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our sustainability policy
Due to an ever-improving understanding of the nature of sustainability, this document will be reviewed quarterly in order to ensure that we remain ahead of the curve.
It is essential to note that we adhere strongly to the view that sustainability is a Triple Bottom Line issue.
The company's policies and practices, therefore, will reflect the optimum social, environmental and financial sustainability pathway at any given point in time, and in every instance.
We do not consider our policy to be perfect, and are open to constructive feedback on this document in order to bring it into line with our intention to meaningfully contribute towards a happier, healthier, more sustainable world for all.
Given that we are imperfect people living in an imperfect world, any divergence from this policy is covered under the twin monicums of 'wherever possible' and 'whenever possible'.
For instance: 'whenever possible, we will encourage our clients, partners and suppliers to communicate via phone, email and web chat in order to minimise unnecessary travel.' Clearly there are instances where an adherence to this policy might have undesired social or financial consequences.
Are we a Carbon Neutral Company?
By any reaonably defineable standards, nuovon is carbon neutral - however, we do not subscribe to any carbon-neutrality programs, and this is deliberately so.
The one notable exception to this policy relates to air travel - flights will always be offset.
Whilst 'going carbon neutral' is very much a marketing proposition for many companies, we are not convcined that engaging in carbon trading is the most useful way to approach sustainability.
Carbon trading, by its very nature, still involves the use of carbon - offsetting one's own usage against initiatives to combat this usage.
The website www.cheatneutral.com lays out a compellling case for the absurdity of buying credits to offset detrimental activity.
As a company, we minimise our impacts as much as practicable by following the sustainability principals laid out below.
TRANSPORT
- minimise unnecessary travel
- encourage all staff to utilise the following methods to commute to work [in order of preference]
- walk
- cycle
- public transport
- motor vehicle
- offset all air travel with carbon credits and wherever possible fly at the busiest times to maximise the efficiencies of fuel in use on any given flight
- where rental vehicles are required, give a preference to hybrid or diesel options, or subscribe to the local car sharing network; utilise rental companies that provide an offset option, and make use of this option
- encourage clients, suppliers and contractors to meet via video and web conferencing to minimise travel requirements
- encourage staff, contractors, suppliers and clients to engage in local recreation, and support local cultural endeavours
IT
- always purchase the right tool for the job – for both now and the foreseeable future - thus preventing wastage at the point of purchase
- purchase easily self-upgradeable hardware - preventingthe need for maintenance related travel
- minimise the number of components in use within all hardware [the more components, the more power drain]
- utilise power saving options on all hardware at the most aggressive level
- ensure servers are maintained in a naturally cool environment to minimise fan cooling of cpu
- purchase software online, and download as .exe files to minimise expenses and energy use associated with pressing, packaging and posting cd's
- utilise fax-to-email software to minimise paper use
- utilise virtual-private-networks to support staff and partners in accessing company infrastructure without the need to attend the office
- openly encourage the use of open-source software both internally and by our clients and suppliers
- limit purchases of new technology – purchase reconditioned ex-govt hardware when appropriate
- utilise USB powered peripherals
- eliminate the trend-driven perceived necessity for 'sexy' hardware and focus on technology that meets the above criteria
STATIONERY
- all company stationery to be printed on sustainable paper stocks, with sustainable inks, by printers with sustainable credentials
- encourage all clients, contractors and suppliers to follow the same protocols
- purchase office supplies in bulk to minimse associated packaging
TELEPHONY
- utilise sophisticated IP Telephony network to maximise employee efficiency, as well as minimise costs associated to remote staff
- utilise 'smart phones' that double as portable pc's - limiting our need to access other networks and place drains on external infrastucture
POWER
- install energy efficient lightglobes in all lights
- utilise natural lighting as much as possible during the day
- utilise breezes through open doorways and windows to minimise the need for power fans
- never install air-conditioning [in our current office location – it is unnecessary]
- power off all non-essential equipment at the socket at the conclusion of the work day
- maintain minimum required water temperature on heater to minimise unnecessary power usage
RECYCLING
- maintain an awareness of the principals of waste minimisation
- rethink
- reduce
- reuse
- recycle
- reuse all paper within the office as many times as possible
- make use of discarded paper in the garden as mulch as a preference to recycling
GREEN WASTE
- dispose of all food scraps to the chickens and bury anything else not suitable for consumption
- use grass clippings for ground cover in chicken pen
WATER
- install water saving devices on office shower
- plant only climate appropriate plants in office surrounds
- use interior plants to maintain clean air, and offset electro-magnetic radiation effects for staff
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