Introduction
Increasingly, sustainability is becoming a key issue for businesses and society in general, as people realise that current industrial, economic and social systems are storing up problems for the future. Sustainability is about looking forwards to new, better ways of doing things.
HSC Design Ltd company recognises that all businesses can have a negative impact on the environment.
As a predominantly online business we already have a recognised low level carbon footprint, however we recognise that even digital processes can have an environmental impact. We are committed, and enjoy, finding ways in which we can reduce the impact of our work on the environment both in the office, when travelling and in our work for clients.
We aim to do our best to work towards sustainability. We’re not perfect, but it is something that we take very seriously. We have a range of environmental, social and financial strategies to help us reduce our negative impact and give something positive back to the world.
We believe in the 3 fundamental concepts of sustainability:
Environmental - Reducing environmental damage and Co2 emissions to levels that can naturally be absorbed by nature
Social - Developing a healthy and fair global and local society
Financial - Creating a sustainable business model and stable prosperous economies
Environmental sustainability
Reducing carbon emissions
We are proud to be a carbon neutral business and contribute to the Ecologi scheme to offset our carbon emissions. We continue to work to reduce carbon emissions as much as possible in the ways outlined in this pledge.
We want to achieve net zero carbon by 2050 and aim to achieve net zero earlier if possible. We aim to do this in the following ways:
Management
We regularly assess our current emissions and develop a plan to reduce them.
We have partnered with Ecologi Carbon reduction scheme to offset our business and employee carbon emissions.
We have published this statement of our Environmental Policy to capture our goals.
We aim to establish an Environmental Management System (EMS) to monitor progress.
We raise awareness of environmental business issues amongst staff, and advise the members using our platforms to complete the ‘Sustainability in Home Staging and Interior Design’ course with online training at the CHSSP Academy.
We have adopted a sustainable procurement policy by reviewing procurement to include local and sustainable suppliers. Where this is not possible,
we review the sustainability policy of our suppliers in order to work with ethical brands.
We have developed remote services such as video consultations and CGI that can be delivered with no physical goods production or transportation.
Transport
We encourage alternatives to car use including travelling by public transport.
We promote walking and cycling.
We aim to upgrading our transport fleet to low emission vehicles by 2030.
We have a no-fly policy for business, and instead work with international clients, staff and partners using web communications and travelling over land if required, where possible by public transport.
We avoid unnecessary travel by making use of instant messaging, video and audio conferencing, telephone, and email.
Energy management
We are investigating switching to a green energy supplier.
We keep energy usage low. For example, making use of low energy light bulbs throughout and ensuring that computers are shut down after work.
We monitor utility use to identify areas for savings.
We aim to install lighting, heating and cooling controls to save energy.
We aim to review insulation to reduce the need for heating and cooling.
Resource use
We regularly review operations to reduce the use of raw materials.
We avoid single use items.
We have an active approach to waste monitoring and reduction.
We aim to purchase products with a lower environmental impact.
We are aware of the sustainable nature of materials used in furniture and soft furnishing production and aim to reduce use of items which are not sustainable.
We aim to use products which have eco labelling in place such as FSC, PEFC and the Environmental Performance Report.
We reduce by only buying products that we need, re-use by using second hand products where available and selling our unwanted items and sending items to
charity including partner Emmaus UK which has an environmental and social benefit by providing jobs and accommodation to previously homeless people.
We try to recycle or compost as much of our waste materials as possible.
We recycle equipment that is no longer of use to the company. For example, giving away items such as computers and printers that we no longer use.
Wherever possible our stationery is recycled or recyclable, hence minimising its impact on the Earth.
We use wood and paper only from sustainable sources where available.
We purchase products made with recycled paper. For example, paper towels, printer paper.
We try to avoid using physical stationery and printing documents wherever possible.For example, we send digital design schemes, invoices and quotes via email as PDF files (an email uses 1.7% of the energy that a posted letter uses according to Science focus).
We reuse wastepaper (from the printer) where possible, making use of the blank side for notes, etc.
We consider our digital carbon footprint and avoid unnecessary emails and video downloads. We reduce computer and technical upgrades in order to reduce this technical carbon footprint.
All of our cleaning products are natural, biodegradable and are bulk purchased when possible, to minimise packaging.
We use low energy appliances wherever available.
Working with others
We have existing collaborations andwork with others to achieve better environmental outcomes.
We aim to create other collaborations and to work with others to achieve better environmental outcomes.
Client sustainability advice
We aim to provide our clients with sustainable options for products and services.
Natural environment
We have trees, plants and hedges in our grounds.
We aim to harvest rain water or grey water to use on-site.
We have wildlife habitats on our grounds, e.g. a bird feeder, wild patches of grass.
Social sustainability
We value our team and make sure that they enjoy their work and can express themselves and fulfil their potential.
We have flexible hours working arrangements and work from home options so that team members have some flexibility over place and times of work.
We aim only to deal with ethical organisations, which treat their staff well.
We use fairtrade products where appropriate.
We comply with all equal opportunity laws and regulations.
We will review our bank and digital banking suppliers to ensure ethical standards.
Financial sustainability
We will build a strong, ethical, valuable brand.
We will avoid ethical liabilities by implementing our social and environmental sustainability policies.
We will implement simple and effective business systems so that the business runs efficiently.
Annual Review
As part of our Sustainability Policy and Net Zero Business Pledge we will carry out an annual review to assess progress against our commitments.
Business: HSC Design Ltd
Date Updated: 1st January 2023
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