Environmental Policy

Introduction

Meridian Wellbeing recognises that all of its activities have environmental impacts. It aims to minimise these impacts as far as possible in all areas of its operation. It aims to meet our local Council’s environmental policy and also complies with all relevant environmental legislation and regulations, as well as applicable national and international standards. It has a long-standing environmental strategy and annual plan that works to achieve this. This policy has also been adopted by Wellbeing Together CIC and Multi-lingual Wellbeing Services, to cover their operations. These organisations monitor and review it annually through their own governance mechanisms.

Managing sustainable working

The Chief Executive has overall responsibility for managing and implementing the organisation’s environmental strategy and action policy, under the overall supervision of the Board of Directors. The strategy itself is developed and reviewed by a working group including trustees, staff, volunteers and users. All staff receive appropriate training and supervision, enabling them to follow procedures for achieving environmental targets. Meridian Wellbeing’s Chief Executive and the senior management team monitor and evaluate progress against the annual action plan, and are responsible to the Board for continued development and annual review of this policy. Staff, users and other organisational stakeholders are kept fully informed and co-opted to assist in this work as necessary. The ways by which the organisation delivers services in a sustainable way are discussed in turn below.

Sustainable purchasing

Meridian Wellbeing recognises that there are environmental, ethical and social components to sustainable development for which organisations should be accountable. Meridian Wellbeing therefore operates a comprehensive sustainable procurement policy which aims to minimise the consumption of non-renewable resources, eliminate waste, maximise re-use and recycling, and use goods and services which are least harmful to the environment and human development.

Overall responsibility is vested with Meridian Wellbeing’s Chief Executive. The sustainable procurement policy contains the following practices:

• Staff are required to regularly assesses all material activities and where appropriate respond with a programme of environmental and social improvement.

• Staff should also purchase whenever practical, materials and substances which are the least harmful to the human health, environment and future generations.

• Reduce the purchasing of new products by cutting down on waste and repairing or reusing existing products.

• Specify products which are made of recycled materials; can be recycled or reused; can be operated in an energy efficient manner without wasting water

• Provide the Best Practicable Environmental Option (BPEO) in terms of their production, distribution, transportation, use and disposal, so long as the requirements of value for money and quality are met.

• Use locally produced goods and services wherever possible that might meet the organisation’s needs.

• Use 'Fair Trade' and ‘Buy Recycled’ type goods wherever possible to meet Meridian Wellbeing needs.

• Consider value for money in terms of durability, maintenance, running costs, and disposal costs rather than simply the initial purchase price.

• Use locally produced goods and services wherever possible that might meet the organisation’s needs.

• Use 'Fair Trade' and ‘Buy Recycled’ type goods wherever possible to meet Meridian Wellbeing needs.

• Ban the use of certain specified environmentally damaging products where the alternative product or method is suitable and available.

• Purchase environmentally friendly products such as E-Cover cleaning products in bulk and refill.

• Introduce an annual stationery amnesty to collect any unused materials.

• Keep a central resource at all sites of re-usable envelopes.

• Include minimum standards expected of external suppliers as part of the Environmental Policy, and ensure that this is communicated to all staff.

• Work with suppliers and partners who can make a positive contribution to our pursuit of sustainable development.

Waste production

European Union environmental legislation means that central and local government is under pressure to reduce the level of waste going to landfill. Meridian Wellbeing recognises the importance of contributing to these, and works hard to reduce its waste wherever possible. It does this in the following ways:

• Creating a central scrap paper bin for non-confidential paper that has been printed on one side.

• The organisation is currently rolling out a ‘green’ signature to emails to discourage unnecessary printing.

• Set the printers and photocopiers to print double-sided by default.

• Developing a central resource for sharing large printed documents.

Use of materials

Meridian Wellbeing has a comprehensive recycling scheme in place for the majority of waste products. In order to make the recycling system more successful, and to increase staff awareness of its importance, the following is carried out:

• Removing waste paper bins from staff desks and replace with larger central recycling bins

• Placing recycling posters above bins and around office to raise awareness.

• Introducing a weekly Recycling Rota in all units.

• Donate redundant but functioning IT equipment to a local school/ In Kind Direct. Safe disposal of damaged IT equipment.

• Recycling furniture by donating it to small charities.

• Purchase and use of environmentally friendly and/or biodegradable consumable items instead of single use plastics

Energy conservation

In line with local Council’s environmental policy, Meridian Wellbeing recognises that high levels of energy use will lead to increased carbon footprint and impact on global climate. Therefore, the organisation actively aims to reduce its energy usage and does this in the following ways:

• Using energy saving switches for equipment that is left on overnight.

• Recycling used needles

• Computers and other equipment are switched off when not in use.

• Using posters to remind the last person to leave the building to switch off lights and equipment.

• Using low energy light bulbs and boilers.

• Fabric First approach through the use of energy efficient, low-U Value replacement windows

• Reduce the thermostat and minimise use of heating whilst maintaining comfort

Conserving water

Meridian Wellbeing recognises the importance of saving water particularly as forecasted environmental changes begin to make an impact. The organisation carries this out in the following  ways:

• Placing HIPPO’s in cisterns to reduce the volume of water used for each flush

• Providing a quick response to leaks

• Use of aerators to reduce the flow of water from taps

• Encouraging use of showers rather than baths

Minimising transport

In line with local Council’s work in encouraging sustainable transport, Meridian Wellbeing aims to minimise its use of transport or use public means where possible. It will achieve this in the following ways:

• Use public transport and ‘green’ taxis where applicable.

• Use cycle couriers where applicable and install cycle racks where possible at all locations.

• Encourage staff to work from home where applicable and agreed with line manager.

• Encourage the use of public transport where possible, or carpooling when public transport is not possible

• The organisation is currently in the process of joining the ride to work scheme.

• Interest-free season ticket loans are available to all staff and essential car user allowance are no longer available.