Environmental Management & Sustainability Policy
Introduction
Gloucestershire Counselling Service is committed to complying with all relevant environmental legislation and, where practicable, to minimising any adverse environmental impacts which may result from our operations.
At Gloucestershire Counselling Service we recognise that our activities have an effect on the local, regional and global environment. Our approach is to contribute to efforts to bring about change in society, communities, groups and individuals. This includes positive change around any impact we have on environmental issues.
We will encourage our service users, suppliers and business associates to share our approach. We intend to:
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Identify and address the direct environmental impacts of our operations.
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Work to reduce our waste and then reuse or recycle as much as possible.
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Comply with, or exceed, the requirements of current environmental legislation and associated codes of practice.
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Actively manage our energy and water use to improve efficiency.
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Promote a culture of environmental awareness among our staff and volunteers, encouraging them to conduct their activities in an environmentally aware manner.
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As far as is reasonably practicable, purchase products and services that do the least damage to the environment and encourage others to do the same.
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As part of our commitment to achieve these objectives Gloucestershire Counselling Service intends to:
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Allocate sufficient resources to ensure effective implementation of designated activities and plans.
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Review our approach on a regular basis to take account of new developments in environmental management, legislation, and stakeholder expectations.
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The implementation of this Environmental Policy will be coordinated by the Gloucestershire Counselling Service CEO and Senior Leadership Team (SLT).
Responsibilities of the Senior Leadership Team
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Actively promote a positive environmental sustainability culture.
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Take timely action to address environmental issues.
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Agree required action and future objectives.
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Manage environmental sustainability effectively within their functional area of responsibility, including the provision of adequate resources.
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Ensure that all persons under their area of control comply with all relevant procedures. Take appropriate action as necessary when deficiencies are identified.
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Ensure good housekeeping standards are maintained in the areas for which they have a responsibility.
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Undertake regular inspections and monitoring activities within their area.
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Ensure any incident which has an environmental impact is immediately reported in accordance with Gloucestershire Counselling Service procedures.
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Report on all matters concerning environmental management to their line manager and regularly discuss related issues with employees for whom they are responsible.
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Identify training needs and ensure there are suitable, sufficient and appropriate information, instruction and training materials available to reflect the tasks undertaken by staff, volunteers and others.
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Monitor and review environmental performance.
Staff and Volunteers
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Comply with all environmental management procedures and all reasonable management requests, in respect of this policy.
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Not intentionally or recklessly interfere with or misusing any item, system or procedure provided for the implementation of the Environmental Management Policy.
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Take reasonable care of themselves, fellow employees and volunteers and anyone else who may be affected by their acts or omissions.
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Ensure any incident which has an environmental impact is immediately reported in accordance with Gloucestershire Counselling Service procedures.
Environmental Management Plan
The focus will be on the aspects of our activities that we can control, including:
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Identify and address the direct environmental impacts of our operations.
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Work to reduce our waste and then reuse or recycle as much as possible. Recycling will be actively promoted amongst staff, volunteers, service users and suppliers. We will work with Local Authorities and other partners in local re-cycling initiatives (paper and other recyclable materials) where possible.
Approach to Consumption
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Water: We will work to reduce the consumption of water within our buildings and promote water saving behaviours.
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Electricity: We will identify how we use electricity and make use of available methods of optimising electricity consumption, to include power-save settings, energy efficient equipment procurement and use.
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Gas: We will maintain our existing installations and equipment in accordance with gas safety legislation, aim for maximum efficiency of gas consumption and review like-for-like replacement of defective gas installations and equipment on a case-by-case basis.
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We will encourage the use of sustainable transport, car sharing and public transport where possible for business travel and promote the use of audio, video and web conferencing facilities as an alternative to travelling long distances for meetings.
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As far as is reasonably practicable, purchase products and services that do the least damage to the environment and encourage others to do the same. A range of low environmental impact alternatives for office supplies and equipment will be explored and, where practicable, introduced. These will include items such as envelopes, paper, disposable pens, cleaning chemicals, hand towels, lighting units, IT equipment etc.