Environmental Policy
Tattershall with Thorpe acknowledges that our activities may have an adverse impact on the environment and that we can take steps to minimise those impacts. We will strive to make a positive contribution to protecting and enhancing the local and global environment through implementing the following measures:
Waste
1. Reduce
- Non-essential documents and emails will not be printed
- We will endeavour to avoid disposable cups and food packaging
- We will ensure all printing and photocopying is double-sided
- We will use phone, email or face-to-face discussion for communication wherever possible to reduce paper use.
2. Reuse
- Wherever possible we will try to find a second life for items through local charitable reuse schemes or donations to local voluntary organisations (i.e. furniture, computers, mobile phones and other electrical goods)
- Scrap paper used on one side only will be used for printing internal or draft documents and for making note pads etc.
- Envelopes, stationery and packaging will be used where possible
- Items will be repaired rather than replaced whenever possible
3. Recycle (only after considering reducing or reusing)
- Paper, cardboard, cans, plastic, glass, textiles, ink & toner cartridges, batteries and electrical equipment will be recycled whenever possible
- We will compost our green and organic waste
Purchasing
- We will purchase fairly-traded goods where available
- We will buy organic, locally produced goods where possible
- We will strive to increase the proportion of goods and services purchased which are less harmful to the environment, within financial limitations. Purchasing decisions will be based on the choice of materials or products that have the lowest environmental impact in production, transportation, use and disposal
- We will influence our direct environmental impacts by ‘greening’ our supply chain, e.g. encouraging the supply chain to take up initiatives such as adopting environmental policies and providing environmentally friendly products
Travel
- We will promote cycling to local meetings
- We will promote the use of public transport where available
- Car sharing will be encouraged where possible
- We will strive to utilise vehicles with high fuel efficiency figures, low CO2 emissions and investigate the use of more environmentally friendly alternative fuels
Energy
- We will seek to minimise the use of energy in all our activities
- Standard electric light bulbs will be replaced with those that are more energy efficient
- Lights and equipment will be switched on only when in use and not left on ‘standby’
- Heating will be kept to a minimum and the thermostat will be regularly checked to ensure it is not set too high
- New electrical goods purchased will be ‘A’ rated where available
- Any construction projects should conform to the highest sustainable design and construction standards possible within the available budget and will utilise reclaimed materials where possible
- We will investigate the appropriate use of renewable energy and/or a green energy supplier
Water
- We will conserve water where possible
Biodiversity
- We will endeavour to protect, restore and enhance biodiversity
- When possible, native, wildlife friendly species will be used for planting schemes
- To prepare for potential climate change impacts, drought tolerant species will be used wherever possible
Hazardous Materials and Chemicals
- We will take all possible measures to not expose the environment to chemicals that can harm people or nature
The successful implementation of this policy depends on the awareness and commitment of all staff, volunteers and council members. Hence, all new staff, volunteers and council members will be made aware of its existence and on joining the parish council they will be reminded that they must conform with it on a regular basis. The success of the policy will be evaluated on an annual basis.