The Avalon Group offices in Teesside, North Yorkshire, West Yorkshire and Cumbria, occupy a small amount of space on a huge planet. It’s easy to assume that our contribution to the problem is equally as small, and can easily lead us to justify a lack of effort to change behaviour.
But just a small amount of effort, can make a difference. That’s why The Avalon Group is trying to make our working practices greener. The Avalon Group Environmental Taskforce is a group of staff and customers who have put together an action plan to create a culture of environmental awareness throughout the organisation. This ethos is encouraged beyond our working existence, into our private lives and wider networks, to maximise its effects.
One of the main objectives of the Environmental Taskforce is to encourage a positive change in behaviour, using simple, easy ideas that make a difference. We have called these our ‘Going Green Pledges’ which are rewarded, if competed, with a Going Green badge!
Our Corporate Pledges:
Green Advocates
- An Environmental Task Force has been assembled to monitor and continue to grow The Avalon Group's green initiatives
- Employees are all trained on The Avalon Group's green policies, as included in our Employee Handbook
- The Avalon Group's employees get involved in the green issues of the community, as an extension of our corporate green commitment
Energy Usage
- Where possible, we take advantage of abundant natural light with large windows in our space, resulting in limited office light being consumed
- All employees turn off computers when not in use and any other electrical equipment; computer monitors are encouraged to be set to "Power Save" mode after 15 minutes of non-use
- Where possible, all standard light bulbs have been replaced with compact florescent bulbs or low-voltage halogen that consume less energy.
Offices
- We encourage travel to work by bicycle, on foot or by public transport
- We try to walk or cycle to appointments where possible, or book appointments so that we can car share. Our Scarborough office even has an office bicycle to share!
- Personal pick-up of items for offices throughout our regions, versus post or delivery service is encouraged at all times
- Plants fill our office space to enhance the environment, not only assisting in cleaning the office air, but also absorbing indoor pollutants
- We use water hippos in our toilet cisterns to reduce the use of water
Recycle & Reuse
- Where possible, we use 100% recycled paper or partially recycled
- We use only ink cartridges that are recycled or refilled
- All employees are trained to double-side print, wherever possible
- 90% of communications are done via email (or the telephone)
- With any inbound deliveries we receive, packaging is either recycled or reused
- A corporate internal recycling programme is in place for paper, plastic, cardboard and bottles, and all employees participate
- All food, coffee and tea available from the office is organically certified and fair trade
- Reusable mugs, plates and cutlery are used throughout our office for the consumption of meals, snacks, coffee and tea
- All canned and plastic food packaging is recycled
- As a fridge and heating provisions are available in our kitchen, litter-less lunches are strongly encouraged
Customers
- We actively encourage customers to follow our green commitment
- Many customers are supported to grow their own fruit and vegetables
- We are setting up an allotment project to involve customers in growing fruit and vegetables
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