Information for clients

Sustainability statement

Policy

NFER has a sustainability policy and associated action plan which is updated annually and includes formal reporting of outcomes to the Senior Management Team and the Board of Trustees.   An environmental management system based on BS8555 is being developed to target future improvement more specifically and more accurately measure their effectiveness.  This process is currently being led by a management group that includes a representative of the Staff Council.   NFER Staff are engaged in the various environmental initiatives, many of which have been suggested by them, through a staff forum. The Terms of Reference of both groups are available upon request.

Recycling

NFER has well established recycling procedures for paper products, glass, fluorescent tubes, batteries, toner cartridges, metal, cans and plastic. We also recycle computer equipment and office furniture to community groups, local schools and through the Green Standards Organisation.  Oxford Brookes University audited our non-recycled waste in July 2007 and have suggested ways of further reducing what we send to landfill. As a result an accelerator composter for food and garden waste has been purchased.
 
Travel plan

A company travel plan for the headquarters site in Slough was first introduced in 2001. The travel plan was reviewed and updated in 2005 following consultation with staff.  To promote alternatives to car travel, we have provided better on site footpaths, external lighting, loans for cycle purchase and season tickets, cycle storage facilities and showers. A car share scheme was launched in 2006.

Landscape and biodiversity

In 2003 a major investment was made to improve the gardens of the Slough site involving planting hundreds of trees and shrubs and embarking upon a landscape management programme.  This is of benefit to our staff but also has improved the neighbourhood for local residents and attracts a wide variety of wildlife.  We received a gold award in the business and commercial sector of the Slough in Bloom competition in 2007.  In the Autumn of 2008 work will commence on Phase 2 of this ambitious project which includes a modern interpretation of the previous Victorian garden on the site and which will extend the planted areas and introduce a large natural  water feature into the scheme.   Paths will be recreated to provide a circular walk around the 5.5 acre site.  All paving, car parks, and roadways on the site are constructed from permeable surfacing materials

Purchasing

NFER actively seeks to appoint suppliers with a good track record in sustainability.  For example, our stationery supplier offers a range of recycled products which we encourage staff to use through a competitive pricing strategy.

Energy

As part of our ongoing commitment to introduce sustainable practice, electricity supplies to our buildings in Slough and York went green in July.  This means that our supplier, Scottish and Southern plc, will match every unit of electricity used at our sites with a unit generated from a renewable wind or hydro source and supply it back into the national grid.  

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