Environmental Policy

Netco
Green Policy

At Netco we recognise that our work may have a direct or indirect effect on the local, regional and global environment. We are committed to reducing any harmful effects on the environment and promoting the understanding of sustainability in its broadest context.

We are committed to helping people work, live, play, and learn in an environmentally-friendly way. We are reducing our own carbon footprint, engaging customers, partners and employees in efforts to manage our impact on the environment and supplying Telecom & IT solutions to help address climate change.

Our vision is to use technology to transform the way the world responds to its environmental challenges. If we are innovative and collaborative in our approach, we have a unique opportunity to help society live in an environmentally sustainable way.

What we do now

We have installed multi-functional devices (for faxing, printing and photocopying) in our offices that will reduce energy and paper usage
We scan all documents that come in via post and distribute via email
We recycle the majority of our office paper
We encourage home working where applicable
We buy reusable, refillable or recyclable products, and avoid using disposable items such as plastic plates, cutlery and cups
We look for products made from recycled materials
We shop locally where possible
We use green electricity suppliers, switch lights off wherever possible, use energy efficient light bulbs; and use electrical equipment efficiently
We regularly check for leaky taps, pipes and toilets and repair immediately
We promote public transport, cycling or walking as the preferred form of transport for staff where possible
We make use of the technology we promote, and use audio & video Business Conferencing
We have adopted a ‘no smoking’ policy and have ensured adequate air circulation

What we intend to do in the future

Reduce waste generated by 10%
Encourage all of our new & existing customers to use technology to enable them to reduce their carbon footprint, such as home working, & audio & video Business Conferencing
Reuse, or recycle, all of our incoming packaging materials (cardboard, polystyrene /cereal based beads, shredded paper, air bags, etc)
Provide quotations & proposals only via electronic PDF’s
Provide manufacturers product brochures only via electronic PDF’s
Where possible we will choose to source our materials from suppliers who operate in an environmentally friendly manner and who are geographically local to us to reduce delivery miles
We will measure and calculate our carbon footprint with a view to reducing this year on year

Compliance with European Union WEEE and RoHS Directives

In January 2003, the European Union adopted two important environmental directives -- the Directive on Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) and the Directive on the Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS).

In combination with additional Directives in the EU and other geographies, they represent an important milestone in providing a safer environment for future generations.

The WEEE Directive

The WEEE Directive obliges manufacturers, importers, and/or distributors of electronic equipment to label the equipment for recycling; to register in each EU country in accordance with the rules adopted to implement the WEEE Directive; and to provide for recycling of the electronic equipment at the end of its useful life.

The initial compliance date was August 13, 2005, although not all EU countries adopted the necessary implementation rules by that deadline. Netco is committed to complying with the WEEE Directive (as implemented in each EU member state). In accordance with the requirements of the WEEE Directive, Netco has established a relationship with the AER Worldwide (RENE) recycling scheme. The WEEE label and instructions for disposal are as follows;

This symbol on the product or its packaging indicates that this product must not be disposed of with other waste. Instead, it is your responsibility to dispose of your waste equipment by handing it over to a designated collection point for the recycling of waste electrical and electronic equipment. The separate collection and recycling of your waste equipment at the time of disposal will help conserve natural resources and ensure that it is recycled in a manner that protects human health and the environment.

If you have professional electronic equipment that you purchased from Netco or one of its subsidiaries or divisions that you wish to have picked up for recycling, please request, complete and submit the WEEE Recycle Pickup Request Form.

The RoHS Directive

The RoHS Directive complements the WEEE Directive by severely restricting the presence of specific toxic substances in electronic equipment at the design phase, thereby reducing the environmental impact of discarding such products at the end of their useful life.

Starting on July 1, 2006, this Directive significantly limited the use of lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), cadmium (Cd), hexavalent chromium (Cr6) and two bromine-containing flame retardants: PBB (polybrominated biphenyls) and PBDE (polybrominated diphenyl ethers).

Netco is committed to complying with this Directive and has worked in collaboration with its suppliers to evaluate the new restrictions, to identify relevant exemptions, and to substitute environmentally-benign, compliant alternative materials in its product components and manufacturing processes.