Introduction
At Tekeurope, we are aware that one of the largest challenges of our time is the global ecological and climate crisis. We understand that we all have a responsibility, businesses included, to combat this issue.
Therefore, we have set out a plan which will be structured to allow us to not only set an agenda but will also include reviews so that we can make sure that our aims become reality.
Our Goal
To reduce the environmental impact from our business operations by reducing unnecessary waste, investing in greener technologies, and encouraging our workforce to take proactive steps.
Our Approach & Commitment
1.Identify
2.Implement
3.Manage
4.Communicate
Our approach is to identify the things we are doing well and the areas we can improve in. We have then set objectives which we hope to achieve by implementing our ideas in our day to day working lives. These set objectives will then be reviewed every quarter to help us manage them, allowing us to adjust our approach if we feel necessary. Our final aim is to communicate, not only by educating and encouraging our employees to make small changes, but also sharing our aims with our stakeholders. It is our hope that by communicating our aims with our suppliers and customers that we may be able to inspire other companies to reflect on their own operations and see if improvements can be made.
Responsibility
Even though there will be a few dedicated members of staff responsible for devising and communicating the aims and objectives, it is our view that the entire team at Tekeurope have the responsibility to ensure they are implemented and adhered to.
Procedures already in place
Zero to landfill
In 2016 the UK generated more than 220 million tonnes of waste. Nearly a quarter of this, just under 55 million tonnes, ended up in landfill. As part of the company’s commitment to lower our environmental impact, Tekeurope has partnered with Devon Contract Waste to utilise their Zero to Landfill solutions.
Zero to Landfill ensures no waste produced goes to landfill. Most of the waste collected can be recycled which produces raw materials for the manufacturing sector and reduces the carbon footprint of the businesses involved. The waste that cannot be recycled is processed for energy ensuring nothing is sent to landfill.
Recycling our waste components
In our industry, waste computer components are inevitable, however it is how you deal with the waste that is important. Our surplus components are split into their different categories, some are sold to be repurposed and the remainder is sent to Devon Contract Waste to be recycled where possible.
Paperless billing & statements
Up until 2017 like many businesses, our invoices, statements and remittances were printed and sent out via post to our customers and suppliers. During 2017 we upgraded our software and systems to enable us to create all these documents as PDFs rather than physical paper copies. This move had a double effect – not only did it significantly reduce our paper and ink usage, it also saved time making our credit control more efficient.
ISO 14001
In October 2019, we gained a second ISO accreditation, ISO 14001. Gaining the environmentally focused certification reflects the measures the company has taken in recent years to reduce its environmental impact including zero to landfill waste disposal and the widespread recycling of scrap computer components.
ISO 14001 is an internationally agreed standard that sets out the requirements for an environmental management system. It helps organisations improve their environmental performance through more efficient use of resources and reduction of waste.
Our aims for 2021 -2023
New Roof
In addition to the extensive refurbishment works that took place in 2019, we aim to have a new roof installed at our headquarters in the first quarter of 2021. This will have many benefits including better insulation, which will reduce heat loss. This in turn will reduce our heating costs and provide an improved working environment for our staff and visitors.
Solar Panels
The new roof has been designed to house solar panels, which we aim to have installed in the weeks following the completion of the new roof. By making an investment in solar panels, we will be able to reduce our day to day running costs. It has been calculated that we will be able to power our entire headquarters from the renewable energy produced.
Electric Company Cars
With the new electric solar panels installed, our aim is to have all our company cars switched to electric. New electric charging points will be installed at our headquarters and these will be powered by the renewable energy produced by the new solar panels.
New Electric Van
Once the company cars have been changed to electric, we will start a period of research into changing our company van to electric, which again would be partially powered by the electricity created on site.
Aim to become a paperless business (where possible)
By introducing new software and training where necessary, we want to enable our staff to be able to reduce printing to an absolute minimum. This will not only help to reduce our demand for paper and ink, but also reduce the associated costs too.
Another benefit would be improved staff efficiency when working from different locations, allowing us to work from home more often, reducing the need to travel which will have a positive impact on our carbon footprint.
