Environmental Management

As a business we recognise our responsibility to minimise our impact on the environment. To achieve this we also look to our personnel for their commitment and support — we are all in this together.

All our environmental impact reduction activities that we have undertaken have now been drawn together into our Environmental Action Plan.

The major activities within our Environmental Action Plan are:

Education and enlightenment - We have introduced a green page to our bi-monthly corporate newsletter discussing the latest environmental information and technological advances available and the action that everyone here at Haslers can take to protect and conserve the environment.

Energy efficiency — We have installed low energy lighting and an energy efficient air-conditioning/heating system throughout our entire building and all personnel are encouraged to switch off lights, IT equipment and photocopiers when not in use or required.

Reducing Paper Usage — We have implemented a number of initiatives to help reduce our paper usage including purchasing printers and photocopiers that are capable of duplex printing and encouraging staff wherever possible to utilise this facility.

We have also introduced a digital data storage facility which has significantly reduced the amount of paperwork that needs to be produced. Not only that but by digitally archiving all or paperwork we have created additional workstation areas in most of our departments.

We also encourage staff to use electronic communications whenever practicable and to assist with this we have installed an e-mail login facility on our website that enables staff to access and use our e-mail system remotely when not in the office. We have also developed a virtual private network enabling staff to access fully the firm´s network and software programmes from any PC console in the world with an internet connection. This has greatly improved the ability for personnel to not only work from home but to also to reduce their need to travel into work specifically to access paperwork.

Transport - We encourage our staff and partners alike to take public transport whenever possible to work and, where practicable, to off-site meetings. We also encourage them to run, cycle and walk to work and gererally exercise so we have installed changing room and shower facilities.

Recycling Scheme — we operate a comprehensive recycling scheme across the firm which currently includes:

• Plastic Bags Recycling Scheme - bins are strategically located around all office areas and staff are encouraged to dispose of their plastic bags in them for recycling.
  
• Toner Cartridge Recycling Scheme — 100% of our toner cartridges are recycled. The Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation collects and then sells them on to remanufacturers who recondition and refill the product to sell to consumers as an environmentally friendly option.
  
• Confidential Waste Paper and cardboard recycling scheme — all our staff´s desk bins are for paper only, all of which is confidentially destroyed in the first instance and then recycled. Note: Over the course of a year we currently recycle approximately 1100 litres of paper per week (57,200 litres per year) which equates to 12 tonnes of paper per year. To put this into visual terms we are saving 204 adult, mature trees being destroyed on an annual basis, saving 84,000 gallons of water, using 50,400 kwph less electricity and reducing emissions of carbon dioxide by 240 lbs and nitrogen by 480 lbs.
  
• Plastic cup recycling scheme — staff and visitors to our building are encouraged to place their used plastic cups in specially designed recycling units that are collected and recycled into pencils.

Wildlife Conservation - We actively seek volunteers at all levels and arrange opportunities for them to take part in conservation projects in Epping Forest.

Haslers Carbon Footprint

We cannot say as yet that we operate a carbon neutral business but we are definitely working towards it. Everyone has to start somewhere, and the key is to start and not look at it as an impossible feat. We believe though we are making good progress and with the help of our workforce and suppliers hope to one day make it a reality.