We are committed to minimising the impact of our business on the environment through responsible management of our buildings, minimising waste and recycling wherever practical.
Energy management
We regularly monitor energy usage and encourage staff to reduce consumption, for example by turning equipment off overnight and at weekends. Where practical we have installed motion detector switching for lights, and where this is not the case, have management procedures in place to ensure that lights are not left on overnight.
Waste and recycling
We operate a sophisticated electronic document management system that reduces the need for paper copies and where print is necessary our printers are set to default to double-sided printing.
Paper used within our printers and copiers is all either recycled or from sustainable sources, and printer cartridges are returned to suppliers for refilling and recycling.
We have a number of initiatives underway to ensure that we recycle as much waste as possible, with the vast majority of office waste being recycled. (Confidential waste is shredded and then recycled)
Where it is safe to do so, we offer excess computer equipment and furniture to charities for their use and mobile phones are recycled using a specialist charity.
Procurement
All suppliers to the firm are assessed in a range of areas to ensure that they meet the high standards we require of them. This includes requesting details of environmental policies within tenders and giving preference to the use of environmental products where practical, for example in cleaning contracts.
The office environment
During the fit out of 15 Fetter Lane – our main London office and the one used by clients - we implemented a number of policies which support our Environmental policy stance, including:
- Waste management – We looked to maximise the opportunity to recycle as much material as was reasonably practicable from waste produced during our works. We employed the services of a fully licensed waste management contractor (Waste File) that sorted and re-processed all of the waste rather than waste disposal contractors.
- Efficient use of resources – We ensured the efficient use of resources and control of waste by increasing the use of recycled materials, and wherever possible using materials with an increased product lifetime. One example is the specification of recyclable laminate materials over natural wood in all tea-points and service point areas.
- Natural Materials – Where the use of natural materials has been unavoidable, we ensured that all specified materials, such as wood, were sourced from fully sustainable forests. This approach was strictly adopted by all sub-contractors.
- Air-conditioning – Within the air-conditioning modifications and enhancements made during our project, we worked within European legislation guidelines by ensuring that the refrigerant used within our installation is R410A. This is as an ozone friendly alternative to other alternative products.
- Electrical – The electrical installation has been designed and implemented to fully conform to L2B of the current building regulations, so that the installation is as energy efficient as is practically possible within the environment. This includes local switching within all meeting rooms and (Passive Infra Red) PIR switching within the open plan offices and circulation areas.
- Interior design – The new working environment was designed to conform to all relevant building and fire regulations. This also incorporates full D.D.A. compliance which ensures that any disabled visitors to the offices are well received and catered for. This includes a dedicated tea point sink facility.
- Room water - We have installed a water bottling machine to allow still and sparking water to be bottled on site allowing us to wash and re-use bottles rather than continually buying new bottles. This saves glass and reduces transportation.
Travel
The firm enforces a travel policy aimed at best value and regard for the environment. The policy emphasises:
- the need to keep travel to an absolute minimum
- where possible the use of rail in preference to air travel
- the use of public transport where practical and safe
- the use of our in-house video and audio conferencing facilities in preference to travel.