Environmental Policy

Environmental Policy Statement

FTS is committed to minimising the impact of its activities on the environment.

The key points of its strategy to achieve this are:

• Minimise waste by evaluating operations and ensuring they are as efficient as possible.
• Minimise toxic emissions through the selection and use of its chemicals and the source of its power requirement.
• Actively promote recycling both internally and amongst its customers and suppliers.
• Source and promote a product range to minimise the environmental impact of both production and distribution.
• Meet or exceed all the environmental legislation that relates to the Company.
• Work towards offsetting the greenhouse gas emissions generated by our activities.

The operational detail of FTS Environmental Policy is as follows:

This Environmental Policy covers all aspects of Forensic Testing Service (FTS) Ltd operations from good housekeeping measures such as using both sides of paper prior to recycling, to ensuring that investments made are environmentally sound. The policy also commits us to promoting suppliers and services that adhere to environmentally sound ways of operating.

All staff has access to this Environmental Policy through the policy folder. The Environmental Policy will be regularly referred to in decision making a through team meetings that involve the 3Rs:- Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. It is included during the induction of new staff, board members and volunteers.

Forensic Testing Service (FTS) Ltd practises the principles of the 3Rs:

1. Reduce waste where possible by thinking about what we buy and how we use it.

• Nonessential documents and emails will not be printed.
• We will annually review which internal documents and external publications
  are essential, if they are not they will be cancelled thus reducing waste and
  saving money.
• We will endeavour to avoid disposable cups and food packaging bought by
  the office for events.
• We will ensure all printing and photocopying is done on double-sided paper.

2. Reuse wherever possible by trying to find a second life for items especially paper and office stationery.

• Scrap paper will be used in printers, for taking messages and for writing notes or draft
  copies of documents.
• Envelopes and packaging will be reused where possible.

3. Recycle as the least preferred option of the 3Rs.

• Forensic Testing Service (FTS) Ltd will have a nominated personnel who will have the responsibility to recycle paper, cardboard, toner cartridges and inkjets will also be recycled. If office furniture or IT equipment is being replaced then Forensic Testing Service (FTS) Ltd will seek to have those items reused or recycled.
• Forensic Testing Service (FTS) Ltd will buy recycled paper.
• We will endeavour switching all publications and general office papers to 100% post-consumer waste recycled papers, any additional purchasing costs will be balanced against reduced consumption.

Fair Trade

Forensic Testing Service (FTS) Ltd will seek to purchase fair traded and environmentally sound goods. When catering for events, food should be organic and tea and coffee should be fair-trade sourced.

Travel

Forensic Testing Service (FTS) Ltd will promote the use of cycling and walking as the main means of travel to local meetings. We will also ensure the use of public transport for the majority of journeys. For car journeys car sharing will be encouraged.

Energy

Forensic Testing Service (FTS) Ltd) will seek to minimise the use of energy in its activities:

• Over time electric light bulbs will be replaced with those that are more energy efficient.
• Lights and equipment will be switched on only when needed and not out of routine.
• Where possible PIR motion sensors will be installed on lighting to minimise use.
• Heating will be kept to a minimum and the thermostat will be regularly checked
  to ensure it is not set too high, thereby promoting the need to open windows.

Policy Review

• The environmental policy will need to be reviewed routinely every 24 months.
• All aspects of the policy are monitored as an ongoing practice.
• A regular review will be carried out by the management.