Environmental Policy

INTRODUCTION

Nursing Solutions Limited is a key provider of Healthcare Service in the South West of England and Wales. As such it is aware of the need to establish and maintain good environmental practice.

This policy sets out the commitment of the agency in reducing any negative impact on the environment our working practices might have.

Nursing Solutions Limited is committed to reducing any environmental impact it might have by implementing the following.

Travel by Nursing Solutions staff

Ø  To minimise carbon emissions and other impacts by avoiding unnecessary business travel.

Ø  To minimise the impact of necessary staff business travel by maximising the use of public transport or sharing cars.

Office energy consumption

Ø  To minimise energy consumption:

Ø  Use low energy bulbs.

Ø  Ensure computer equipment is set to go to standby when left for a short period and equipment turned off at night where practical.

Ø  Install thermostat for heating, if practicable.

Ø  To minimise the impact of the energy used by supporting renewable energy sources:

Ø  As office equipment is replaced, purchase the most energy efficient equipment when compared with alternatives of a similar cost and performance.

Ø  Maximise the proportion of electricity used from renewable energy sources, whilst also supporting investment in new renewable energy schemes.

Ø  Develop target for the proportion of electricity from renewables and investment in new schemes.

Ø  Produce advice for employees.

Paper

To minimise paper use:

Ø  Total paper consumption per full time equivalent (FTE) will not increase.

Ø  Baseline for monitoring paper use to be established and paper use monitored.

Ø  To minimise the impacts of producing the paper used:

Ø  All direct paper consumption will be on 100% recycled paper.

Ø  50% of paper consumption through print orders will be on recycled paper.

Ø  All new printers to be capable of duplex printing.

Ø  Sending payslips, pay advice, newsletters, rota etc electronically.

Waste Generation

To minimise the amount of waste generated: 

Ø  All waste office paper and toner cartridges will be recycled.

Ø  All glass, cans and plastic bottles will be recycled.

Ø  To maximise the proportion of waste recycled:

Ø  All redundant office equipment will be sold or donated for reuse or recycled.

Ø  As office equipment is replaced, purchase the most resource efficient equipment (e.g. toner waste etc) compared with alternatives of a similar cost and performance.

To minimise office water use

As equipment is replaced, purchase the most water efficient equipment when compared with alternatives of a similar cost and performance.

Ø  Review measures that could be taken to reduce water use.

Ø  Produce advice for employees. 

Working environment 

Ø  To reduce the impact of emissions / toxins from office equipment

Ø  Create a healthy working environment – including having plants in the office.

Consumption of other products

Ø  To reduce the impact of beverages purchased and to support fair-trade:

Ø  All waste bags to be made from recycled and / or biodegradable plastic.

Ø  To reduce the impact of products purchased (including product miles):

Ø  Use re-used office equipment where practical.