30 January 2008. The National Magazine Company, the Hearst Corporation's principle business in the UK, has been awarded a prestigious environmental business certificate in recognition of its commitment to green principles.
The magazine publisher is one of the first in the UK's magazine publishing sector, and among only a small percentage of businesses around the world, to have achieved the ISO14001 Certificate for Environmental Policies and Standards.
To achieve certification, companies must promote good environmental practices company-wide through its day-to-day office management, and encourage all stakeholders in their supply chain to adopt best environmental practices whenever possible.
The National Magazine Company (NatMag) has been committed to environmental issues since 2003 when it first set up a recycling scheme and appointed a volunteer band of 40 green monitors.
In the years since, green initiatives have been added and developed, and an Environmental Committee chaired by Chief Executive Duncan Edwards, was formed in March 2007. Counting towards the award of ISO14001 were a number of achievements including:
• The establishment of two wormeries which takes waste vegetable matter from the Good Housekeeping kitchens. The compost is bagged and sold to keen gardeners, with the proceeds forwarded to charity.
• Changing freight providers to reduce the number of empty lorries criss-crossing the country from distribution points.
• Fitting more bicycle racks and allocating space for shower facilities. NatMag is offering a cycle-to-work scheme that saves both the company and employees money.
• Kitchens: Removing drinks machines and replacing them with Fairtrade loose consumables. More efficient water machines have been installed, and milk machines rather than plastic bottles of milk.
• Installing low energy and movement activated lighting. Tighter time controls, more efficient boilers and reduced water temperatures.
The National Magazine Company's Chief Executive, Duncan Edwards says, "NatMag is committed to the environment and this certificate is an important achievement in our environmental programme. As one of the foremost consumer magazine publishers in the UK, reaching 13.5 million readers every year, it is vital that we lead by example. We hope this achievement sends a clear message to our readers, advertisers, stakeholders and staff that we care greatly about the future of this planet and are doing all we can to promote and maintain environmentally responsible practices."
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