Huddersfield Fine Worsteds - Sustainability Policy

Principles

Our Sustainability Policy is based upon the following principles:

To comply with, and exceed where practicable, all applicable legislation, regulations and codes of practice.
To integrate sustainability considerations into all our business decisions.
To ensure that all staff are fully aware of our Sustainability Policy and are committed to implementing and improving it.
To minimise the impact on sustainability of all office and transportation activities.
To make clients and suppliers aware of our Sustainability Policy, and encourage them to adopt sound sustainable management practices.
To review, annually report, and to continually strive to improve our sustainability performance.

Practical Steps

In order to put these principles into perspective we will:

Travel and meetings

Avoid physically travelling to meetings etc. where alternatives are available and practical, such as using skyping, conference calls, and efficient timing of meetings to avoid multiple trips. These options are also often more time efficient, while not sacrificing the benefits of regular contact with clients and partners.
Reduce the need for our staff to travel by promoting the use of public transport as our offices are in accessible locations.
As vehicles are replaced the company will endeavour to purchase fuel efficient or electric vehicles with low emissions.
Looking to provide charging point for electric vehicles.

Purchase of equipment and consumption of resources

Minimise our use of paper and other office consumables, for example by double-siding all paper used, and identifying opportunities to reduce waste.
As far as possible arrange for the reuse or recycling of office waste, including paper, packaging, computer supplies and redundant equipment.
Aim to recycle as much waste as possible by providing separate recycling skips
Reduce the energy consumption of office equipment by purchasing energy efficient equipment and good housekeeping.
Factory is fitted with the latest LED lighting which reduces energy consumption.

Social Issues
All employees are issued with the Company Handbook which details the general rules and conditions laid down by the Company. This includes the policies relating to Equal Opportunities, Bullying and Health & Safety.

The Company is a member of local training groups and encourages employees to request training that would assist their development in the workplace. Working practices and advice to clients and suppliers

Ensure that any associates we employ take account of sustainability issues in their advice to clients.
Consolidate as many customer shipments as possible.
Provide a copy of our Sustainability Policy in our proposals to clients.
Require suppliers to comply with all relevant environmental legislation and approved codes of practice.
Actively request copies of suppliers Environmental policies.
Endeavour to purchase yarn from suppliers that guarantee using fibre that is farmed using best practice methods.
Guarantee that all our fabrics meet REACH regulations by insisting all suppliers provide goods and services that meet the required standards.

At management level, the MD has specific responsibility for policy development, and evaluation of performance. The company will take action to continually improve its environmental performance and set objectives and targets that are monitored and reviewed on an annual basis.

All employees are made aware of their individual responsibility to take reasonable care of themselves, the environment and others that may be affected by their work and co-operate with the company to fulfil its duties under Environmental legislation and this policy.