With the help of Facilities, Production and IT departments, and a staff network of 40 green monitors, we have made real progress:
• We have switched to green energy with a new supplier, Scottish Southern.
• We use 100% recycled "9 Lives" paper in all black-and-white printers, which print double-sided.
• We are switching recycling companies to one that offers a comprehensive service that is easier and cheaper than our previous contractor. It takes used paper, newspapers, cut magazines, cardboard, CDs, toner cartridges, plastic, glass and aluminium containers.
• It does not have to be pre-sorted by staff, which appeals to the lazy.
We are being audited for the ISO9001 standard of environmental practice, with the aim of achieving the top level of ISO14001.
• We have changed our freight provider at COMAG to reduce the number of empty Lorries criss-crossing the country from distribution points.
• All our bagged magazines are wrapped in oxobiodegradable polywrap, which degrades in landfill.
• More bicycle racks have been fitted and space allocated for shower facilities. We are preparing to join a cycle-to-work scheme that saves both the company and employees money.
• We are implementing suggestions from The Carbon Trust. Energy-saving measures include shutting down computers centrally (after due warning) and reducing the opening hours of the buildings which were previously accessible 24 hours a day.
• Advertising departments have been instructed to e-mail Powerpoint presentations rather than hand out hard copy versions.
• Bathrooms: we are trialling a Dyson Airblade hand dryer to replace the volume of paper towels which are costing us £30,000 p.a. All toilets are fitted with Save-a-Flush.
• Kitchens: We are removing drinks machines on expensive leases and replacing them with Fairtrade loose consumables. Efficient water machines and milk machines have been installed, rather than milk in plastic bottles. Bottled water, which used to cost us £4,440 p.a., is no longer ordered.
• Our lighting is low energy and movement activated. Tighter time controls, more efficient boilers and reduced water temperatures save us £21,500 p.a. on our heating bill.
• Complete magazines are sent to London hospitals. Unwanted books go Oxfam; stamps to Help the Aged; mobile phones are recycled by Trees for Cities; surplus paint from shoots goes to the Community Repaint scheme and fabric to Fine Cell Work (a charity helping to rehabilitate lifers in prison).
• We have two wormeries on the roof, which take waste vegetable matter from the Good Housekeeping kitchens. The compost is bagged and sold to keen gardeners, with the proceeds forwarded to the Soho Family Centre.
