Environmental Policy - Statement of Intent

This document has been produced by the Director with ultimate responsibility for Health and Safety and Environmental Matters. The company is committed to giving Environmental issues the same degree of importance as has been bestowed upon Health & Safety.

Coatsworth Landscapes Ltd has been supplying quality ground maintenance services to industrial premises throughout the North East of England since 1982.

We recognise that our activities, products and services generate environmental impacts. The aims of company are to improve the environment through landscaping, while doing the absolute minimum amount of damage to the environment during the execution of our works and to strive for an ever improving environmental performance. We will comply with all relevant legislation, regulations and Government guidance. We will also endeavour to follow industry codes of practice. This policy will be made available to the public on request.

Objectives of policy

The objectives of this policy document are:

• • To minimise the impact of our operations on the environment.

  • To raise awareness of environmental issues to all stakeholders and to provide.

  • Training and information to staff, suppliers and subcontractors.

  • To ensure compliance with relevant legislation.

  • To ensure that regular reviews of this policy and procedures are undertaken.

Methods of achieving objectives

The methods we will employ to achieve our objectives are:

• • To establish a team to carry out the review and the implementation of the procedures identified.

  • To carry out a review of all operations carried out, both on site and in the office environment. This will enable us to identify areas for improvement and to reduce waste.

  • To plan operations to minimise duplication of travel, and to explore alternative sources of fuel to reduce emissions.

  • To identify and implement control measures to minimise the impacts identified during the review process.

  • To purchase materials from a sustainable source.

  • To identify relevant legislation and as a minimum comply and a target exceed standards.

  • To actively promote re-use of materials where possible and maximising recycling both internally and amongst customers and suppliers.

  • To raise awareness of environmental issues among stakeholders by the implementation of training programs, and the provision of information on websites, brochures etc.

  • Work with our clients to establish an Environmental Management System compliant with the ISO 14001 standard.

The negative impacts of our business have been identified as follows:

• • Air pollution through the use of fuels both for transport and for the operation of the tools of our trade.

  • Air Pollution through the burning of the waste products of our work.

  • Noise Pollution through the operation of the tools of our trade.

  • Land Pollution through the disposal of the waste products of our business.

  • Water Pollution through the excessive and / or incorrect use of fertilisers, herbicides and pesticides.

  • Environmental damage to the existing trees, flora and fauna in the areas in which we are working.

The company has a commitment to the reduction of all the above by the implementation of the following policies:

• • Improvement of energy and fuel efficiency.

  • Improve resource efficiency and use of materials from sustainable sources where possible.

  • Improvement of awareness and understanding of environmental issues amongst employees and recycling materials wherever possible, on sites and in our offices.

  • When working on a site it is our intention to keep the site as tidy as possible at all times and to avoid causing a nuisance to our neighbours.

  • Control measures will be put in place where possible to minimise pollution from emissions of dust and noise.

  • In environmentally sensitive areas, spill mats will be placed under plant and machinery during fuelling and/or maintenance operations.

Air Pollution (Vehicles and Machinery):

• • All newly purchased vehicles and machinery will run on diesel or unleaded fuel.

  • Regular and thorough maintenance of all plant, tools and equipment.

Vehicles Emissions:

• • All our vehicles are to be regularly serviced by competent technicians to the manufacturer’s specification.

  • When procuring new vehicles we will favourably consider those vehicles with greater fuel economy and lower emissions before making any purchasing decisions.

  • All our vehicle emissions will be checked during the MOT to conform to Ministry of Transport guidelines on emissions.

Machinery Emissions:

• • All mechanical equipment is to be regularly checked and serviced to make sure it is working to its optimum performance.

  • The correct disposal of all wastes products through approved channels or even licensed waste disposal operatives if warranted.

  • The correct use of all chemicals and the training of all operatives to certificate level in their use.

Trees:

• • Trees which are felled in the woodland areas will normally be left to provide a micro environment for plants and animals.

  • Small material from felling/pruning will be chipped, shredded or composted.

  • Burning of material from felling/pruning will be kept to an absolute minimum, except in the case of diseased wood.

Grass:

• • The grass clippings will be left on the grass to replace the nutrients to the soil, thereby avoiding the need for fertilisers.

Water Contamination:

• • No waste liquid from whatever source, particularly herbicides or pesticides must be used or disposed of in such a way that it may contaminate the ground and water courses.

Engine Oil:

• • Waste engine oil generated by machinery maintenance in the workshop is to be recycled through local contractors.

Herbicides:

• • Herbicides are widely used in landscaping. The use of all pesticides and herbicides will be kept to a minimum.

  • The use of all chemicals will be monitored closely and regular reviews will be made in the search for alternatives which are less polluting.

  • Only those chemicals approved by M.A.F.F. will be used at Coatsworth Landscapes Ltd and wherever possible herbicides such as Roundup Pro-Biactive which are deactivated on contact with the soil will be used.

  • All herbicides will be applied by competent members of staff who are all NPTC PA1&6 qualified sprayers.

Snow & Ice Clearance:

• • Salt will be applied to remove snow and ice, as defined in a written programme.

  • Excessive use of salt kills the grass; therefore a careful balance needs to be maintained to apply sufficient but not excessive quantities.

It is our aim that through training and practices our employees are made fully aware of our commitments.

The policy is subject to review every 12 months by the Director Responsible to monitor its success and to an annual major review in conjunction with Managers and Supervisors.

Signed: David Coatsworth

Director Responsible for Health & Safety and Environmental Issues