Julius Rutherfoord first introduced its Environmental Policy in 1994 and it was last updated in January 2007. This is not something we have to struggle with and squeeze our company into; it is something that is absolutely natural and part of the make up of the company.
We implement measures that reduce our carbon footprint, make good sense, are practical and benefit everyone involved.
Our Environmental Policy set outs the action plan and this section will tell you what actions we have taken.
In reducing our Environmental Impact the main areas we look at are:
1) Material & Chemical Use:
We recognise that not only do chemicals potentially harm the environment but they also leave residues where they are used, so our responsibility is both to our clients and the environment.
Obviously we use materials with no CFC's and we do not use bleaches, except in exceptional cases, (for example when fighting outbreaks of viral infections in educational premises).
You will be supplied with COSHH date sheets of all the cleaning materials used on your premises, should you wish to read these you will find the words: "not considered to be a danger to the environment""completely bio degradable" repeating time after time, when a new product or material is suggested to us, (as is always happening), we will not consider it unless the environmental data is present and an improvement on the existing.
With regards the supply of toilet rolls and hand towels the recycled products are of an equal quality to the standard ones, they are the same price, and what we do is if a client does not specify, they get the recycled product and they would not be unable to tell the difference.
2) Monitor our use of energy
We have calculated that over 60% of our energy use is based around transport and vehicles.
Accordingly in 2002 we decided to convert our company vehicles to LPG where practical and only buy new vehicles that could be converted to LPG.
This is not just hot air. All nine vans we currently run are LPG Dual Fuel Vehicles, eight of the fifteen cars we run are LPG Dual Fuel Vehicles with five of the remaining seven being Toyota Prius which are a hybrid electrical and petrol motor vehicle which combine outstanding fuel efficiency and an environmental awareness.
Our other great use of energy is the light by which we clean, cleaners are trained to turn off lights and machines, and to clean one area at a time, so being able to minimise light use. We also train cleaners to not leave taps running and to report leaks etc.
3) Waste & Recycling:
Obviously here we are looking at the waste streams.
Recycling waste in large quantities is easy, as you get paid for your white paper etc. However the majority of offices are small and here we have had to have been more inventive.
About five years ago we realised that there were lots of small offices that were producing just one bag of recyclable waste a week, an amount too small for most recycling companies to bother with. We went to our waste and recycling partners and asked them how we could work out a way of dealing with it.
We worked out a very simple solution whereby they supplied separate waste bags, which could be put out with the rubbish any day of the week and would be separated out by their collection operatives.
Now we have a system whereby we can recycle the following products:
White paper,
coloured paper,
cardboard,
newspapers,
magazines,
glass bottles & jars,
plastic bottles and
metal cans.
You can place them in just one sack and our recycling partners will sort and recycle your rubbish.
The Policy
Environmental Policy for Julius Rutherfoord & Co Ltd
Julius Rutherfoord & Co Ltd recognises that its activities impact upon the environment both through its routine internal operations, its infrastructural development, and through its influence and effects on the wider community. It acknowledges a responsibility for, and a commitment to, protection of the environment at all levels. Julius Rutherfoord & Co Ltd will comply fully with environmental legislation.
Awareness and Commitment
Julius Rutherfoord & Co Ltd will promote awareness within the company of the principles and objectives of this policy. To ensure that Julius Rutherfoord & Co Ltd employees and office holders are familiar with and implement this environmental commitment and objectives it will be distributed in the Employee information booklet. Energy and Water
To ensure energy is used efficiently and wherever possible reduce its use.
To encourage the increased use of renewable energy
To use water efficiently and with care
To avoid pollutants entering the drainage system
Waste
To reduce the production of material waste including unnecessary packaging
To encourage re-use, repair and recycling of materials including organic waste
To dispose of waste in a safe and responsible way
Materials and Resources
To buy products which are made in accordance with the principle of using material in a sustainable way and to use locally made goods where practicable
To take into account the lifetime costs of materials when repairing, altering or rebuilding premises
To maximise the proportion of paper used from sustainable sources and recycled materials
To offer electronic communication as an alternative to paper for those who are suitably equipped
Natural and Built Environment
To take appropriate opportunities to conserve and enhance the natural and built environment.
To be aware of local planning developments
To be sensitive of the impact of Julius Rutherfoord & Co Ltd activities on the local environment
Travel
To make every effort to reduce air pollution and energy consumption resulting from the use of the car by avoidance of any unnecessary travel and the use of energy efficient vehicles
To share car transport where possible
To support the expansion of good quality public transport, the provision of improved facilities for cyclists and pedestrians and local Green Travel Programmes.
Action Plan
In order to fulfil Julius Rutherfoord & Co Ltd Environmental objectives the following actions will be carried out over time:
Julius Rutherfoord & Co Ltd will regularly monitor its use of energy and maximise the efficiency with which it is used. This includes eliminating unnecessary energy usage, pursuing a programme of energy conservation, and reviewing water usage.
Julius Rutherfoord & Co Ltd will regularly monitor and review, wherever practicable, its acquisition, use and disposal of materials. When materials and equipment are purchased, preference will be given to items produced in ways, which cause least harm to the environment and which generate fewest waste materials. Other things being equal, preference will be given to suppliers in the region, so as to promote Julius Rutherfoord & Co Ltd links with the community.
Where distribution of information on printed-paper is essential, Julius Rutherfoord & Co Ltd will seek to make the most efficient use of the paper. The company is also seeking to develop non-paper based methods of distributing information.
All cleaning materials used by Julius Rutherfoord & Co Ltd will be biodegradable and harmless to the environment. No aerosol based products containing CFC based materials will be used. Julius Rutherfoord & Co Ltd will not use cleaning materials that have been tested on animals.
Julius Rutherfoord & Co Ltd will continue to seek the use of alternative fuel sources for company cars, e.g. LPG and hybrid vehicles.
The company will continue to pursue policies and practices by which it might enhance the local environment, and will be willing to disseminate details of good practices to interested parties outside the company. Above all, it will encourage every individual member of staff to participate in achieving the goals of its environmental policy.
The company directors will ensure the environmental policies are adhered to and if necessary make the amendments needed to ensure our environmental standards are of the highest quality.
This policy was formally updated by a resolution of the Board of Julius Rutherfoord & Co. Ltd. Dated 11th January 2007.
J.A.G. Beilby
Director
D.R. Morris-Marsham
Director
Julius Rutherfoord & Co Ltd, 12 Ingate Place, London, SW8 3NS, T: 020 7819 6700, F: 020 7819 6701
Julius Rutherfoord is proud to announce a new partnership providing cleaning services to Guildford College.
This is the start of a three-year contract to clean all buildings within the Stoke Park Campus.
Following a competitive tender process Julius Rutherfoord was selected on the basis of cost and proven ability in transforming cleaning standards at their existing college premises.
As well as Guildford College Julius Rutherfoord now cleans: South Thames College, Southwark College, Lewisham College & Lambeth College.
