Thomas Cole Ltd provides IT, web development, marketing and e-commerce services.  The nature of our business means that we do not have a major impact on the environment when compared to traditional manufacturing industries.  However, as part of Thomas Cole’s commitment to our customers and the general public, the directors are committed to reducing the impacts of the business.

In order to translate these environmental beliefs into business practice, a programme of awareness and good practice will be undertaken and maintained.  Specifically, we the business and the Director (dedicated person responsible for implementation of the policy within the business) shall:

• Strive to continually improve environmental performance by recycling waste paper, plastic bottles and toner cartridges so to reduce the tonnage sent to landfill.

• Prevent pollution of land and water by ensuring that our hazardous (electrical equipment) waste is treated and disposed of by a competent authority.

• Reduce emissions to air by co-ordinating vehicle journals, car-sharing and conducting periodic vehicle efficiency checks.

• Comply with all environmental legislation affecting our business and aim to meet and exceed any environmental benchmarks as may be demanded by customers or produced by the Environment Agency.

• Raise staff awareness of their individual and collective environmental responsibilities; with a key member of the production staff being assigned the role of ‘Environmental Co-ordinator’. The individual will be responsible for environmental matters within the business and to facilitate the transfer of best practice to other employees.

• Develop, maintain and review a register of environmental legislation and good practice; creating a designated ‘environmental file’ to ensure legal compliance.  To aid this, we subscribe to Business Link’s and the Chamber of Commerce’s environmental services.

• Seek to publicise our environmental performance by providing information to employees, stakeholders and the general public. This information shall be provided in the Company’s literature and fliers, and be relevant to the target audience.

• Review and update this policy on at least an annual basis, or as appropriate to reflect the business’s changing requirements.

The policy is available to all members of staff and the public; through our website, reception areas or as may otherwise be reasonably requested.

This policy has been written in association with the Centre for Waste Management at the University of Central Lancashire, Preston.