Springboard Consultancy Environmental Policy

We have always had the policy of being environmentally sensitive and responsible and aim to be ahead of the field on these issues.

We were the runner up in the 'Devon Environmental Business Awards' in 2004 and are currently registered with 'Envision' as a company actively working towards the very highest environmental practice.

Overall objectives:

• To become a 'carbon-neutral company'
• To have the smallest possible environmental 'footprint'
• To actively promote environmentally-friendly ways of doing business and managing our premises.

The main areas of our policy and practice are:

1. Our purchase of energy.

We buy our electricity from 'Good Energy' (100% from renewable sources) whilst solar panels and a ground source heat pump heat our water.

The wood we burn is from our own hedges and their carbon contribution is offset against the 800 trees we have planted.

We are exploring how we can generate our own electricity (wind turbine or PV panels) and aim to get rid of our use of oil in the next 18 months.

2. Our use of energy.

To buy the most energy efficient appliances, insulation and draught proofing. and to use energy thoughtfully and carefully.

To replace existing light bulbs with energy efficient ones.

Our policy on heat and light is to use the minimum possible. We need to turn thermostats down and wear thicker clothes in winter. Lights should only be put on if necessary.

Reduce the appliances left on ‘stand-by’. Computer screens are turned off whenever they’re not in use.

We have replaced the oil-fired Aga with an electric Aga, greatly reducing our use of oil.

When refurbishing rooms, to reuse materials whenever possible, and to heavily insulate buildings.

3. The purchasing of transient items such as stationery.

We buy recycled paper items, natural soaps and cleaning products, biodegradable bin liners, etc.

We buy whole, fresh, local, seasonal and organic food whenever possible. ‘Foodmiles’ are an issue when buying food for the courses.

We buy 100% recycled paper from an ethical source for our photocopier.

We always buy environmentally-friendly stationery, pens, post-it’s etc., etc. We buy cardboard items such as wallets, ring binders and recycled cardboard folders instead of plastic.

We use a local, environmentally-friendly printing company who uses recycled paper and vegetable-based, water soluble inks.

4. The purchasing of capital items such as furniture and equipment.

Our policy is to actively consider the environmental impact of any purchases of furniture and capital equipment.

Absolutely no plastic, MDF, chipboard or laminate!

We research and buy the lowest energy-rated computers, screens, appliances etc.

Some furniture is made from old floorboards. Garden furniture is from European FSC Oak, to reduce airmiles.

5. Our disposal of waste and rubbish.

We recycle all paper, cardboard, glass, tins, batteries and plastic bottles.

In the office we also recycle toner cartridges and old office equipment.

Our organic waste goes into the compost heaps. Confidential documents are shredded and composted.

6. The fabric of our buildings.

All renovations and repairs are done to the highest environmentally-friendly standards of materials and processes.

All scrap wood is used to heat the buildings or recycled. All materials, such as stone, lintels etc are saved for reuse. Very little is thrown away.

7. The interiors of our buildings.

All wall, ceiling and floor finishes are natural paints, waxes and varnishes Natural fabrics are used for curtains, floors and furnishings.

Buildings and furnishings are low-allergy as well as environmentally-friendly.

All wood has to be FSC registered. No MDF or chipboard.

8. The management of our land.

Our land is managed organically. We have restored hedgerows, installed 52 bird boxes and grow vegetables organically. We have planted a native deciduous woodland and a native orchard with disappearing varieties of fruit. We have planted over 800 trees in total.

We have a ten year ‘Stewardship’ contract with DEFRA to manage the land organically and to restore original features.

We have restored the old waterwheel, using oak and local slate.

9. Travel.

This is a vulnerable area for us. We use public transport wherever possible, but we are based in a remote area, requiring travelling long distances and we all drive petrol fuelled cars several miles almost every day.

We also work overseas, requiring some use of air travel, but we use video conferencing instead, whenever possible.

We use trains and share cars whenever possible.

We are investigating hybrid cars.

Meanwhile, we are offsetting our carbon emissions based on our car miles and air miles, as a short term solution.

Updated as at March 2008