The Environment

The Environment

We recognise the importance of responsible environmental management and the obligation to protect the environment.

In particular we focus on:

• Property: reducing the use of energy and water consumption
• Transport: minimising emissions from our transport fleet
• Waste: seeking opportunities to minimise waste produced in all sections of the business
• Complying with all relevant environmental legislation, regulations, standards and other relevant codes
• Providing, where possible, the most efficient solutions for heating and pipeline processes
• Working with our suppliers towards ensuring effective environmental supply chain management
• Having technologies in place at B & H and BSS Industrial that monitor the fuel consumption of each commercial vehicle and this will be used to promote more fuel efficient driving
• Remote monitoring of electricity, gas and water consumption at all sites above a certain size to focus on usage reductions
• Installation of intelligent heating systems in new branches wherever possible

CO2 Direct Emissions(1)		Absolute tons 2009/10
Business operations	Fossil fuel use on site (2)	2,339
Owned transport	Fuel used by vehicles	20,152
CO2 Indirect Emissions(1)		Absolute tons 2009/10
Electricity	Yearly consumption of directly purchased electricity in KWh	12,868
Employee travel	Recorded miles of third party provided transport (air and rail) as well as self-recorded miles (road)	3,588
Total Emissions		38,947

⁽¹⁾ The Carbon Trust, carbon footprint calculator was used to convert usage into CO₂ emissions. Emissions disclosed cover circa 90% of Group sites.

⁽²⁾ To convert gas figures an average calorific value of 39.5 was used.

Supplied Water Use(3)		Absolute tons 2009/10
Supplied water	Actual or estimated volume of water used	17,199
Hazardous Waste(3)		Absolute tons 2009/10
Recycled / treated	Actual or estimated weight of waste generated	4.5
Non hazardous Waste(3)		Absolute tons 2009/10
Recycled	Actual or estimated weight of waste generated	678
Landfill	Actual or estimated weight of waste generated	10,783
Total		28,665

⁽³⁾ figures cover ca. 90% of Group sites.

We continue to hold ISO14001 accreditation for The BSS Group plc.

During 2009/10 we have continued our recycling programme and generated increased commitment from branch colleagues who have become much more aware of environmental issues. As a result we have substantially increased the quantity of card and plastic material that is baled and sent to recycling mills. We increased the amount of cardboard recycled from 279 tons in 2008/09 to 510 tons in 2009/10 and increased the amount of plastic recycled from 59 tons in 2008/09 to 124 tons in 2009/10. We had no prosecutions relating to environmental matters during the year. This reflects in part the fact that as a distributor our activities generally have a lower impact on the environment but also our proactive approach when planning and developing new branches.

We recognise that waste and emission output are our most significant environmental impact and are able to report the following:

PTS, part of the Domestic Division, exhibits renewable energy products at Green Energy Rooms in Nottingham and Newcastle as well as a Renewables branch in Aylesford. The Green Energy showrooms offer advice to make an informed choice about being socially responsible and cutting household bills when considering heating and plumbing options. Currently PTS and F & P offer a range of energy efficient products and emergent renewable technologies.

Renewable energy solutions are considered and installed at new branches subject to landlords' consent and favourable physical conditions of the building. In addition, we are now monitoring 'intelligent lighting' systems in branches. Intelligent lighting turns warehouse lights off automatically in areas which are not used for a period of time.

The BSS Group is a member of Business in the Community ('BITC'). BITC supports and challenges companies to integrate responsible business through their operations in order to have a positive impact on society and therefore be of 'public benefit'. We have participated in the 2009 Corporate Responsibility Index ('CRI'), the UK's leading benchmark for responsible business practice and are delighted to announce that we have achieved the Bronze band. The CRI helps companies to integrate and improve corporate responsibility throughout business operations, by providing a systematic approach to managing, measuring and reporting on business impacts in society and on the environment. Achieving Bronze means that BSS has demonstrated a clear outline of its mission, values and corporate responsibility principles, with clear roles and responsibilities being allocated right across the business.

The FTSE Group confirmed that the BSS Group plc had been independently assessed according to the FTSE4Good criteria, and continues to satisfy the requirements to be a constituent of the FTSE4Good index series. Created by the global index company FTSE Group, the FTSE4Good is an equity index series that is designed to facilitate investment in companies that meet globally recognised corporate responsibility standards. Companies in the FTSE4Good index series have met stringent social, ethical and environmental criteria, and are positioned to capitalise on the benefits of responsible business practice.