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GROUP SUSTAINABILITY POLICY
An accepted definition of sustainable development is achieving economic growth, environmental protection and social progress at the same time. The DBS Group are aware of the impact of all its activities and the environment and on communities.
This Policy sets out our approach to managing and mitigating such impacts. Every project, operation or activity will as part of its management routines consider its impact on the environment and communities. These management routines are set up to be cost effective and sustainable.
DBS Group activities impact on the environment and communities through its:
The DBS Group will follow the principles of Reduce, Reuse, Repair, Recycle in managing its environmental impact. Through this policy we expect to not only minimise environmental impacts, but also to make sound economic sense. The DBS Group will comply with all relevant legislation
Supply Chain Employment Conditions
DBS Group will take reasonable steps to assess suppliers policies and practices and will not purchase goods or services from a supplier if supply chain employment conditions are found to be unacceptable. Unless there is an overwhelming case for meeting the urgent need.
Use of Energy in DBS Group Premises
The DBS Group seeks to reduce the amount of energy used within its premises. The largest energy stream in its premises is electricity used for manufacturing, lighting, heating and computers. The Group actively encourages staff participation with energy conservation measures, such as switching lights and equipment off when not needed, that can have significant impact on energy use. Energy surveys can identify where capital investment can provide cost effective returns by saving energy and money, for example installation of suitable building management systems to control heating, and lighting. The design of any new premises should be undertaken to minimise the use of scarce resources and energy during the design, construction and use of the premises.
Transport
The DBS Group manages the impact of business and commuter travel when considering road transport. By restricting car travel to necessity trips only and using car sharing or public transport (train) the Group can make savings in CO2 emissions and money. TheGroup manages its vehicles cost effectively to achieve lower emissions.
Use of Materials
TheGroup specifiers and purchasers will, where practical, investigate the materials and processes used to manufacture products. Where uses of scarce/non-renewable raw materials, harmful materials or high-energy consuming processes are evident they will refrain from purchasing those products wherever possible. If no cost effective alternatives can be found the Reduce, Reuse, Repair, Recycle principles will be used. Materials to be avoided include timber from non-managed forests, asbestos, VOCs, lead and PVC, (although much of the electronic equipent used in the industry employs the latter two without alternatives). TheGroup will discourage suppliers from using excess packaging.
Disposal of Waste
TheGroup will only use licensed carriers and appropriate organisations to dispose of its waste; will encourage the Reuse & Repair of products to avoid early disposal andwill encourage the segregation of waste and its disposal via recycling processes. Group specifiers and purchasers will, where practical, give preference to products that can be disassembled and recycled.
Relationships with Local Communities the DBS Group will endeavour to foster good relationships with local communities wherever it operates. This may include using local labour and materials. The Group will avoid causing nuisance to its neighbours by for example traffic or pollution, and by carefully tailoring its sound production.
Welfare
The Group will be a caring and responsible employer, host, and neighbour. The Group cares for the welfare of staff, visitors, neighbours and other stakeholders by complying with its policies on health & safety.
Management
The Group will pursue a policy to reduce its paper consumption through the use of further electronic distribution and manipulation technologies and reported on.
Date: January 2009 |
