievements.
The company and its management are committed to a policy of compliance with all statutory and legislative obligations affecting environmental pollution, recycling and waste management.
As part of our continual drive for quality in all things we do we have developed a comprehensive policy statement which will enable us to set targets by which our efforts towards sustainable environment improvement can be measured and monitored on a regular basis.
In particular Ross and Roberts will:
- not handle, keep, store or produce waste other than standard office waste;
- promote recycling and the use of recycled materials, while reducing consumption of materials whenever possible.
- ensure waste paper is kept separate and contains no contaminate or pollutant requiring additional environmental disposal.
- ensure photocopier, fax and printer cartridges are recycled and disposed of separately through an authorised recycling source.
- be committed to reducing waste where possible and recycling all items of stationery where practicable. It has a commitment to continual improvement and prevention of pollution.
- include environmental issues in our training programmes and encourage the implementation by all staff of sound environmental practices,
- through coordinating route planning the company seeks to realise the dual benefits of reduced fuel consumption and lower exhaust emissions.
- will work with our suppliers to ensure they recognise and reduce the environmental impact of their products and transportation.
Whenever the company is involved in a situation that may require our involvement in handling or removing anything that may be of concern environmentally we undertake to pursue and act upon advice from appropriate external agencies or organisations.
The office premises belonging to the company are on mains water and drains, and pay the appropriate water rates for waste disposal and provision of water.
The policy is reviewed annually, together with conducting an annual self evaluation of our performance in implementing these principles and in complying with all applicable laws and regulations.
Environmental Purchasing Policy
The objective of the Environmental Purchasing Policy is to ensure that staff involved in the procurement of goods and services throughout the Company use environmental responsibility as a factor in their purchasing decisions.
The main ways that they can do this are:
- Ask first if this purchase is really necessary (reduce consumption);
- Consider 'whole life' costs and impacts when assessing equipment for purchase;
- Wherever practical purchase goods and services which may be manufactured, used and disposed of in an environmentally responsible way;
- Where items are of a similar cost, try to give preference to those that are manufactured with a high recycled content;
- Wherever practical specify items that can be recycled or re-used;
- Wherever practical use suppliers that are committed to environmental improvement;
- Wherever practical work with the community at large to progress environmental initiatives and exchange best practice.
In particular purchasers should consider:
- Energy usage - including mains water and drainage water
- Waste minimisation and process efficiencies
- Re-use and recycling opportunities
- Waste disposal implications
- Avoidance of ozone depleting substances
- Reduction of volatile organic compounds
- Reduction of materials containing heavy metals
- Control of discharges to air, land and water
- Noise levels generated from plant and machinery
- 'Eco-Toxicity' of materials released to land, air and water
- Transport choice and pollution.
Periodically the company will:
- Carry out environmental assessment of the Company's major suppliers at tender.
- Monitor our major suppliers on an ongoing basis in regard to their environmental policies and practices.
- Attempt to shape or alter, where appropriate, the environmental policies of our Major Suppliers
- Wherever practical, arrange agreements that offer environmentally preferable products as alternatives.
- Provide training on environmental aspects of purchasing as required.
- Facilitate effective recycling arrangements across the Company
Environmentally Preferable Products
Environmentally preferable products are ones that are less harmful to human health and the environment when compared with competing products that serve the same purpose.
They should be:-
- Fit for the purpose and provide value for money
- Energy and resource efficient
- Minimum use of virgin materials
- Maximum use of post consumer materials
- Non (or reduced) polluting
- Durable, easily upgraded and repairable
- Reusable and recyclable.