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Lead partner awarded Green Mark – 8 August 2006

CTAD, the lead partner in this ESF/LSC London Central project, has just been awarded the Green Mark (Level 1) for good environmental practice in the workplace. The company has always had a strong commitment to sustainability, but the project gave the impetus to work towards this highly respected award.

What was involved?

It was a key part of CTAD’s role as lead partner to champion sustainability. With the support of ESF/LSC funding, the company attended workshops on sustainability and underwent an initial audit of its environmental practices.

As a result of the positive feedback received, the company was invited to extend its engagement in this area - beyond the immediate requirements of the project - and work towards achieving the Green Mark. The key steps in this process were as follows:

• appointment of an environmental champion from within CTAD staff to:
• drive the process and keep informed of current environmental legislation and good practice guidelines
• engage staff, suppliers and customers in reviewing their practices and advise them on all matters relating to environmental sustainability, not only to comply with government regulations relating to the disposal of hazardous waste, but also to encourage the ‘greening’ of company practices throughout all projects
• source recycling companies with sound environmental practices

• review of the company’s existing environmental policy
• development of an action plan
• implementation of improvements in environmental practice
• awareness-raising among staff, suppliers and customers about the company’s environmental policy, environmental impact and good practice
• application for the Green Mark
• Green Mark assessment visit - after which the company received a final report and the Green Mark award.

What next?

This is an annual award, so there is no resting on laurels. It is a continuing process and the company remains committed to:

• reducing
• re-using
• recycling.

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My experience of this role has been very positive. Colleagues have really engaged in the effort to get the Green Mark by, for example, participating in recycling, and by doing double-sided copying and printing wherever practicable. They have also come up with ideas for improving processes within the company. Overall, since my appointment, there has been a significant increase in colleagues’ willingness to discuss green issues more openly and to make changes not just at work but also at home – a great example of the ‘ripple effect’.

Jennifer Massey, environmental champion, CTAD