20/08/2009 - -

Environmental Issues…

Yesterday I was responding to a set of questions being addressed by a journalist concerning the increased interest and awareness around recycling and waste reduction

1. Are more and more PAs and Management taking on environmental responsibilities as part of their role

In our experience that is definitely the case. Current legislation and Environmental policies have made it imperative that ALL staff are conscious of CSR and sustainability agendas.

2. How can we at GWO help?

We encourage the business sector (large corporates and SME’s) to utilise the free Giving World Online website facility to reduce landfill whilst at the same time helping their communities.

3. Current legislation or recommendations re recycling.

There are a number of EEC and UK legislation. The UK Government has developed its ‘Securing the Future’, strategy, part of which is as follows:

Government’s ‘Securing the Future’ strategy, Chapter 3:

‘…environmental impacts of our consumption and production patterns remain severe, and inefficient use of resources is a drag on the UK economy and businesses….We need a major shift to deliver new products and services with lower environmental impacts across their lifecycle… We need to build on people’s growing awareness of social and environmental concerns. Our strategy:    

•     improve resource efficiency and reduce waste across business sectors

•     a review of our waste strategy, with increased emphasis on reducing waste and making use of it as a resource.’

4. What are the benefits to both employer and employees?

The benefits to the corporate sector are:

Save money on storage and disposal costs

• Achieve corporate social responsibility goals
• Improve green credentials
• Achievement of global waste reduction and sustainability targets
• Reduced production of methane gas.  Landfill gas is created when waste in a landfill decomposes.  This gas is about 50% methane and 40% carbon dioxide.  These compounds contribute to the formation of ozone, a primary cause of smog and are also greenhouse gases contributing to global climate change.
• Naturally all this impacts beneficially on employees (raising awareness of waste reduction in the home) as ethical practice is coming more and more to the fore.
• Reduce waste to landfill

5. Our top tips for PAs and Management whose role includes environmental responsibilities?

Top tips for anyone with environmental responsibilities (though this will depend on the size of the business):

• Introduce waste management and recycling as a permanent part of meeting agendas
• Create a CSR policy
• Embed policy as a practical document to be implemented
• Involve all staff/team/department members as active participants in identifying surplus and waste that can be recycled
• Introduce separate bins for recyclable and non recyclables items
• Employees can hold new clothing collections which can be boxed for the homeless.
• Hold a stationary amnesty and donate it on the site.