BUNAC’s commitment to the environment
BUNAC recognises that its operations have an effect on the local, regional and global environment.
In April 2007, BUNAC was awarded the highest award in recognition of its commitment to waste minimisation, recycling and local community enhancement as part of Islington Council's Tidy Business Standard scheme.
In the UK BUNAC has:
- Implemented policies to lessen that impact.
- Committed to furthering policies and measures in the future.
Specific Policies
As part of BUNAC’s UK Environmental policy, responsible procedures and practices have been implemented in the following key areas.
Recycling
BUNAC recognise that a primary part of its environmental strategy is sustainable waste management. BUNAC therefore has policies in place to reduce the consumption of, and incorporate the recycling and responsible disposal of, the following:
- Waste paper & cardboard.
- Plastic cups.
- Company mobile phones.
- Glass, cans & plastic bottles.
- Light bulbs.
- Office furniture – donated to a local organisation that re-use and recycle items to be passed on to community and voluntary sector groups.
- Recognised hazardous waste (including batteries, printer toners and aerosols).
- Redundant computer hardware in accordance with the EC Directive, WEEE. Donations are made to Computer Aid International for re-use in schools and community organisations in developing countries.
Energy Use
BUNAC recognises that a primary part of its environmental strategy is the responsible management of energy consumption. BUNAC aims to reduce consumption by promoting staff awareness of the organisation’s energy conservation policy and adopting the following measures:
- Reducing unnecessary lighting.
- Switching off of electrical equipment when not required.
- Minimising heating for office areas not in use.
- Using low energy CFL bulbs for office lighting, where possible.
- Maximising the efficiency of heating and cooling systems by regular service and maintenance.
Resources & Products
- In conjunction with ‘Climate Care’, BUNAC promotes a service that allows participants to compensate for the environmental impact of their flight. For a small payment, ‘Climate Care’ will offset the emissions from a flight by reducing an equivalent amount of greenhouse gases – making the flight climate neutral. Climate Care contributes to a portfolio of projects including forestry restoration programmes and renewable energy and energy efficiency projects in developing countries around the world.
- BUNAC has also made a commitment to contribute to the Climate Care carbon offsetting service in respect of staff and business flights.
- BUNAC is working toward the sole use of either recycled paper, or paper sourced from sustainable forests for general office use and in company promotional literature and envelopes.
- Office cleaning products and supplies. To source products from companies which have clear and demonstrable ethical and environmental policies.
- Purchase of company electrical items. To take the product’s energy efficiency performance as a guiding consideration
- Purchase of company vehicles. To include vehicle emission levels, and fuel efficiency considerations within the decision-making process.
The principles and practices expressed above form part of BUNAC’s UK Environmental Policy and are reviewed and evaluated on an annual basis. They form part of an ongoing commitment to review environmental performance and to introduce new environment protection measures wherever possible within BUNAC’s operations in the future.